Baby Brookie Knows Best prevent relationship wither

Yesterday, I let Maurie and Jane watch a couple of TV episodes.prevent relationship wither As soon as Brooklyn saw me turn on the TV she started to wave her arms in protest. I started to laugh because it is no secret that Brooklyn abhors all things technology. She is completely aware that when the screens get turned on, the attention she loves is diverted.

She is right. The screens in my life certainly have turned my head away from relationships too many times. I know there is so much commentary on this, but avoiding addiction and investing in real, face-to-face relationships deserves our efforts. Recent studies show that young people’s cell phone use is similar to behaviors of addicts. I can attest that the temptation to scroll on my phone is nothing to balk at, even if I might not be considered a young person anymore. I have been surprised at how intentional I have to be about my time with social media.

Impact

I have pretty strong feelings about how screen time impacts us because I have seen the effects on me and my family. We get grumpy and feel yucky because we have wasted time. I have had many friends and family who share the same outcomes from too much screen time. Although I see a negative results for my family, I don’t suggest that media is bad. I only suggest to carefully consider how much screen time is healthy for you and your family. Ask yourself, Is my screen time inhibiting the relationships with my favorite people?

I appreciate what technology does for my life. I love the connections that I can maintain (friends new and old all in one place and one click away) and the communities I can enter (I connect with bloggers, photographers and other people with similar interests.) I recognize that social media and technology is not inherently bad; the user is responsible for using these tools for good.

Prevention Prescriptions:

Replace excessive screen time with relationship investment:

• When you feel the urge to scroll Facebook, go find a child or spouse and give them a hug.
• When you want to watch TV, find a book and sit down to learn something new.
• When you want to play another round of video games, call a friend you haven’t talked to in awhile or even better meet up with a friend.
• When you catch yourself getting lost on Instagram, turn it off and write in your journal.
• If you have spent an hour on Pinterest, spend an hour or more creating something you pinned.
• When you are tempted to “zone out” take a bath, exercise or meditate! These can refresh and renew you so you have more energy to continue serving in your family.

Good night, friend! It’s time for me to go snuggle and talk with my husband! =)

Best,

Lucy Bowman