March break and the battle of the screens #MarchBreak #parenting
March break is around the corner for some and at our doorstep for others. The kids are squealing with joy whereas parents are doing one of the following:
1) Planning playdates
2) Scheduling workshops/activities for the kids
3) Pulling their hair out
4) Boozing (yes, I do not drink but for those that do, y’all know what I mean).
5) Sitting back and preparing to gleefully spend time with their offspring non stop for seven days straight. I would elaborate more on this option but I unfortunately do not fall into this category and do not possess the creativity to pretend that I do.
Traveling out of town is not always financially an option, for others, taking time off from work is simply not possible. Having my own business gives me some freedom to make my own schedule and spend more time with the kids. One thing that works really well with my family is playing tourist around town. We enjoy spending a fraction of the money we might have otherwise spent on a trip, and eat out at some of our favourite restaurants, go to local science, biology and astrology centers as well as local museums depending on what the kids are in the mood for.
A couple of weeks before March break I generally ask each child to suggest three activities that they would like to do over the break and then I mix and match. Sometimes that means a playdate or sleepover with a friend, sometimes it might be to spend an afternoon at a bookstore and other times it might be to go skiing. I did that recently for a ped day. My daughter wanted to have friends over for a sleepover and pancake breakfast. Once her friends left we went out to their favourite book store to check out some new books/games for my son.
I also don’t believe in spending all week splurging on the kids either. I feel it’s important to maintain a balance. I give my kids a chore list they need to complete over March break (YES. Apparently that makes me THAT mom). The more chores they complete the more screen time they can earn, up until a certain point. With screen times being the kid favourite/parent’s go to when nothing else works I’m not being judge-y here in the least when I say I work hard to limit it, but it’s the truth. I do not believe in sticking a screen in front of my children’s face for the bulk of their waking hours. It makes them moody, cranky and anti-social. I know as I have seen this happen more times than I care to count.
I recently spoke with CBC Daybreak’s Shari Okeke about our plans for March break and my thoughts on earning screen time. This is how it went:
What are some of your tips for surviving March break? Share in the comment section below.
we’re going to be facing the same thing. Not travelling during break and making sure the kiddos don’t spend the whole time with their face buried in a screen.
I think we’re all in the same boat Scott. Not always easy to do!
For older kids, let them sleep in for a few days and enjoy a quieter morning. This is a good time to let kids that are old enough bake and cook. In fact, teens can cook dinner one or two nights for the family! It’s your break (from routine) too!
It’s so easy to get trapped in front of the technology. I think engaging with other friends is always helpful. This way I don’t have to plan all the activities. When they are at the friend’s house, the other family plans activities too. Score!
We are not doing a whole lot for the March break either, we are in the middle of remodeling. So hopefully we can get our daughter interested in that, and not her screen!
For our spring break this year I’ve finally planned us a vacation and we are super excited. Never have I done anything fun for my kids when they are out for spring break. But before I remember trying to plan playdates and to get the kids out of the house and leave their iPads at home.
It can be so easy to just give in to screen time. However, it’s better for everyone to find a balance. I think earning screen time is a good idea.