8 Tips for Tech-

free quality FAMILY TIME

ParentsWare

Oh how times have changed! Thirty years ago, 6:00 pm meant dinnertime and dinnertime meant that everyone was at the table with their full attention on the

family. The family engaged in conversation without any disruption… Fast-forward to today and an official dinnertime rarely is found in our households. Dinnertime has

been replaced with hectic schedules and the need to be connected through technology.Given that our lives are engulfed in technology, the amount of quality time families spend together is dwindling. Some parents only get a few hours before work and after work to spend with their children and at times are rushed to get dinner on

the table, homework done and kids in bed. Often times, these few hours are disrupted with television, checking e-mails, updating social media status’ and playing video games. This technology has caused a disruption in our family values. Instead of

dinnertime or conversations in the car, each family member is glued to their smart phone, tablet or computer.Psychologist and author of the Big Disconnect,

Catherine Steiner-Adair challenges Americans to find ways to “reboot” and revaluate how we are connecting with our family. We need to look at the examples we are setting for our family, and how we can make them more positive. She suggests

parents follow these eight simple steps to help reconnect with family throughout the day.

Do you wake up and right away reach for your phone to check your messages? She

suggests that the way you roll (outward towards your phone or inward towards

your significant other) can define how

you start your day. How do you wish to

start your day?

1. How do you start your morning?

Mornings are hectic as it is with trying to get everyone out the door on time, so it’s already a challenge to spend

any quality family time in the morning. Steiner-Adair suggests that parents get up a little earlier to do any

work, make any calls or check messages before

waking the kids. She believes that the time from

when your kids wake up until they are out the door should be screen free time

for everyone.

2. Up and at ‘em- a little earlier.

For everyone! Hectic schedules take away so much of our time as it is.  We might as well take advantage of the little time we have together while running for swimming, to soccer to ballet.

3. No screens while driving…

Stash your phone away when you pick up your child. Make eye contact, smile and connect with them. Steiner-Adair believes that you can’t connect and give your children the full attention they need if your looking down at your phone and hardly notice them.

4. Perk up for pickups.

Make a snack, talk, connect, play outside, play inside, participate in a hobby, and just don’t associate coming home with screen time. Steiner-Adair explains that children need to connect with people and have those meaningful interactions and they need to have an activity that helps their mind develop such as cooking, Legos or drawing.

5. Don’t make screen time the first thing that happens when the kids come

home from school.

Leave you phone at the door and allow yourself to unwind. Parents deserve to take a break from the outside world too. Make this a real transition too. Don’t sneak and check you email or update Facebook- you aren’t fooling anyone! It can always wait, you need and deserve this time!

6. Leave it at the door.

No phones, devices or television while eating dinner together. Bring back the values that so many families were built on thirty years ago, bring back that 6:00 dinnertime.

7. No distraction mealtime!

This is a time to connect and share our day with our children.  Let them know how special they are and how much they mean to us! Read stories, have discussions, let these last few minutes of your child’s day be the most loving and special. This goes for parents too, no screen time while in bed!

8. Let bath and bedtime be quiet and unplug

times.

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