The curly toddler awakes at 2am, sneaks downstairs and watches Netflix waking her kind, loving and
The Power Ranger loving preschooler who repeatedly "hi ya"ed his mother because she tried to put him in the van when he didn't want to leave.
The wannabee teenage first grader who made her little people talk to each other and say "Why were you kissing another woman? I'm your wife!" (truthfully, I still haven't figured out where that one came from but I like to blame Netflix.)
The knock down drag out fights over whose turn it was to hold the magical device while watching what others consider kid friendly shows.
The weeping and wailing when they were refused tablet time. The continued wailing after they were told "no" again and again and again until they were finally ignored and the wails turned into screams and physical blows to the mother's kneecaps.
You get what I'm trying to say now?
Our house is overflowing with toys that should be amusing my children. From the wooden blocks and puzzles to the Barbies and Rescue Heroes, we have more toys than I'd care to admit to owning. Its those yard sales that get me....but that's another story. My children were so obsessed with the soft glow of the screen and when they'd enjoy it next and who could ask first they were forgetting everything surrounding them.
Two days have passed and I am loving it. Is my life easier? A little bit. Are those mountains of toys getting their fair share of fun? You bet! Are my children happier? This mama says yes.
My son has asked twice to play tablet. Both times I asked him why the answer is no. He responded mournfully "Because its on vacation for 100days!"(insert sob)
Originally, I said it would return around Thanksgiving, but we'll see about that. For now I'm enjoying the sounds of children playing school and detective, performing song and dance shows and fighting about other silly things kids deem unfair.
Disclaimer: Unplugging has led to children waking mom before the sunrises so they can eat breakfast instead of being amused by a screen. Unplugging has found a toddler attempting to serve herself breakfast by emptying the fridge of its contents and eating her older sister's school lunch that was already prepared on the counter. Unplugging has encouraged snuggles on the couch, as well as more pleas for visits to Grammy and Pop's house because they have cable.
I know this isn't a permanent solution but it helps today. My kids still get the occasional movie in dvd format. They see shows "On Demand" at my parents' home. I cannot forever control what images go into their developing brains, but for now I'd like them to be full of family life lived by the real people surrounding them that love them so much it hurts.
