My son, unlike his millennial parents, is a digital native. It’s amazing how he adapts to technology, considering we, millennials, were introduced to phones and computers much later than these digital natives. However, with just about anything, moderation is key. Given unrestricted screen time, we have observed drastic behavioural changes with him. He gets snappy, impatient, and generally dysregulated.
Seeing this, Howell and I had to make changes to how we operate at home.
- No phones or any other screens during mealtime
- We put our phones down when talking to each other
- Quiet, low-stimulation activities after dinner (reading books, doing activity books, drawing, instead of watching TV)
The most difficult adjustment for me is the low-stimulation activities after dinner, since I am used to just watching TV before bed. It’s my way of tuning out after a long day.
However, it is proving to be one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. I am back to more regular journaling and writing in general. I get to work on a new book I am illustrating. My mind is quieter and focused. My creative ideas started coming back after I shut out the noise from entertainment I can easily access through social media and television. Some nights, I still watch TV before bed, but it won’t be until I’ve exhausted all my creative endeavours for the night.
I understood intentionality more when I had my child. I did not feel the need to make changes when it was just Howell and I, since extended screen times did not seem detrimental to us at that time. Seeing how it affects my son’s development now, it has inspired us to do better—in this case, to do less.
HandsVentures NZ 