We live in a world where our only focus as adults and parents is to earn money and make investments. Led by our ambitions, we have forgotten to live, and our actions are mingling between one problem to another.
The fact is that we solve every situation by creating another one (worse than the first). Kids have everything but often don’t have what is best for them.
Our attention is often missing in our kids’ process of growing up. We love our kids, but nowadays, our chores do not allow us to spend more time with them.
Tech devices are an essential need in this world. Besides the positive impact devices have on our kids’ development, they also can cause serious health problems, such as addiction.
Prevention is the Best Cure
Being tech-knowledgeable parents contributes to predicting the danger that our kids can face during tech usage. We must teach our kids to embrace the pros of technology, not the cons. That is why we need to set up rules and turn them into habits, no matter how busy we are.
What is Digital Detox?
Whenever we face being overweight, we detox our body (freeing ourselves) of fat and sugar. When we are stuck with negative thoughts and reactions, we detox our minds and soul.
So, digital detox means cleaning, refreshing, and freeing yourself of tech usage. When children free themselves from their devices, they can clean their minds and throw out the possessive virtual world.
Setting digital detox as an everyday habit can improve our living in the future. It might be hard at first, but it’s worth the wait!
Let’s Get Into Cleaning
Gather the family together and discuss the daily plan and create a to-do list. Kids are very effective when they participate in family planning.
They show gratitude because their opinion is respected, and they feel like they’re getting adult treatment. But, directly forbidding tech devices can affect kids’ feelings and they will respond with stubbornness, tantrums, and anxiety.
By slowly implementing digital detox in our kids’ lives, we parents will have the opportunity to raise happy and healthy kids.
The Great Outdoors
Being outside is priceless. I always like to say investing in bikes is always a justified investment. You can go for a bike ride with no tech devices on you and enjoy great family bonding.
Walking, jogging, exploring nature, and being part of that undefined beauty will provide our kids with the opportunity to be curious and adventurous. Trees, flowers, colors, birds, the sky, and grass calm our kids and refresh them.
Planning a family trip or camping can improve our connection with nature and make our kids get addicted to being out instead of being in front of screens.
Sports as a Habit and After-School Activity
We, parents, must support every sport that our kid is interested in. It is good to implement sports as a pastime activity because children will have less time to use tech.
Plus, when they recognize the joy of playing with friends and socializing, they won’t even want to come back home!
Organizing Dinners and Other Activities
Cooking together with our kids can embrace their creativity and responsibility. Setting the table, having a wonderful meal, and talking make our kids appreciate the tech-free way of living.
Their self-esteem increases because they are happy and comforted.
After dinner, you can grab some popcorn and watch a movie. Or, try playing board games. You can find lots of different board games on BoardGameGeek. But be careful, children can get a little cranky and nervous when they lose.
Another great family bonding opportunity is acting together. Yes, acting! You can find creative and fun family plays at PlayAtHome. Other productive family activities are:
- Drawing, painting, and crafts;
- Learning musical instruments and developing concentration, memory, and coordination between the brain and hands;
- Singing and organizing a contest with choreography;
- Knitting is a perfect hobby, and we can wear out knitted socks in winter, or make them as a present for our family and friends;
- Doing trivial quizzes together and testing out each other’s knowledge;
Including Children in Community Activities
Another fun way to digitally detox is to include your children in community activities. It is how we can show respect to the community and teach children to be valuable members of a group.
Being socially active can effectively produce children with positive manners and great behavior. They can develop their communication and organization skills, show empathy and emotions, and learn to be polite, friendly, and respectful to others.
Helping others is not something our kids can learn from the screens. Instead, practice in the real world can and will teach them.
Studies show youth volunteering and community service can save hundreds of millions of dollars.
Cleaning the park and taking the garbage away teach our kids to be responsible for nature and maintenance. Gathering with groups is also ideal for social bonding and communication.
Being there for each other, helping with supplying food, clothes, and medicaments, preparing meals, and delivering, brings our kids close to real-life problems and allows them to meet hundreds of different people.
Conclusion
Digitally detoxing provides a healthy and organized life for parents and kids. It is not just a fancy term, it’s a way of practicing our daily activities while also reducing screen time.
After all, life can be way better and more enjoyable if we just put our phones down and explore the beauty of the Earth.
FAQ
How can I convince my child to do a digital detox?
To set digital detox as a habit, firstly include your kid in planning daily activities and fun hobbies like sports, arts, music, and such.
How can I set boundaries around technology use to make digital detox easier?
You can do this by first creating a trustful relationship with your children. If they respect you, they will respect your rules too.
How long should a digital detox last for kids?
Digital detox is a habit that should last forever because of the positive impact on our kids’ life.
How can I make a digital detox a regular part of my child’s routine?
Create a daily family to-do list that includes sports, family bonding, school, work, and community activities. Ensure that you include children in fun activities, so they don’t feel bored if they don’t use tech.
ALSO READ: What are Some Technology-Free Activities for Kids
