Salt Leaven and Light

For those who would like to limit technology in their home, but don’t think it’s possible:

When my oldest daughter was four, our family made the decision to get rid of all our battery-operated and electric toys. We also got rid of our television.

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Activities

We spent our days…

• having tea parties
• playing dress up
• building wooden train tracks
• making mud pies in the backyard
• filling long car trips with stories and conversation
• playing board games
• baking cookies
• building with blocks
• putting together puzzles
• going on long walks
• doing art projects
• reading books
• building blanket forts
• creating puppet shows
• playing the piano
• learning about our ancestors
• doing “stations” at the kitchen table
• playing with friends at the park
• creating new family traditions

Today, with a dozen photo albums filled with priceless family memories, I’m reminded that getting rid of our electronic toys and television fifteen years ago was one of the best decisions ever made by our family.

Some say it’s not possible to raise children today without electronics.

I’m here to tell you, it is.

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Raising Teenagers with Limited Tech

As a followup to my post about raising children without technology:

NOTE: I relied on the promptings I received when making decisions on how best to raise my family. I took time to determine the foundational principles that were most important to our family, and why, and what actions would be required on our end in order to receive the results we desired. I encourage you to rely on your own promptings and foundational principles, as every family and every situation is different.

Our Experience

Throughout their teen years, our home was mostly technology-free, with the exception of educational learning and an occasional family-friendly movie, which we would enjoy together.

We chose to watch inspirational and historical-based movies; no animation or Disney.

We read a lot, both individually and out loud as a family. We played board games, spent time outdoors, hosted countless gathering with friends and neighbors, and so much more.

What about free time? It was my hope that my “teens” would use their imaginations to fill their free time with things that would educate and uplift, inspire and strengthen, and this is exactly what happened.

We had no kindles or iPads, laptops or smartphones. We had no video games. Even I had only recently (and reluctantly) exchanged my internet-free flip phone for an Android.

Confidence

Have I spent countless hours worrying that I might be “ruining” my children with my parenting choices? Yes, of course! COUNTLESS hours.

But now that my children are older and are preparing to leave home, I can say with 100% certainty that I have not ruined my children.

I can say with complete confidence that I would do it all over again if given the chance. I can’t wait to make similar technology-free memories with my grandchildren in the future.

My children are different. There’s no doubt about it. Our family is different. But we are different in good and happy ways. And who wouldn’t want that?!

Decide what you want most for your family, then go make it happen. Plant the seeds today. It’s HARD work, but the harvest you’ll reap in a coming day will make every sacrifice worth it.

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