I sometimes say to my kids, “We’re having no electronics night.” Inevitably, one of them will start down the ‘electricity’ path, saying, “Oh, so we can’t use lights? How are you going to cook dinner without the stove? Hmmm?” This conversation usually carries on until bedtime as my kids try to twist this into something horrible. According to them, this is the grandest injustice and abuse that you can impose on children.
Well guess what! We’re going on vacation… WITHOUT ANY ELECTRONIC PACIFIERS!
Yes, I know we have a 7 hour drive. Read a book. Play I spy. Do licence plate poker. Count animals. Look for abandoned houses, because we still have the camera and I’ll stop for those. Fight with your brother. Sing a song. Yes, without your electric guitar. Draw a picture. Write in your journal. Be creative! Use your imagination! (yes, that’s a Spongebob reference)
We’ll all come back well rested or really crabby and in need of therapy. See you soon!
Careful – this may have consequences such as
1) Meaningful *uninterrupted* conversation
2) A new realization and appreciation of being creative
3) Learning to be in the same space with someone and actually looking at them and interacting instead of doing that with your phone.
Sounds pretty dangereous.
Love it! Glad I contributed to the low-tech nature of the trip!! Have a ball!!!!
I AGREE AND TEND TO DO THIS ALSO WITH MY KIDS AND WHEN I DO IT TAKES A FEW DAYS AND THEN I REALIZE THEY ARE MY CHILDREN AGAIN AND THEY ARE HAPPIER ALSO, FROM TIME TO TIME I SEE THEM SLIPPING AWAY INTO THAT WORLD OF OURS THEN I BRING THEM BACK BY ELIMINATING ALL TV, GAMES, EVERYTHING AS SAY GO OUTSIDE OR DO SOMETHING ACTIVE………………… : ) SOMETIMES GET THE GAME SORRY OUT THIS CURES IT!