My daughters are in their early 20’s. So do you know what that means?
It means I raised them without devices and tablets. Sure, we watched cartoons from time to time or had movie nights, but it was on a TV and my girls had “toys” and open-ended opportunities for play around them.
I share this with you because it’s proof that it is 100% possible to raise kids without a device.
Look, I get it. Everyone has a device AND we see everyone including babies and children on them EVERYWHERE we look.
Seeing that gives us a little silent whisper of permission that it must be ok.
Screens are easy. Our kids just fade into the background when they are on them.
And if it’s “educational” content, we feel that it helps to balance our guilt from allowing screen time.
I believe that (and know) that parents do not want to substitute opportunities and experiences for a device.
The problem is that very little is being done to support parents in offering alternative solutions.
Let’s face it, everything comes with some kind of instruction guide or how to, EXCEPT our precious babies. We are left to navigate that on our own.
Often relying on friends, neighbors, social media, and of course good ole fashioned trial and error.
Anything can be challenging UNTIL you learn tools, ways, strategies, gain knowledge and understanding, and actually feel like you know what you are doing.
One thing my daughters LOVED and so did the hundreds of students that came through my classroom were SCAVENGER HUNTS!
Long before all of the access to the internet and free downloads, I made these for my girls on a piece of paper. They were NOT fancy by any means, but guess what? My kids never noticed and had the best time.
With most things available to us now with the click of our mouse, we can search Google and find “resources”.
Without a doubt, I am living out my true purpose in life….teaching, guiding, and empowering parents and grandparents to successfully raise happy little humans successfully screen free!
I raised 2 incredible humans without devices, taught early childhood education for nearly 20 years, and went back to school and earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
That means I’ve walked the walk and had the experiences, trainings, and schooling to empower you.
You can learn more about how to become screen free by following me on Instagram and TikTok where I share valuable information and provide you with resources so that screen free parenting or grandparenting doesn’t feel challenging.
