Well, we did it. We finished our first month of 2014 Detox Tuesdays! If you haven’t read my earlier blog, a quick recap is, we instituted all Tuesdays in 2014 as detox from electronics nights. At the house, no techie anything (iphone, ipod, tv, computer etc). from 5-10 pm.
I originally came up with this idea, because I feel like the time with my kiddos at home is quickly passing and soon they will be off to college. And I noticed that even though we might all be at home on the couch, many times everyone is on their own little device. soooo, I came up with this brilliant plan.
I thought it would be hardest on the kids, but have quickly noticed, it’s much harder on ME! I was surprised how often I reach for my little device throughout the night. The first Tuesday was soooo hard. I went to check the weather for the next day, oops can’t do that. Went to check the kids grades from a project turned in, oops can’t do that. Went to check an item on my calendar, oops can’t do that either.
So I had the shakes. was rocking back and forth in a corner. haha. Not really.
WHAT HAVE I NOTICED?
Well week one, while Jack was still at his basketball practice, Madi, Robert & I sat on the couch and caught up. We had a great talk about school, life, etc. Lots of laughter. Then she was off to bed and Jack returned home. He, Robert & I then sat around and talked, laughed and caught up. Around 9 p.m. we were all like “another hour still???” so we decided to play Yahtzee. What fun!
Week two I returned home from a meeting and found the kids playing ping/pong and talking and laughing with Robert hanging out with them. MY KIDS WERE ENJOYING TIME WITH EACH OTHER!!!! what??? two teenagers??? yes!!
- Portable Ping Pong set from Grama
Week three was particularly hard on me… b/c Jack didn’t feel well and went right to bed after basketball. Madi had turned in early too. So when I got home from yet another meeting, I asked Robert “since everyone is in bed, can I just pop on the computer?” NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO he told me not until 10 p.m. (it was only 8:45!!) how funny! I got stung by my own rule.
So the two of us hung out talking about life and future plans.
Week four was just another wonderful night. After a yummy dinner, we played rummikub then catch phrase! We all laughed and had so much fun together! Everyone engaged with each other!
Yes, Detox Tuesday is worth every single minute of de-teching!
Our first month has been a blessing. My kids are awesome sports and have not fought back about this new routine at all…and Robert and I enjoy the last bit of time each week hanging out and chatting.
So could anyone do this??? YES!!! Is it sometimes hard???? YES!!! Is it worth it? Absolutely!!!
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