Why We Unplug

We are absolutely bombarded in our society with technology, easy access to the internet and the challenges of being "sucked in" to the instant gratification of all the social media avenues and various search engines and news headlines.

Our family is not exempt (J was happily using a cell phone at a super young age and now knows how to navigate the iPad way better than seems possible for a kid who is hardly ever using it.)

While we have yet to leave behind our "free phones" for a smart phone (mostly because the service in our area is horrible and WY in general has plenty of dead spots,) we have 3 computers, an iPod Touch and an iPad.  To some this may not seem like much, but for us it means that coupled with our wireless internet, we can check email/facebook/blog, etc. etc. any time we want.  I seldom nurse P without perusing the latest happenings on the internet.


However, we are determined that our children will grow up loving the outdoors at LEAST as much as the newest gadget (and believe me, we are aiming for MORE here!)

One of the ways we are combating that is being fairly strict in our family rule that Sundays are no-computer days.  It is funny how Husband and I both think of about a million things on Sundays that we "have" to look up (things we don't think of the rest of the week.)  We have to be pretty vigilant at keeping each other accountable at times!

This is why we do it:
- Our family comes first.  Sundays are family days and that means we give each other undivided attention.  We, personally, also believe in keeping the Sabbath Holy and the two are intertwined for us (though we certainly recognize this is not the case for everyone out there!)

- It gives us more time to be outside.

- We need to clear our minds from all the "clutter" out there.  Facebook, twitter and blogs will still be working Monday morning!

- It gives us time for special family events (which could mean just a family game.)  Raise your hand if you have ever wasted 10, 20, 120 minutes on the internet?  We all know it is all too easy to do.  We take advantage of that freed up time.

This is what we should be doing better:
- We need to unplug completely.  No iPod, no iPad (they are computers in a sense too!)

- Teaching our children WHY we do it!

These are the challenges we face now (and will in the future.)
- We can always (ALWAYS) think of a reason why we need to turn the internet on.  An extended family member wants to Skype, we need to check the weather, we need an address...

- As the boys get older, texting (or whatever replaces it) will be just as distracting.  Watching the other teens out there, I can just see how we will need to have rules about that too!

- When we are sick, tired or just lazy keeping up with it.

What can YOU do now?
- Ease into a No-Computer (or technology in general) time.  Ban phones at dinner time.  Make a rule that no computers are allowed on before noon on Saturday mornings.  Make Sunday evenings after dinner JUST for family.  You decide how this can best work for your own family.

- Replace that time with getting outside.  Time flies when you are out there.  Go on a family walk around the block if that is all you can manage at first.  Work up to a few hours (or a full day!) out hiking or skiing.  Try something new as a family (Bunny slopes at ski hills are generally REALLY cheap!)

- Have a discussion as a family about the "whys".  Why unplugging is important, why family is important, why getting outside is important.

- If you are really bold/daring/adventurous, choose an evening that is no-electricity.  Use candles, have a campfire, roast marshmallows, pretend you are camping.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results...

Anyone else out there do no-computer days?  What works for your family?  What challenges do you face?  Any other great tips?  If you take this challenge, please come back and share in the comments.  We'd love to hear! :)