Unplugged to get connected

This summer has been great. We are trying something new. I don't know about you but my children argue and fight one another too much. I also noticed their use of manners and respect was diminishing. I thought, what can I do? I thought that we needed to reconnect as a family. They needed to re-connect with our values (respect, truth, love), with the academic information they learned this year, and with the new information necessary for a successful upcoming year. We also needed to re-connect as a family.

What did we do? We got unplugged. We cancelled our cable subscription, thus making watching TV impossible. Along the same lines, I deactivated my Facebook account. We implemented a stipulation that screen time (computer, Ipad, video games) could only be used after chores and 1-hour of study time were completed. No more than 1-hour of screen time could be used in a day, except for special occasions. Ah, this meant no more reminding them, at noon, to brush their teeth.

We have been unplugged for over month. There is less arguing, their rooms stay clean, they are dressed and ready for the day by 10am. The respect is returning. The icing on the cake is that their teachers won't have to spend the first half of the school year reviewing what they forgot from the year prior with them. They spend more time outside playing while honing social skills, problem-solving skills, and resolving conflicts. Not only have the kids benefited but mommy has had a super productive and balanced summer too.

My challenge for you is to get unplugged to get connected. Choose a plan that works best for you.

Stay informed!