If you don't feel comfortable sharing, that's fine, but how much time do you think you spend on a screen each week? I really hate my hours, considering my job, which is why I know it's important to spend time offline. Last night, for example, I spent an hour shredding documents with my kids. It was a blast, especially when they were jumping around the room in their animal costumes.
Aw, that's so sweet! Spending time offline can be as simple as that, nothing fancy, just being in the moment with the humans around you. To answer your question, a lot!!! lol If I am working/at home, it's a lot more and probably the average time. If I'm out and about, I don't bother with screens that much, if at all, and it's a lot less. I don't beat myself too much about how much time, minutes, hours, I spend online anymore. It just made me feel like shit. I cherish the progress I have made like no longer having to maintain a character on social media, being totally present when around people, I can spend a whole day without screens and not think about it, no news disturbing my day, etc. Feels good.
That's awesome. I love reading this. I do think sometimes it's good to have set rules and guidelines, like how in asking my son to detox from screens over the next week or two, I wanted to jump in alongside him, because let's be honest: I need it too. Even if it's just not using YouTube or watching my weekly shows. But I will say being in my industry, it has been hard NOT to be on LinkedIn, because I've been able to help people break into the industry, mentor others, etc. I hate/love it.
That's pretty cool! How old is your son? Does he understand the concept of detoxing from screens? But yeah I relate to the feeling of screens being imposed on you like you can't escape. The Indian Matchmaking show I mentioned, the matchmaker asks the people what they are looking for in a partner and after they finish listing their (sometimes very long) requirements, she tells them, okay but you only get 60-70% 😂 Your hate/love comment made me think of that. We can't have it all, unfortunately lol
He's six. And he does, because we've talked about dopamine, attention, etc. But of course, when we first told him he was going to detox, he asked about his sister (2). And of course, yes, she is going to not have screen time either.
To be fair, our kids aren't addicted in the traditional sense. They're lucky to get 45-60 minutes per day, and we're pretty intentional with what they watch. But over the past two years, we've changed our minds about a lot, and we made that clear to him: he isn't doing anything wrong, but as parents, we are allowed to change our minds about how they're being raised, and this is something we're changing.
And no, we absolutely can't! But we can definitely prioritize the important things, and not being "alone together" should be at the top of the list.
Only six!? That's amazing! Kids addicted to devices is much more frustrating to witness than with adults. Good on you for giving your son, and daughter in the future, the chance to come out ahead of the attention economy. They have no idea how good they have it lol and hope they appreciate it more and more as they get older.
Please let me know if you want to guest write here on parenting and devices. That'd be such a great topic for any parents that might read here.
I find joy in the transitions between online and offline life. Like when I need to be on video meetings for a while, it feels amazing to close my laptop and walk around in the sunshine of my backyard. And then I also appreciate that I'm able to return to the online world to make a living and connect with others. It's just all about finding the right balance. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely! It's not an all or nothing thing, and it's much better to have that balance around unplugging. Being present enough to realize you've spent too much time on your screen and choosing to get some sunshine sounds like such a healthy approach.
If you don't feel comfortable sharing, that's fine, but how much time do you think you spend on a screen each week? I really hate my hours, considering my job, which is why I know it's important to spend time offline. Last night, for example, I spent an hour shredding documents with my kids. It was a blast, especially when they were jumping around the room in their animal costumes.
Aw, that's so sweet! Spending time offline can be as simple as that, nothing fancy, just being in the moment with the humans around you. To answer your question, a lot!!! lol If I am working/at home, it's a lot more and probably the average time. If I'm out and about, I don't bother with screens that much, if at all, and it's a lot less. I don't beat myself too much about how much time, minutes, hours, I spend online anymore. It just made me feel like shit. I cherish the progress I have made like no longer having to maintain a character on social media, being totally present when around people, I can spend a whole day without screens and not think about it, no news disturbing my day, etc. Feels good.
That's awesome. I love reading this. I do think sometimes it's good to have set rules and guidelines, like how in asking my son to detox from screens over the next week or two, I wanted to jump in alongside him, because let's be honest: I need it too. Even if it's just not using YouTube or watching my weekly shows. But I will say being in my industry, it has been hard NOT to be on LinkedIn, because I've been able to help people break into the industry, mentor others, etc. I hate/love it.
That's pretty cool! How old is your son? Does he understand the concept of detoxing from screens? But yeah I relate to the feeling of screens being imposed on you like you can't escape. The Indian Matchmaking show I mentioned, the matchmaker asks the people what they are looking for in a partner and after they finish listing their (sometimes very long) requirements, she tells them, okay but you only get 60-70% 😂 Your hate/love comment made me think of that. We can't have it all, unfortunately lol
He's six. And he does, because we've talked about dopamine, attention, etc. But of course, when we first told him he was going to detox, he asked about his sister (2). And of course, yes, she is going to not have screen time either.
To be fair, our kids aren't addicted in the traditional sense. They're lucky to get 45-60 minutes per day, and we're pretty intentional with what they watch. But over the past two years, we've changed our minds about a lot, and we made that clear to him: he isn't doing anything wrong, but as parents, we are allowed to change our minds about how they're being raised, and this is something we're changing.
And no, we absolutely can't! But we can definitely prioritize the important things, and not being "alone together" should be at the top of the list.
Only six!? That's amazing! Kids addicted to devices is much more frustrating to witness than with adults. Good on you for giving your son, and daughter in the future, the chance to come out ahead of the attention economy. They have no idea how good they have it lol and hope they appreciate it more and more as they get older.
Please let me know if you want to guest write here on parenting and devices. That'd be such a great topic for any parents that might read here.
Actually, yeah. I would love to do that. Let's chat via email? No rush, of course.
I find joy in the transitions between online and offline life. Like when I need to be on video meetings for a while, it feels amazing to close my laptop and walk around in the sunshine of my backyard. And then I also appreciate that I'm able to return to the online world to make a living and connect with others. It's just all about finding the right balance. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely! It's not an all or nothing thing, and it's much better to have that balance around unplugging. Being present enough to realize you've spent too much time on your screen and choosing to get some sunshine sounds like such a healthy approach.