The Foorce

I’d love to tell you that I didn’t post the Monday Minute in time because I was observing Screen-Free week, but that would be a lie. A whopper in fact, since I gorged on the internet last night – updating my Subscribe and Save orders on Amazon, ordering groceries on Fresh Direct, looking up the allowable amount of tylenol for 3 of my 4 children, researching the best natural methods to remove vomit from a down comforter (dousing it in bleach and setting it on fire is apparently not recommended). But I didn’t stop there – to wash it all down I played some Scramble, Letterpress and Words With Friends on James’s ipod, the internet equivalent of a gallon carton of Rocky Road.

My initial reaction to the whole “turn off screens, turn on life” extravaganza was supportive and interested, followed by deep reflection ten minutes later such as do they mean all screens? I have to order groceries later, and then If I have to entertain these sick kids every evening this week without their nightly movie time I’m not going to make it. 

So while it’s easy for me to pass James off as the screen-addict in our household, the truth is that he’s not alone. And look, could I spend even more quality time with my kids and perhaps enjoy life more without a screen? Sure. But come on, after a full day out exploring the city followed by an afternoon spent doing homework and crafts at the table, making chocolate covered raisins and pretzels in the kitchen, and showering 3 of 4 children (now covered in chocolate), you know what I want to do after playing a rousing game of “Kid Talk” at the dinner table? Bury myself in a President’s Picks newsletter while my kids watch the rest of Charlotte’s Web. Besides, we’re learning about mammals, and there are mammals in Charlotte’s Web, so it’s totally educational.

Despite my reluctance to give up the screens, I decided to broach the topic with my kids at dinner.  Read more…