How do we stay present and enjoy the moment, unplugged, when technology dominates our attention span? I know I’m still tempted to view precious moments through a phone screen for keepsakes instead of putting it away completely (with hopes that my memory stays intact for recall years from now). But a little practice in self-restraint is going a long way. It is an example I want to set for my daughter.
I recently started tucking my phone away when attending concerts or watching live bands. I want to sing along and dance in the moment it is happening, enjoy the company I attend with, and share my time with them. My memory of those fun times should be in widescreen, 4D. Not tunnel-visioned through my phone screen on a tiny scale. Not everything has to be posted to social media, not everyone needs to know where I am or who I’m with all hours of the day. And that’s OK!
After mostly mastering the “unplugged” action when I’m out with other adults, I started to free up my battery life and screen time during events for my daughter. Whether it’s at a school function, on a playdate, or just us out and about, I put my phone away.
I don’t bring a tablet with me everywhere we go. When we eat out, she’s a part of the conversation and we color and play the games on her kid’s menu. Or we bring along a small toy or doll that acts as her companion until the food arrives. When we are at home, we experiment with new recipes and enjoy making messes in the kitchen together.
She’s looking to me for a non-screen, unplugged example, and I intend to show her that we can enjoy the moment rather than stare at a TV, computer, tablet, or smart phone.
A great staying-unplugged favorite of mine is board games. Especially the ones from my childhood, that I can still remember how to play. Some of these games are helping me to teach her strategy or critical thinking. Other games test her fine motor skills. Some are just plain for fun. But it’s also something that she and I get to do together without technology getting in the middle.
The slime and play dough trend is still on a hot streak in our home. As well as anything artistic that requires paint, paper, coloring, etc. A lot of the creating my daughter does is from memory or fresh on a blank canvas. I encourage her to create from her own vision and she loves it. It takes time and thought. And best of all, no screen. My favorite part of her creating is enjoying the moment for myself. Seeing the spark and watching her make magic happen.
She reads! Her first grade teacher started a book series with the class and every day they heard a new chapter about the characters’ adventure until the book was complete and the next book in the series was started. Her homework this past school year consisted of building up her reading ability, and I can appreciate perfecting the skill. Being a great reader will take her far in life.
She enjoys the chapter books that link together. She feels invested in the characters accomplishing their mission. I’ve recently got her hooked on the Harry Potter series (which started with the movies when she was younger), so now I read the chapters to her from the collection of books I still have. And since it’s a storyline she is already familiar with, she can anticipate what’s coming, but it’s how its written that I want her to hear.
JK Rowling dreamt up these magical creatures and events, wizarding spells that don’t exist outside the story, people with interesting traits that make you love them or hate them. Without a visual, the detailed description is all there is to go on. She paints the imagery beautifully for the young reader.
In the long run, maybe we will spare their eyesight. Staying unplugged will keep the creative imagination alive in any situation. You will have memories with your kids that don’t revolve around arguing over the remote. If you like to venture outdoors, the benefits of fresh air and beautiful scenery know no bounds. I know personally, my girl would rather play in the ocean any day and build towers, cakes and sandcastles, covered in sand herself, than sit at home and stare at a screen. But that is also because she has us to enjoy the moment with her.
