Ipad-Free Spring Break

 Our kids can live without their ipads, but sometimes they forget that they can.  Usually one child (*ahem* Tracey) starts the day by asking what she needs to do to get some ipad time.

Then, depending on the day, I will either tell her its not an option that day, or I will give her a list of tasks to accomplish before she can watch her ipad.  She will work very diligently on the list until she gets to watch the ipad (usually around early afternoon when the little boys are napping) and then she puts it away when her time is up.

Meanwhile, the young kiddos, Howard, Caroline, and Lee Lee see Tracey working on the list and then all three of them want to do a list to watch their ipads as well.  These three usually would not have thought about the ipad except for the fact that Tracey's activities are motivated by watching the ipad.

Its not a bad system -- the list the kids have to complete includes physical activity, time outside, chores, homework, and doing something kind.  But, it tends to direct the day -- all the kids activities are motivated by the list, and then they get to watch the tablet for an hour or so, and then afterward, it's hard for them to focus on other play.

So, when I told the kids we were having an "ipad-free spring break", they weren't thrilled, but they had enough time to plan for it, and we have had a great first few days of the break, and they are playing games and coming up with activities that they just never would by following an "ipad list."

Now, today, I have to work all day -- and the kids know the rules about the ipad-free spring break, and Daddy knows the rules as well.  If anything, I'm pretty sure the kids are excited to up-hold the rules because Daddy tends to allow the ipad more than Mama does.

Stay tuned for pictures of our ipad-free spring break fun.

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