Childhood Unplugged

As I mentioned in our last post our family is without internet and cable, something that I feared and my kids dreaded. The first day of this whole experience was a scary one, we didn't know what we were doing. We literally didn't know what to do without internet, that's how pathetic our lives have become. I informed my kids they had to learn to live "unplugged" and they seem to be doing okay now, almost a week later. They have realized that they don't need all these technology things to survive, though somethings make life a lot easier they aren't necessary. I decided to limit their screen time to one hour a day, or a movie because I'm not mean enough to make them turn a movie off in the middle of it. Since pulling the plug the fighting has diminished and our kids seem genuinely happier, I'm not saying there's a connection but it's odd that it worked that way. Mornings have also been easier, instead of seeing who can get to the iPad first and call claims on it for the day and watch things on it all day while ignoring me when I tell them to get stuff done. They are now in a routine I enjoy much more, getting up, brushing their teeth and hair, eating breakfast, and getting started on school work. It's so refreshing to not need to fight them for every little thing. I have had some people ask me how they stay busy during the day and honestly that hasn't been a problem for us, I mean we have nine kids. They all have a buddy to play with at all times and they have more than enough toys to keep them busy, their current favorites our kitchen(Skyler's), princess(Savannah), Legos(All of them!), and Barbies(The big girls'). Keeping them busy isn't the hard thing, keeping them from craving the internet is the hard thing. They have asked for Netflix multiple times and it's kind of funny, but extremely sad all at the same time. I will say though, for Christmas they're getting a video game(Disney Infinity 3.0-don't tell them) and the first few days after getting it may consist of them playing it nonstop! But, that is what Christmas is about right?! Hopefully my kids can stay alive without their Netflix until then. Now, back to having no internet! See you in a few days guys!