3 Ways to Make “Screen Free Week” Work as a Family
Spring has finally sprung here in my corner of the country, and after that extra-cold winter I have never been happier to see it – or to get outdoors with my kids! As a Together Counts™ Energy Balance Ambassador, I am always looking for ways to make active play a priority for my kids, and one of the ways I do that is by limiting their screen time. In our house, we have certain “screen” and “no screen” days, and time limits on how long they can play. Once warm weather is here to stay, we drop a “screen” day from the schedule until winter strikes again. But this week, May 5-11, we are going ALL IN and turning the screens ALL OFF to celebrate “Screen Free” Week as a family. Here are three ways we plan on making this work for us this week – for the whole family, mom and dad included!
Turn Off the Smartphone at Dinner
Like many parents, I rely heavily on my Smartphone to keep me connected to friends and family, work, and my calendar. I will be the first to admit I have a mini-panic attack when I don’t know where it is. But during Screen Free Week, I am putting it in my office during dinner time and shutting the door. This recent Wall Street Journal article highlights the many benefits of family dinners; studies show consistent family dinners have a positive impact on a child’s body weight, social well-being, and even academics. The article also acknowledges that most families are so pressed for time in our world that even consistent dinners are often much too short. One study cited says that even dinners that last as little as 3.5 minutes longer than the average are more likely to decrease a child’s chances of being overweight. That 3.5 minutes multiplies as the days go by, giving you 15-20 minutes more each week to connect with your kids, and that connectedness has a big impact on your child’s total mind-body health. I know for absolute certain that one way to lengthen family dinner time in my house is to cut out the distractions that may pull me away from the table – distractions received via my Smartphone. So, this week – it’s banned from the dinner table!
Plan Ahead for Play Time
This week if the weather is great, we’ll have an active play time scheduled for every day right in our own backyard, but in case of rain, I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well. The way to make the most of Screen Free Week is to plan ahead for it. Take a few minutes to surf The “Seasons Count” Pinterest board for some activities your kids will love. Let them pick their favorite board games and suffer through them if you must (happily my kids have a few that I love to play!), put together an active obstacle course or hit the library the week before to have a new book or two to read together every day. Another great idea is to plan outings ahead of time – I’ve scheduled both a trip to the park with friends and an at-home play date for this week so we can stay busy and active while we’re away from our screens. Being prepared with screen-free activities is a MUST for making Screen Free Week a success, and sharing Screen Free Week with friends makes it so much more fun!
Go All In With Your Kids
Yes, parents and kids need to be on computers and smartphones sometimes. But during Screen Free Week, I am going to do my best to be active and present with the kiddos while they are awake. Sure, I will miss my screens, but I know that what I will gain from intentionally connecting with and being active with my children will be worth every inconvenience. Want your kids to embrace Screen Free Week? Then toss your tablet during their waking hours and lead by example. I am willing to bet you will all be glad that you’ll be glad you did.
Are you a Screen Free Week rookie or an old pro? I’d love to hear what you’ve done in the past or have planned for this week to keep your family active while you’re turning the screens off!
Jenny Rapson is a writer and social media project manager who lives in southwest Ohio with her husband of thirteen years and their three great kiddos. When she’s not cutting up grapes for her toddler or serving as referee for her school-agers, she co-authors the funniest parenting and lifestyle blog ever (written by first cousins, that is) over at Mommin’ It Up with her cousin Emily Berry.