Do any of you mamas struggle with finding the balance of tech and no tech time?
We live in a technological world, we expect everything to turn on and boot up, entertain us and benefit us instantly.
Never will our kids experience waiting for the Internet to dial up, the upcoming episode of a new favorite TV show to air the next week or waiting to see grandma til their next visit.
While the advances in technology make it so much more fun, fast and convenient, I’ve struggled especially with limiting TV time (my kids don’t have tablets) because it is so easy to just stick a show on for my kids.
I want to preface this blog post with the fact that I struggle with this EVERYDAY.
Writing this post doesn’t mean I have mastered this part of parenting (do we ever really master any of it-or just wing it)?
Just a few weeks ago we were sick and I started a new job where I work nights.
We watched SOO much TV…….
It’s ok to have days and weeks like that because, when your kids are sick, what else is there to do besides veg on the couch and watch TV for 12 hours like we did when we were kids?
The reason I’m writing this post is because sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with young kids for 12+ hours a day while they are awake.
There are two sides to this. Our kids are growing and learning at a different pace than we were when we were little; they require more mental stimulation and that’s ok.
On the other side of it, we are hindering our children’s growth when we constantly help them overcome their boredom.
They learn, grow, explore and imagine when they are bored. They won’t ever learn to be an artist, chef or inventor if they aren’t left to be bored and play with their surroundings.
I love hearing my daughter Emberly run through the kitchen yelling “superheroes!” with some dish towels she made into capes for her and her brother.
I love watching my kids Emberly and Grant pack up their stroller and grocery cart with almost all of their belongings, waving over their shoulders yelling “bye mom we are going babysitting!”
Being bored is uncomfortable, right?
Silence is uncomfortable. The kids crying and pulling on your pant leg can be maddening.
I don’t like when my kids are bored when the TV is off and I hear the whining and they need me and it’s like, can you not need me every moment?
I turn on the TV when I’m trying to get ready to go somewhere and need to do my makeup and hair, when I’m trying to cook dinner, when I’m doing work or writing a blog post, when we’re in the car and the kids won’t stop bickering.
It’s an easy fix.
But it becomes too much sometimes when that’s all my kids ask me to do, when they become grumpy and bossy about what they want to watch and when they have zombie-like behavior and won’t answer when I ask them a question.
There are a few things I try to do with my kids on a weekly basis to break up TV time.
Some weeks go better than others, some days my kids give me a look that says, kick rocks mom we aren’t interested in what you’ve planned, others we do more hands-on activities than TV time.
A good place to start is: from every time an episode of a show is over say “let’s try this” and do one or two things a day with your kiddos.
1. Sensory bins and play doh: Friends have commented on the sensory bins I do and honestly I just throw random colors and textures together in a plastic bin from Target and call it good.
I store the bins under my bed.
Bases I’ve done are dry pinto beans, popcorn kernels, dry oatmeal and pom poms. You can put in plastic eggs, spoons, plastic or eraser letters/numbers, or plastic buttons for upcoming holidays like Easter.
Kids like to play and feel with their hands so whatever you throw in there they will love.
I’ve done sensory bags made with sprinkles with similar items aforementioned.
Water beads that you fill with water and the beads expand and kiddos can squish and scoop them are a hit.
For play doh, cookie cutters, pipe cleaners, goggly eyes, and beads are great to put out. They have plastic partitioned paint pallets at the dollar store that can hold the eyes and beads when they are playing with them.
I also have a kinetic sand bin that is sand that adheres to itself and is virtually no mess. I throw in shells and sea animals I find at Hobby Lobby.
They also sell kinetic sand in the craft section at Target.
2. Your local library: There are so many tools and activities local libraries offer that are FREE and sometimes we forget about them.
My kiddos and I get new library books most weeks, they have story time at our library with a craft and book, a library in our area has activity learning boxes they give out every other week, there are computers at most libraries with learning games and read aloud books and they offer reading programs with free books and prizes.
Not every library offers what I’ve mentioned above and what I take advantage of in my area but call your local library and see what they offer!
3. Read library books with your kiddos: have them out somewhere visible and make them your new fun books to read during the week between shows.
4. Look for local art studios with kids classes: while not always feasible I take my kiddos to a toddler art class as often as I can. It’s a place they can get messy that isn’t your house!
5. Local kids museums and trampoline parks: I try to take my kiddos to these places a few times a month. It’s nice because they are designed for kiddos so they can run around and be totally themselves. Plus it’s a great place to meet up with your mom friends and chat while the kids play.
6. Swimming: it doesn’t have to be summer to take your kids swimming. I take my kids to a local indoor swimming pool once every month or so. It gets them used to water and tires them out, which is always a bonus for me.
7. Wood puzzles and toys: If my kids are driving me crazy saying I want to watch this or that, I straight up lay toys out on the carpet and turn on an old movie or This Is Us and they are SOO bored with my show that they pay it no attention and are forced to succumb to my tactics.
If your kids are like mine, they play with sticks and plastic water bottles more than the toys I buy (unless I threaten to give the toy to goodwill).
8. Kids subscription boxes(we get ours from Kiwico) and Highlights magazine: while not always affordable with every family budget. These could be bought instead of Christmas or birthday toys.
My daughter LOVES getting these in the mail and having something new and fresh to do each month.
9. Playing outside: With warmer weather it is so healthy to get your kids to local parks and get some vitamin D. Nature hunts, bikes and water tables are all great activities they can play and explore and BURN ENERGY.
10. Extracurricular Activities: Getting kids involved with other kids outside the house. Not too many because you still want them to be able to be kids.
My daughter takes dance at a super affordable studio and it’s teaching her balance, coordination, and to work with other kids abs adults.
While the above mentioned might seem totally impossible and out of budget for your family, there are SOO many free things for kids that communities offer-you just have to seek them out.
Sometimes (ok most times) it’s easier to just stay at home with kids and not go out into public.
I hope this compilation helps even a little of your momma stress and finding things to do with little ones.
As always we are our worst critics and don’t give ourselves enough credit! You are doing more good than you know with your kids!
I do all these things because it forces me to make intentional time with my kids.
With my personality I get SOO caught up in my to-do list for the day, turn on the TV for my kids and need ways to break it up for them.
Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Tell me what fun things you do with your littles throughout the day!
Disclaimer: Use all parenting, life and general advice contained herein at your own risk.