Family

We Took Electronics Away For One Morning and THIS Happened

This picture is eight years old, but is nonetheless an accurate representation of this morning.

I know, that title is a bit tongue-in-cheek. But my husband and I have been laughing all morning.

We all know screentime is not inherently evil. We get a lot out of it. I’m here typing on one electronic device, and a day or so from now you’ll be reading these words on another, and that could certainly never have happened without these devices. Earlier this year I wrote about how hard it is to enforce screen limits when I myself am on them so often.

But everything in moderation, and our kids were out of moderation. The youngest was using two devices at once (both Mommy’s) to simultaneously draw memes and chat with the people she was sharing them with. The oldest had devolved into throwing fits whenever he was asked to do anything but play his game.

So their dad greeted them with a “No electronics until tonight” challenge the moment they were out of bed.

They started off by pouting. They really didn’t know what else to do with themselves. Then the extrovert came down and demanded someone play with her. “I’m getting ready to go to the store,” I said. “Maybe you can call one of your friends to play.” She looked horrified by the suggestion. I’m at a loss.

“Can I go to the store with you?” she asked. “Sure,” I said, figuring that would at least keep her occupied.

But before I could leave, the girl convinced her brother to play My Little Pony with her. Suddenly the silent pouting had been replaced with loud, goofy voices and giggling. I peeked into the room and asked, “Anyone want to come to the store with me?” “No,” came the instant replies, and they went back to playing.

At the store, I got a call on my cell phone, which I actually had with me for once because the girl wasn’t texting on it. It was the kids, continuing to giggle. “We thought of some things you need to buy!” And they listed practically every food they liked (which isn’t actually that long of a list). “You could have told me this before I left,” I pointed out.

“No, we just thought of it now. And now we’re going outside to play.”

Related Post

“Is that Daddy’s idea?”

“Nope, we’re just going to. Bye.” It’s only 40 degrees out today. They barely noticed. The boy put some mittens on, though he wasn’t wearing a coat.

When I got home they were so busy playing with the neighbors’ cat that they both exclaimed that they hadn’t even heard the garage door open.

The girl has pestered me to play a few times, but manages to get distracted by something else moments later. When they discovered I’d bought grapes at the store, they threw a grape party for twenty minutes.

Now they are chasing each other around the house, she shouting, “You are bread! You are my bread friend! I’m going to eat you!” and he stubbornly plowing ahead, saying, “No! I have to go places! I am Toyota, ‘Let’s Go Places’!” “Come back, I have to gain your trust before I eat you, my Bread Friend!”

“We should probably return the electronics before they drive us crazy,” their dad finally muttered, shaking his head. “Now I know why they invented them.”

But we haven’t yet.

But now that I have finished typing this, I believe I am required to go play My Little Pony.

Liked it? Take a second to support GeekMom and GeekDad on Patreon!

This post was last modified on October 21, 2018 9:56 pm

Amy Weir

Amy M. Weir is a public youth services librarian in SW Pennsylvania, and there’s nothing she geeks out about more. Outside of work she obsesses over music (especially rock especially psychedelic pop especially The Beatles), sews clothes, gardens when the weather’s nice, avoids housework, and generally is the poster-child for Enneatype 9, which she attempts to counteract with yoga when she remembers. Her entire family has ADHD. This includes an RPG-and-firearms-geek husband who asked her out by playing a Paladin-in-Shining-Armor devoted to serving her character in D&D; a vehicles-and-video-game-geek 14yo named after a hobbit; an art-and-animation-geek 12yo named after a SFF writer; and an Imaginary Husband named Martin Freeman, who isn’t actually aware of this relationship.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

How Zoe Saldana Teaches Empathy With Nintendo

Zoe Saldana is a mom like us, working to teach her sons empathy through gaming…

April 19, 2024

GeekDad: Images From the James Webb Space Telescope Come to IMAX in ‘Deep Sky’

A few years ago, I was able to attend a Dark Sky Party sponsored by…

April 18, 2024

9 Things I Can’t Wait for in ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3

GeekMom Elizabeth discusses the nine things she is most anticipating in the newest 'Bridgerton' season.

April 18, 2024

GeekDad: Usagi Yojimbo- The Crow #1- A Brand New Adventure

Usagi Yojimbo: The Crow # 1: Writer, Artist, Cover Artist: Stan Sakai Colorist: Hi-Fi Colour…

April 17, 2024

GeekDad: ‘Play of Shadows:’ A Book Review

Last year I reviewed Sebastien De Castell’s Malevolent Seven and very much enjoyed it. This was…

April 17, 2024

Bias on a Budget: Gen X-Inspired Punk T-Shirts

The Gen X punk rock style is back in fashion. Here are some quick, easy…

April 14, 2024