Family Time, No Screen Time

I have created a new rule in our household about not allowing any television watching or video game playing during the week in the evenings.  A bit drastic?  Well, I was very lenient with my kids and allowed them a lot of time in front of the screens daily.  Sitting in front of those screens too much keeps you from enjoying life, at least that's my new motto.  I'm trying to be different.  They would spend so much time watching tv and playing video games that by the time it was close to bedtime we had to cram so many things together, trying to get it all done.  There just isn't enough time. 

It's close to 4pm when my kids get off the school bus.  My son has a paper or two to complete for homework so he gets that done right away.  Then I start on dinner.  While I make dinner I would love for them to help me, play something productive or take care of whatever their cleaning needs done.  After dinner is bath time.  That leaves us with only one or two more hours left before bed time.  Sometimes we'll put on music and dance or we'll come up with some type of family activity.  Last night we did crafts, played indoor bowling and then sat and watched our daughter dance.  My husband put on Irish music and she immediately started Irish Step Dancing.  I don't know how she knew what to do but it was funny and I looked at my husband and said, "Well, looks like we'll need to look into Irish Step Dancing classes."  She loves to dance and is already involved in ballet and tap.

After not seeing my husband and kids all day while they are at work and in school it was nice to have time to focus on each other.  Last night I also tried to refrain from looking at my phone.  My focus needs to be solely on them.  It was great.  I can focus on housework and "me" time while they are in school and when they are home my attention can be completely theirs.