Corona, Kids & Screens

So many parents I know feel like they’re drowning in screens right now, myself included. Maybe it feels like a never-ending battle, or perhaps you’ve completely relented in the face of this extraordinary time. I’m here to say that either way, no matter what’s going on, we will get through this.

How does a conscious parent navigate this sea of media and screen usage with small kids? My solution is to have an incredibly compassionate view, and still remember to pursue presence with your child.

At the onset of COVID-19, our kids (ages 5&3) went from having 30-60 minutes of screen-time a week to that per day. And now it’s more like 90 minutes a day on average, although we’ve been able to cut it down over the last few weeks. My philosophy on screens is that my kids are still incredibly young, and have their entire lives to immerse themselves in screens. During these early years, it’s my hope to instill in them a lack of dependence on screens and a greater dependence on the outdoors, and real life connection. This is rooted in many things, but a big part of it has to do with screens’ natural stress-induction, and nature’s natural stress-relief. In an incredibly over-stressful world, I want my kids to have a deep-ingrained antidote to the harming effects of stress. The best antidote out there, I believe, is connection to nature, which includes the outdoors and their own bodies.

While I strive and maintain pretty strict boundaries around screen-time in our home, the most important thing right now is that we let go of our screen-time shame. Shame for anything on behalf of anyone, parents or children should be forsaken. Glennon Doyle shared about this early on in the pandemic - during such a volatile time as this, we need to simply survive, get done some work, and end up smiling at the end of the day. If MANY hours of screen time for your family is what achieves this, let it be. No shame for it. It won’t be like this forever.

And if you’ve got the resources and ability to keep your screen time minimal, keep at it. Appleseed has a list of Approved screen programs coming your way that keeps our children grounded, supports our family values, and serves to teach them the things that matter! We can’t wait to share these with you.

I leave you with two indelible quotes:

“The world is obsessed with its children. Meanwhile the children want presence. They yearn for face-to-face presence.” - David Fitch.
A little screen time and a little presence, on repeat may be a great way to get through your days.

"Take a deep breath and affirm your intention to be fully present — here and now — at peace with What Is." - Scott Noelle.
Doing what you need to do to take care of yourself and remain present in your home will be the greatest gift you can give your kids - screen time included or not.

Peace and go easy on yourself,

Megan

5 Ways to Connect to the Earth with your Child

Do you know that feeling you get when you've been in close contact with the earth for a long time?  Maybe you were at the park with the kids and couldn't find a reason to leave, or you ran into a friend unexpectedly and talked and walked for an extra hour or two, while the kids enjoyed an extra long play.  The feeling of fresh air in your lungs after a long winter, your nose and cheeks cool but not frozen, and pulling out your warmest sweater in exchange for your winter jacket.

This is spring.  And this feeling I get I call 'groundedness'.  It is all about reconnecting to the earth, and it is like medicine for our very being!  I know I tend to feel more calm, connected, and I rest well after being outside.  Here are five ways to connect to the earth with your child this spring.

1. BE OUTSIDE

Spring fever is great at kicking us out the door.  Melting snow and budding crocuses inspire us to pick up garbage in our streets and parks, so grab a bag and some tongs!  

I love creating something outside.  One of my favourite activities is picking up all the sticks and other treasures in the park or trail and creating a teepee or nature mandala on the ground.  

Does your child identify with a particular local animal or tree?  Ask them to come up with a ’nature name’ for themself or name a favourite tree close to home that you often pass.  The connections are endless.

'Earthing' is another wonderful way to directly connect to the earth this spring.  This exercise involves simply making direct contact to the earth with your feet.  After a long winter it feels good to get out of those restricting shoes and boots.  And I can guarantee your child will think it's fun to walk through the park barefoot! 

2. BE WELL EQUIPPED

In Norway they say “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”  Take ownership of your child’s outerwear wardrobe and equip them well for being outdoors no matter the weather.  Buying second-hand can help meet this need while being sensitive to your wallet.  Teach your child that wearing layers is practical and they can easily remove them if they get too hot.  Being out in varied weather develops an appreciation for nature in a special way, and make sure you the parent are also well equipped!

3. EAT LOCAL FOOD

Eating food from our local soil can profoundly connect us to the earth.  Visiting local markets in the spring and talking to our farmers about how and where our food is grown is grounding for the whole family!  Most very young children are fascinated by farms and farmers, so these conversations can be very natural.

4. START GARDENING

What a better way to connect to the earth than putting your hands in the soil.  A child doesn’t need much to keep them happy - soil, a spoon and container will do just fine.  Let them play, and get dirty!

5. BRING THE OUTDOORS IN

For those days and naps you need to be inside, there are always ways to bring the outdoors in.  We have a ‘treasure basket’ in our front entranceway.  All the treasures we collect from our outdoor adventures end up in there when it’s time to come in.  Later we can do an activity with them, such as nature journaling, crafting, sorting, and counting.

You can also take the time to plan your garden for the season with your child.  Let them draw a picture to show you what they’d like to have in their garden.  Which plants would they like to pick and eat?  What colours would they like to see when they go outside?

All the best in your outdoor pursuits this spring!  

To many long days outside, 

Megan