Alvin and I had a quarrel early last week which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Through that no-talk situation, the "no-gadget time" was born.
What is no gadget time?
Kuya Liam was the one who thought of that term.
Our no-gadget time usually happens after we finish off cleaning in the kitchen at night. It is the time when everyone in the family will be in the Masters' bedroom -- with no iPads, no mobiles, no TV, no tablets, no toys for the kids as well. We are there with one another enjoying each other's presence! There are no specific or planned activities to be done during that time, everything is spontaneous. We sometimes play tackle (wrestling with the kids) or sometimes play pretend or simply ask one another of how our day went. Simpleng kulitan, kilitian, lambingan, konting pikunan but most of the time we laugh our hearts out.
We then read two story books to the kids. Kuya Liam, Papa and Mama take turns in reading a book to the family. When we're done with it, we conclude our no-gadget time by praying the rosary.
I have seen how the kids have appreciated our efforts to put down our mobile phones or turn off the TV during that period of time. It's actually the same with them. We have been doing it for just a week and yet Alvin and I have seen the effects with our two kids and with ourselves. The kids are happier when they go to sleep and they are happier when they wake up in the morning. It is also much easier now to ask them to limit their use of the gadgets because they have seen me and their Papa do it as well.
Believe me when I say that giving up FB time was hard for me. In the same way that it was hard for Alvin to put down his phone or iPad when he gets home from work. But I think it worked because everyone saw how each one did their share and make this time "sacred time."
The kids do their share by reminding us about it, announcing "It's no-gadget time na!" The kids also call our attention when we try to sneak and take a short peek at our mobile phones! You bet we'll be in trouble with them!
I am hoping that we can sustain this no-gadget time and pray that it will actually create positive effects to our (growing) kids.
I actually wrote this to share it with friends, especially those with growing kids, who might be missing a lot because of the simple fact that we spend more time with our gadgets now than with the people around us, whom we claim, we love.
If you do decide to try it, I guarantee you, you'd be one happier parent! :-)
