Hi readers, I don’t know about you, but tablet and smart phone use has gotten a bit out of control in our home — and it’s not just the kids. I feel like we can’t go 20 minutes without checking our devices for emails, facebook, Instagram, BBM, ichat, updates, and sports scores. We are all guilty of it! I’m putting our family on a tech diet so thought to extend these tips to my readers. Like all good diets, we’re not going cold turkey, but we are gradually going to make some changes to how and when we use our tablets and smartphones. Not only will it help our eyes, reduce the strain in our fingers and wrists but I’m confident that it will bring us closer together. Read on to see the top steps we’re taking to reduce our tech use as a family.
MAKE DINNERTIME A DEVICE-FREE ZONE
Whether you’re eating dinner at home or in a restaurant, make everyone leave their phones in a different room during mealtimes. Not only is it rude to have your device at the table, but it’s too tempting to check it when it is lying on the table. Use the time to talk about your days, learn what’s going on, and just connect. The messages will be there when the meal is over. Remember in 2000 there were no mobile phones and we still had dinnertime with good conversation.
DON’T GOOGLE IT — LOOK IT UP!
Give google a break! Remember that thing called a dictionary or, better yet, an encyclopedia? If you have a physical one in your home, turn to it instead of your phone, tablet, or computer to find the answer. Because once you’re on your device, you and your kids are more likely to start checking email, social media accounts, or even the score of the big game.
TURN OFF PUSH NOTIFICATIONS AND SOUNDS
If your phone isn’t constantly buzzing, you won’t be as inclined to pick it up. Turn off all push notifications, silence your ringer for everything except phone calls, and watch your tendency to pick it up quickly decline.
MAKE BEDTIME A DEVICE-FREE ZONE
Don’t even bring your device into your kids’ rooms at bedtime, and you won’t feel the urge to check it. Bedtime should be a sacred time where you read a goodnight story and help your little one to bed, or if they are older bedtime is the time when they open up about their days — and you really don’t want to miss that!
BAN HANDHELD DEVICES IN THE BEDROOM
This one applies to parents and kids. You don’t need to be checking your email or social media accounts before you get out of bed every morning, and you don’t need to check them right before closing your eyes for the night. Plus, if the same rules apply to everyone, you can keep better tabs on what your kids are doing online.
CREATE A CENTRAL CHARGING SPACE
With all the family’s phones and tablets in one space, parents can keep a better eye on them — and ensure that the kids aren’t on them when they’re supposed to be doing homework or falling asleep. It also makes everyone aware when one of the devices is “missing.”
By Teri Mendes
twitter @ terimendes
