How To Help Your Family Unplug More
Worried about how much your kids are glued to their devices? Research shows that screen time has doubled for kids during the pandemic, leaving a lot of parents concerned. If you’re one of them, consider one of these ways to help your entire family unplug more - including you.
- Set family screen time rules - Moms and dads often make rules for their kids about when they’re allowed to be on their devices, but it seems unfair for the kiddos when parents aren’t willing to do the same. So instead of just regulating what the youngsters are allowed to do, come up with rules as a family for the whole family to follow? The kids may even be more likely to stick to them if they help create them.
- Plan tech-free activities - Habits like screen time can be hard to break, so when everyone’s getting used to unplugging, fill the time with fun family activities. Game nights are an easy fit since they don’t require any electronics to play, planning some family reading time and having the kids help out with dinner time tasks can promote that family bond as well.
- Interactive story time - If your kids need something more stimulating to replace their screen time, try taking turns telling stories out loud as a family. Everyone listens while one person performs and you could set a timer and swap out family members so it’s a combined family story.
- Embrace the great outdoors - Outside activities can boost physical and mental health and studies show families who spend time outside together experience less depression than those who don’t. Taking walks, going for hikes, playing sports in the backyard and camping are all fun ways to unplug with the kids.
- Make it into a contest - Want the kids to follow screen time rules? Make it a competition against their parents! There are lots of ways to do this, like seeing who can use their screen the least, and you can keep track of time using apps like Google Family Link. And don’t forget a prize for the winner!
Source: Moms.com