I've never considered my children to be particularly dependent on technology for entertainment. They aren't really, but I sure am. Specifically, I am dependent on the occasional cartoon to get them out of my face for 25 minutes. But since coming to our cabin in the woods, I have not had that luxury and it is driving me mad.
I ordered a Blu-Ray/DVD player, but the TV at this house is so old that I can't connect the fancy new machine to it. There's a really old DVD/VCR combo machine here, but the DVD tray won't open. My Chromebook has no CD/DVD player on it. So that rules out DVDs.
We had the landlady cancel the TV service, because we never watch it. Because the kids always watch DVDs or something online. We had no internet service until yesterday.
We had nothing. NOTHING. A. has been gone since Tuesday night and the kids have been CONSTANTLY in my face since then.
I've been able to distract them for a little while here and there with some fun stuff.
Hooray for the sprinkler!
Can you see how big this zucchini is? About as big as Jack. They found several enormous zucchini and summer squash and spent a significant amount of time pounding on them with rocks, chucking them into a cooler full of water, and throwing them at each other.
They also spent quite a bit of time pretending they were camping under a group of big pine trees by the porch. We've been to the library in the village. We're going to the pool in the village today. And I made some bread.
Sourdough, of course, just like my pioneer foremothers.
But there has also been a lot of squabbling, whining, crying, screaming, shrieking, running in and out of the doors, and general unpleasantness when I would have given ANYTHING for half an hour of Curious George.
Alleluia, all hail the power of the screen.
5 comments:
I'm babysitting my 7 yr old grandson this summer and I have to agree a DVD or YouTube for a half hour break is a lifesaver. I mean I have to be able to chill and think my own thoughts for a few minutes a day. School starts in less than a month. Yes, the countdown has begun!
Good luck to you. Where will the boys be going to school? Have you figured that out yet?
Sheila Z
Sheila: Cubby will be in first grade at the local public school. Sadly, the pre-K program at that same school that is literally Charlie's only option was full with a waiting list. So it's going to be me, Charlie, and Jack doing some serious bonding this year. Charlie is not sad about not going to school. I may be a little bit sad that he's not going . . .
Short term is the best way to handle screen time, and you've discovered one of the best ways to use it: as a break for yourself! I hope you're able to figure out a DVD or TV option eventually. I have to admit that the idea of the boys pounding zucchini to a pulp made me sad, briefly. Only briefly, and only because something furry or feathered keeps eating the squash before it gets started in my backyard. Oh, well, there's always the farmers' market.
Daisy: No need to mourn for these zucchini--they were the ones that got so huge while we were back at Blackrock for a week that they wouldn't have been good to eat, anyway. I've been eating the moderately-sized ones.
Lovely bread. Great front yard, at least until the snow arrives. Couldn't really see the zucchini but I totally believe you.
Post a Comment