"Screen free" week... almost done!

Oh wow.  I guess it's been a while.  And my pictures are totally outdated!

Oops.

Well, tonight is the last night of our week going "screen free!"  Seven days!  We did it!

But, I have to admit, right off the bat, that I did blow it last night.  I was good ALL week up until last night.

So, back to the beginning of the week.  With the kids being only four and a half, it wasn't hard to convince them to go screen free.  The kids gave up all TV and computer/smart phone games.  I gave up all (until I blew it) TV, Facebook and Candy Crush.  I didn't give up email, internet or Word Feud.  But I did promise that I would not be distracted by dumb stuff on the phone/computer while taking care of the kids.  Dick gave up TV and phone while the kids were awake and TV while I was awake.  (After we were all in bed, he enjoyed the DVR to his heart's content!)

Things went really well for the most part.  Veronica asked for a TV show a few times.  And there were a few days when Jackson asked me how many more days we had to go.  Other than that, the kids were totally fine!  A few times I suggested they read a book for some "down time."  They colored or played while I made dinner.  And we listened to some music a few days (some kid music and some mommy music).

I was totally fine without Facebook and Candy Crush.  Didn't really even miss them!  If I missed anything about Facebook it was not reading others' posts (or more likely reposts!)  It was making my own posts and getting fun, positive replies.  Yes, I really enjoy the fun, funny and positive comments on my posts from others.  (Thank you!)

I really did well without TV too for the most part.  I probably only watch about 1-2 hours per day anyway (a little more than the kids' average.)  Instead of TV, in the evenings Dick and I chatted about stuff, planned things together...  I went through email, took care of business, paid bills, sorted mail, etc.  It was all every day stuff that I need to do.  I really DIDN'T feel like I had any extra time.  I was planning a few projects for the week but didn't get around to any of it.  :-(

I did read a book.  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.  It was good.

So Saturday...  I caved.  Saturday morning we went to Master Sports.  The kids had track and field.  They did great!  But they both got stung by bees!  No major reactions but a little stress on everyone.  Then I had to grocery shop, clean and cook for the friends we had over for dinner.  We had a great time with our friends which included some margaritas, ice cream, playing in the mud and a naked bed-jumping extravaganza.  (Can you guess which of these included adults vs kids???)  Our friends left around 8:30 and we spent 30 min getting the kids to bed.  Then....  what was I to do??  I was exhausted.  My book was finished.  I had NO interest in a project, sorting mail, planning anything, or even starting a new book (I was still in my "recovery period" after finishing my other book Friday).  So...  I watched a lovely, one hour episode of The Office.  And it was nice!  Perfect for settling down after a crazy day.

Tonight while eating Mexican food (Happy Cinco de Mayo!) the kids and I talked about the end of screen-free week.  We decided it was nice but we missed some TV.  The kids and I together decided that we are all going to limit ourselves to one show before "quiet time" and two shows after.  This will be around one hour a day for the kids.  And I'll do whatever I want after they go to bed.  :-)

But while I do like some TV before bed, I am definitely committed to putting my phone down and being more present during the day.  That was the best thing about the week.  I really did feel a kind of relief not checking Facebook all day nor trying to win that damn Candy Crush level I've been stuck on for over a week.  Instead, I'll go plant some veggies, make a phone call, brush the dog, or do a puzzle on the floor with my kids.  :-)