Hi, Taylor House readers! I’m so happy to be here
today, guest-posting from feelLOVDeveryday, where
casual conversation uplifts and inspires beautifully. Chrissy is such a
special bloggy friend and so, so talented with those knitting needles. I am
honored to have received a wonderful infinity scarf from her that I wear
with her knitted heart pin – so adorable! Here’s today’s blog post,
enjoy!
Unplug to Unleash
It’s tax season here in our humble abode and
that means high stress. Not because my husband is a tax account, no. It’s
because he owns his own business as a computer consultant and he chooses to
do his own taxes each and every year; not fun to say the least. During these
months of dog-paddling through receipts and records and numbers, I’ll have
to admit that my role is minuscule. But the role that I do play, like
entering in the donation items, tallying the insurance expenses, and
entering all the mileage to the post office, doesn’t allow for me to spend a
great deal of time with our one and only 9-year-old son, so he’s left to his
own “devices” (perfect word for what I’m about to discuss).
that means high stress. Not because my husband is a tax account, no. It’s
because he owns his own business as a computer consultant and he chooses to
do his own taxes each and every year; not fun to say the least. During these
months of dog-paddling through receipts and records and numbers, I’ll have
to admit that my role is minuscule. But the role that I do play, like
entering in the donation items, tallying the insurance expenses, and
entering all the mileage to the post office, doesn’t allow for me to spend a
great deal of time with our one and only 9-year-old son, so he’s left to his
own “devices” (perfect word for what I’m about to discuss).
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| Flesh and blood heroes are the best! |
I remember that one Saturday very well. Super
Hubby and I were huddled in the home office crunching the numbers and our
son was told he’d have to “find something to do”. The choice he made was not
to go read a good book, to take a walk around the neighborhood, or even to
play outside. That day he made the electronic choice. This choice
encompassed about 10 hours of video gaming, to which I am not proud. It’s
not that I’m anti- TV or anti-gaming. I know it’s part of our children’s
culture and if I ban it entirely, he may very well think the kids at school
are speaking another language during lunchtime conversation, and they, in
turn, may look at him like he’s sporting 3 heads.
Hubby and I were huddled in the home office crunching the numbers and our
son was told he’d have to “find something to do”. The choice he made was not
to go read a good book, to take a walk around the neighborhood, or even to
play outside. That day he made the electronic choice. This choice
encompassed about 10 hours of video gaming, to which I am not proud. It’s
not that I’m anti- TV or anti-gaming. I know it’s part of our children’s
culture and if I ban it entirely, he may very well think the kids at school
are speaking another language during lunchtime conversation, and they, in
turn, may look at him like he’s sporting 3 heads.
The next day, I was determined to make my
disappointment known to our young son whose mind may have turned to complete
moosh if I hadn’t intervened. I told him he had spent too much time on the
Wii the day before and today was going to be a day of no electronics, no
gaming, no TV. I was still helping Super Hubby with taxes so he needed to
find something to do that didn’t involve the use of electrical
current.
disappointment known to our young son whose mind may have turned to complete
moosh if I hadn’t intervened. I told him he had spent too much time on the
Wii the day before and today was going to be a day of no electronics, no
gaming, no TV. I was still helping Super Hubby with taxes so he needed to
find something to do that didn’t involve the use of electrical
current.
He understood my intent and agreed to the
request. I stepped into the home office and closed the door. When I finally
emerged, the site before me changed my perspective forever. Right before me
was undeniable proof that TV and video games are, indeed, killing the
creative brain cells of our youth. I entered my son’s room to find it
completely converted into a pirate ship. He had made the ship’s wheel out of
construction paper and taped it to the wall underneath his window. He took
the Crayola Washable Window Markers that were collecting dust and drew the ocean and
sun onto the window. He drew an octopus when he had to fight one out on the
high seas. When the octopus was defeated, he’d erase him and next he drew an
island. Land ho! Time to find the hidden treasure, but be careful of the
natives. He gathered reserves in a shoe box consisting of pretzels,
pringles, and fruit chews.
request. I stepped into the home office and closed the door. When I finally
emerged, the site before me changed my perspective forever. Right before me
was undeniable proof that TV and video games are, indeed, killing the
creative brain cells of our youth. I entered my son’s room to find it
completely converted into a pirate ship. He had made the ship’s wheel out of
construction paper and taped it to the wall underneath his window. He took
the Crayola Washable Window Markers that were collecting dust and drew the ocean and
sun onto the window. He drew an octopus when he had to fight one out on the
high seas. When the octopus was defeated, he’d erase him and next he drew an
island. Land ho! Time to find the hidden treasure, but be careful of the
natives. He gathered reserves in a shoe box consisting of pretzels,
pringles, and fruit chews.
The imaginative play I saw before me was the
creativity my son had always shown, but at times was robbed of while video
controller was in hand. I’m all for balance, it’s important. The day he
played for 10 hours was a mistake on all our parts. We as parents were busy,
our son was bored. It happens. But, when you say the words, “Find something
else to do now,” you give your child an opportunity to entertain themselves
without zoning out. Unplugging means unleashing the imaginative creativity
that is already there, just waiting to burst through. Don’t deny our
children the opportunity to use it fully.
creativity my son had always shown, but at times was robbed of while video
controller was in hand. I’m all for balance, it’s important. The day he
played for 10 hours was a mistake on all our parts. We as parents were busy,
our son was bored. It happens. But, when you say the words, “Find something
else to do now,” you give your child an opportunity to entertain themselves
without zoning out. Unplugging means unleashing the imaginative creativity
that is already there, just waiting to burst through. Don’t deny our
children the opportunity to use it fully.
I’d love for us to get to know each other a little better. Here’s my story of who I am and here’s how LOVD got started. I’d love to keep in touch so feel free to Follow Me,
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LOVD tidings,
Lilly
Thank you for guest posting today, Lilly!
B/c I'm your Sister-in-law and I have to be a pain, when did you learn to knit, Chrissy? Hmm? I thought you crocheted.
Thanks for asking me to guest post, Chrissy!