It is no secret that we live in a time where technology reigns supreme.
It's also no secret that we rely so heavily on technology that it becomes both a blessing and a curse and, if you let it, can cause a huge divide in families. The man works a very corporate job which requires him to do a ton of work on his laptop..If I let him, he'll lock himself away in his office and work away on that thing for hours. Jordyn tends to have a lot of online homework and enjoys gaming....again, if I let her, she'd click away on her laptop and tablet for hours. And I, as a blogger, Instablogger, influencer, and owner of a Youtube channel, always seem to have an email to respond to, some writing to finish, or some editing I need to get done...If I let myself, I can spend hours on my devices.
Yeah ok, if you let it....technology can negatively affect the way your family interacts with each other, so the key is to NOT LET IT!
But how?
Yeah ok, if you let it....technology can negatively affect the way your family interacts with each other, so the key is to NOT LET IT!
But how?
In our home, we limit time spent using technology.
Jordyn is allowed only 1 hour of tech time during the week and 2 hours on weekends,theres a firm, no phone/tablet rule in place while we eat meals, and during our weekly family game nights ( where I kick butt in Uno) Phones, tablets, and laptops are banned. But, we also use technology to our advantage, using it as a bonding tool rather than treating it as some taboo thing that should be banished. I'm not talking about being in the same room together but all being tuned into different cyber realities because honestly, that isn't family time. I'm talking about finding ways to be tuned into cyberspace.....together...essentially turning tech time, to family time.
Jordyn is allowed only 1 hour of tech time during the week and 2 hours on weekends,theres a firm, no phone/tablet rule in place while we eat meals, and during our weekly family game nights ( where I kick butt in Uno) Phones, tablets, and laptops are banned. But, we also use technology to our advantage, using it as a bonding tool rather than treating it as some taboo thing that should be banished. I'm not talking about being in the same room together but all being tuned into different cyber realities because honestly, that isn't family time. I'm talking about finding ways to be tuned into cyberspace.....together...essentially turning tech time, to family time.
Here's a few simple ways my family bonds via technology.
1. FAMILY GROUP TEXT.
Our family group text is mostly filled with funny pictures of animals and Jordyn asking what time either one of us is going to be getting home from work but it's a fun way to share things we find funny or communicate when we aren't near each other.
Jordyn is only 9 but i'm sure this is something that will continue throughout her teen and young adult life. In fact, A 2014 study from the University of Kansas found that teens and adult children who talk with their parents through texting and social media tend to have better relationships than those who don't.
2: COMMUNITY LAPTOP TIME.
Most days, Jordyn has computer homework and Zeke and I both have work to do on our computers. We all have laptops so it is very easy for us to all sit around together either in the living room or at the dining room table and get our work done while also being present with each other. While it may look like we are all focused on our own thing, we're actually still very present with each other. We will talk about our day, tell jokes, make dinner suggestions, and bond...all while getting our work done on our computers.
3. PLAY VIDEOS TOGETHER.
I am not a gamer. I've never been super into it...but let me tell you, the times all 3 of us spend snuggled together on Jordyns bed playing Mario Kart on her Wii U are some of my favorite times. We laugh, scream, and encourage each other to beat Bowser...Throw in some Mario Party and its a whole new ball game....Jordyn is super into gaming but rather than just allowing Jordyn to get sucked into this virtual world of games alone in her room, we enjoy them with her. We cuddle in her bed while she proudly builds and shows off her world in MineCraft, and we all vote on outfits while she plays the Roblox fashion show game.
4: VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNTS
These are pretty cool. They combine technology and being outdoors!
It's like a double win. Virtual scavenger hunt apps from apps like Geocaching to Klikaklu make it so easy and fun to spend a day out, exploring new places in your city with your family. Even apps like the super popular Pokemon Go game acts as an on the go, scavenger hunt type of game! We love spending a few hours out together hunting. We even get our friends involved and go out in big groups for hunts! We love it!
We enjoy our bonding time via technology, we like to use it to our advantage rather than letting it consume and divide us.
Do you all use technology to bond in your homes?
How is technology affecting or benefiting your family?
Xo,
Jeanice :)
These are pretty cool. They combine technology and being outdoors!
It's like a double win. Virtual scavenger hunt apps from apps like Geocaching to Klikaklu make it so easy and fun to spend a day out, exploring new places in your city with your family. Even apps like the super popular Pokemon Go game acts as an on the go, scavenger hunt type of game! We love spending a few hours out together hunting. We even get our friends involved and go out in big groups for hunts! We love it!
We enjoy our bonding time via technology, we like to use it to our advantage rather than letting it consume and divide us.
Do you all use technology to bond in your homes?
How is technology affecting or benefiting your family?
Xo,
Jeanice :)