Search Results for: blog unplugging from technology

When Technology Becomes Unhealthy

Living in this world of technology, one thing I have noticed is a change in relationships.  Face-to-face interactions happen less often.  It’s easier to shoot out an email or text.  It may feel safer to have a discussion through instant messaging. Instead of talking about our feelings, we are voicing them on Facebook or Twitter.  And rather than enjoying quality time together with our friends, we sit a few feet from each other, tapping away on our devices. This can be not only unhealthy but dangerous.  I’ve seen one of my daughter’s friends fall for a guy she met online.  … Continue reading →

Technology Prevents Monitoring

Once-a-month I get together with three good friends. We spend a lot of our time talking about our teens, bragging about the good things and sharing the struggles. There have been times where tears have been shed, prayers have been offered and laughter has filled the room. It is a time that I greatly look forward to each month. This past month we were talking about the unique challenges we face today as parents. It struck us so funny that we laughed for the longest time, when I brought up the biggest concern for us was that someone would be … Continue reading →

Unplugging from Technology

The other day I blogged about a Dateline special where parents got the opportunity to be a fly on the wall, something I sure wouldn’t mind experiencing. There were different segments to the show, with one of the most interesting being about technology. The show featured some teens that were driving alone. However there was a camera installed inside the cars so it captured some interesting moments. One teen in particular hit a mailbox. The reason he hit the mailbox? He was texting. Yet as the narrator of the show explained, he was only doing what he had seen his … Continue reading →

Re-Evaluating your Family Media Boundaries this Summer

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While driving on a trip or around town do you find yourself yelling, “Look up! Baby cows, or bald eagle!” or pointing out some other exciting view out the window? The goal is for your kids to disengage and not miss the world passing them by. Take time this week to sit down and make a plan for your family digital diet.  For everyone.  In 2015 we struggle with all the media options we have starting at a very young age.  Take the time to set boundaries for this diet to keep your life balanced. Look for our upcoming series … Continue reading →

Bedtime for Devices

I was always one of those parents who had a bag full of “nevers.”  You know what I mean.  “I will never allow my child to…”  Fill in the blank. It’s so easy before you have children to say what you will never do.  And it’s just as easy when they are young to say what you will never do when they get older. Sure, some of my “nevers” I have stuck to.  But there have been a few I tossed to the side.  And in all honesty, at times it was a matter of not wanting to battle. One … Continue reading →

Helping Kids Balance Electronics and Life

With Christmas around the corner electronics are in high demand. But, how do we as parents teach our children to find a balance between technology and their other everyday activities? Our kids are living in a digital world. They instinctively know how to work just about every electronic device out there. I have been amazed at the things my 4 year old can do on Grandma’s Ipad. He knows how to work it better than I do. He can navigate and find his favorite shows in a matter of seconds. He knows right where his games are and can go … Continue reading →

The Simpler Times

One of the concerns raised by many when it comes to teens and social media is that it replaces personal interaction. I have heard many people say that teenagers don’t know how to talk anymore because texting and other forms of technology have taken over. Well that may not necessarily be true, according to research done by “Commonsense Media.” In fact, you might be surprised to learn that some teens would rather do without. The study involved the first generation of 13 and 17 year olds to go through a vast array of media and technological devices. In other words, … Continue reading →

Dangers of Distracted Walking

We have all heard of distracted driving. But a recent tragedy has me not only thinking about but talking about distracted walking. An extremely tragic accident occurred last week in the city I live in. An 11-year-old boy was walking to school when he was fatally struck by a train. He was listening to music through his earbuds, so he couldn’t hear the train. He also had his hood up, so he didn’t see it either. There has been an outpouring of love and support from the entire community to the mother. I have been praying daily for God to … Continue reading →

The Good and the Bad of Social Networking

As with almost anything in life, social networking can have its good sides but it can also have its bad sides. Sometimes the decision to allow your teen to engage in social networking will depend on whether or not you think the bad outweighs the good or vice versa. We have to first acknowledge that social media is likely here to stay. It is not a fad that will die out anytime soon. Keeping up with the world is sometimes the only direction to go. In fact in my career as a writer, you usually need to have knowledge of … Continue reading →

Disconnecting From the Distractions That Pull

One thing I discovered this past weekend is that even teenagers need a little peace and quiet. While I had been looking forward to our annual trip to “Camp Tranquility,” it proved to be just as therapeutic for my teens. Camp Tranquility is the name of the property that my father and stepmom own. It’s about 3 hours from our home, deep in the heart of the woods and beside a river. It truly is tranquil. I had been especially looking forward to going since the kids had been on their first week of summer vacation and my husband had … Continue reading →