american living

I have the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom of my 3 little ones and although it’s the most rewarding title, it is the busiest, yet now that I am pregnant with my 4th baby, there are moments that I feel drained. Even so, my husband and I try to unplug whenever we are together as a family. In a world like today, the use of technological devices is inevitable. We use our laptop and cell phone for work and play, however, we strive to not let it interfere when we are with our kids. For that reason, I’ve learned to avoid using my phone when I am with my kids during the day. I check my phone ever so often to see if my husband or family member has called. Nonetheless, as a blogger, I try to sneak video recordings here and there and my kids notice, which is why they think phones only serve the purpose of making calls and shooting videos/photos, hence they mimic me while playing pretend sometimes. However, please know that we are not against technology nor do we think it’s the “Devil” (in the words of Bobby Boucher’s mom from the Waterboy!). In fact, we love it and are grateful for it – we simply believe our children do not need tablets or cell phones especially so early in life. I once had a mom criticize our lifestyle as being unrealistic. People are entitled to their opinion, but the truth is, that it is realistic because it’s what’s real for us. It may not essentially work for all families but it has indeed worked wonderfully for us. The key is have a daily ROUTINE – it’s the only way I get things done and no tantrums are thrown in my house because my kids know exactly what to expect throughout their day. Here are a few tips that have helped me be a low-tech parent:

Tips for Being a Low-Tech Parent

Children will imitate your actions
Strive to not just be present physically but mentally!
Interact and engage with your little ones
Put your phone on silent & turn off notifications
Set a schedule or daily routine (especially during these social distancing times)
Leave your phone connected and charging in one spot of the home and check it when you need to
Avoid giving your child a tablet or handheld device for distraction (unless it’s absolutely necessary for a short period time of learning i.e. ABC Mouse)
Do not turn on the T.V. for long hours
Allow times of Free-Play as long as they are under a close visible proximity
Speak to your infant constantly and listen to your toddlers attentively (they know if you’re giving them your undivided attention)
Enjoy outdoor play like the park or even a stroll around the block
Do activities together like: read, color, puzzles, building blocks, etc.
Play “pretend” with them
Play music and sing and dance together
Involve them when you are cooking or baking
Do arts and crafts using household disposable items like paper towel tubes, etc.
Search for new ways to be creative with little ones (online resources etc.)
Allow them to watch a TV show if you’d like – we allow 30 mins./day (the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids ages 2 to 5 spend no more than 1 hour/day with screens of any kind – TV, tablet, phone, or computer)

Here is a look inside our daily M-F Routine that works well for us because it starts later and ends later so that my husband is able to spend quality time with them after work. Although it is not set in stone, this is how it usually goes:

9am-9.15am Darla wakes wake up and Caleb & Olivia follow after a few mins.
9.15am Bathroom break, diaper change, brush teeth
9.30am Breakfast (Froot loops for the older ones & baby cereal for Darla, Eggs, toast/or pancakes/or waffles))
10.30am Free-play while mama prepares lunch & dinner (Our free-play consists of any of the following: Caleb rides bike, Olivia pushes Darla in her doll double stroller, Mega bloks, Caleb & Olivia “Pretend Play” while Darla follows them everywhere, burn off energy jumping on their Little Tikes indoor trampoline, etc.)
11.30am School time & Snack time (“School time” is what Caleb calls it. It consists of 2 workbooks* for toddlers where they learn how to trace, ABC’s, Numbers, Shapes, flashcards etc. singing songs, Melissa & Doug ABC & numbers wooden puzzles, etc. Meanwhile Darla plays with her toys and attempts to color) *Here are the links to some of our “school” items: Learn-to-trace workbook, Numbers (Math), Flashcards, Melissa & Doug wodden puzzles)
12.30pm Bathtime (bubbles & paint) & get dressed
1:30pm Lunch & 30 min. TV time (they watch 1 episode of PJ Mask (23 mins.) & 1 episode of Superwings (11 mins.))
2.30pm-4.30pm Nap time (Thank you, Jesus! Haha!)
Before 5pm They wake up and eat a light snack & free-play
5.30pm Daddy is home! Quality time with dad (Usually we walk to the park or take a stroll)
6:30pm Dinner as a family
7:30pm Music & Dancing time plus snack
8pm Color/Read/Puzzles or more Free-play
9pm Prep for Bedtime (Milk, singing worship songs, bathroom break, change into PJs, read a book, bathroom break)
9:30pm Bedtime for ALL 3.

A few things to note, when we eat with our children, we pray before each meal and we carry conversations with them asking them questions about their day, etc. Also, there are days I go out with them (aside from the park & stroll), like head to the mall, supermarket, or play dates with friends. On occasions when we have to leave the house, we aim to leave after 11am and be back around 3pm for their afternoon nap.

It is possible to raise low-tech children in this century! Obviously it will change as they get older. We realized that although it is currently the best way for us, it may not work for others due to different personal circumstances. In my case, I am able to stay home full time with my children and though perhaps giving them a phone or tablet may have been an easier outlet, I chose not to, which means I have my hands full 100% of the time they are awake. And I cherish it. Hope you can try it too and see how it works out for your family.