Lately I’ve been worried about how much time my kids are spending in front of the T.V. and the computer. I’m afraid their sweet little eyeballs are going to get all bugged out if we don’t cut back. We’ve slowly fallen into the trap of computer games and e-mails and movies and they just aren’t using their noggin’s for anything more taxing than strategizing against their computer enemy or figuring out where the letter W is on the keyboard.
So this morning I announced “NO SCREEN TIME! NO COMPUTERS! NO MOVIES!” “I want you to use your minds and be creative today!”
They looked as if I just announced all they were eating for the day was bread and water.
They spent the first hour wandering around the house looking like zombies. They acted like they were lost and didn’t know what to do. But eventually the creative juices started flowing again.
They played and read books and laughed and wrestled but the biggest hit of all was playing “Fat”. They got some of their dad’s old t-shirts and then stuffed them with pillows and blankets until they could barely move.
So this morning I announced “NO SCREEN TIME! NO COMPUTERS! NO MOVIES!” “I want you to use your minds and be creative today!”
They looked as if I just announced all they were eating for the day was bread and water.
They spent the first hour wandering around the house looking like zombies. They acted like they were lost and didn’t know what to do. But eventually the creative juices started flowing again.
They played and read books and laughed and wrestled but the biggest hit of all was playing “Fat”. They got some of their dad’s old t-shirts and then stuffed them with pillows and blankets until they could barely move.
Then they bounced off the furniture, sumo wrestled each other and when Gabe wet his pants from laughing so hard they decided to call it quits.
I can’t say that they used their brains a whole lot more but at least they were playing together.
And yes, I eventually let them each have 30 minutes of screen time today.
I’m not such a mean Mommy after all.
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6 comments:
That is so funny!!! I thought for a minute that he had your husband's underwear on the bottom- I was wondering if your hubby had been a LOT heavier in the past or something. I then decided that your son had a t shirt on the bottom as well. My kids would LOVE this game!
Hilarious, Gayle! My boys love to do stuff like this!
hee hee!
We need to cut back on the TV around here, too! I am so glad it is warming up outside! Now we can atleast get out of the house for something other than Walmart!
Blessings and enjoy your garden!!!
I thought my kids were weird! I've never heard of this game yet!! Did they make it up?
Hysterically funny!
I love my new blog template!
Does it look like me??
Leanne
We battle "screen time" as well...I think it's universal, at least to our country. Last summer I knew it would be a struggle the entire summer if I didn't start something the first day. So, I came up with "TV tickets" and "Game tickets" Each child was given one TV and one Game ticket each morning. Each ticket was worth 30 minutes. If they wanted to watch a full length show (eg, Cars, the Incredibles, etc) they had to pool their tickets. They were allowed to watch each other's tv choice, but if they decided to play a game on the computer or game console together, it took both people's tickets. No more "Just one more show??" No more "Just to the next level..." It worked like a charm. On rainy days when they were driving me NUTS, I used "Mom's ticket" and gave them extra time if need be...but that was always up to me, not them. I can't even tell you how many days they didn't even use all their tickets! I'm definately using this system again this summer. During the school year it's not such a big problem because they've been cooped up in school all day and they just want to play!
Loved the "fat" game!
Blessings-Andie
HILARIOUS!!!! I rolled at those pics!
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