I am sure you are aware how the young children of the now are different form their older siblings or buddies who are already in mid/high school or even in college. That group of kids are already very attached to technical devices, but these younger kids are even more. It is amazing how fast they can figure out things and then put into practice. One of the boys in my last class (6 yeas old) was telling me stories how he could open and use grandma’s, mom’s, his sister’s ect.’s phone. Then he got silent for a second and said: ”But I cannot open my dad’s phone. He is too fast!” 😊 I asked him a few months later if he could open his dad’s phone. He said with a big smile on his face: “oh, yeeee!!”
I know how hard is to get children engaged while you need some time to make dinner, you have another child, or and a husband etc. The easiest way to make these kids calm down and quiet if we give them an electronic “toy”. I know you already know all the advantages and disadvantages of screen time. I don’t want to lecture you about it. But here is an idea to compromise with your child:
-Why don’t you try to teach your child about a short “me time” before bed. You turn off all the electronic devices (if it is possible even the TV next room; he/she can get a book (before you come into his room to read a night story-if it is still applicable), maybe you can light a candle if it is safe and you let your child be with his/her thoughts for a few minutes. Do not start it with 10 minutes. In the beginning start with 1 minute, saying: ”I will be back in a minute” and then really come in. Next time, extend it to 1.5 minutes. Yes, you will have rejection and withdrawal syndromes in the beginning, but if you are consistent… for a while, I promise it will work. Eventually they will get used to and they will want this “me time” later, you can send them outside during the day and just make them sit on the ground or lay down and look at the clouds…. So if you cannot shorten their “screen times”, then introduce/require some “Me time”. Yes, they will rebel in the beginning saying: they are bored and come up with all excuses. But keep this “Me time” remarkably shorter than screen time, so they will see how fair you are.
Here is why:
Why it is really important that we need to teach these “kids of our time” to be with themselves, because these children are very sensitive in many ways. Their brain needs a few minutes to shut down the effect of the screen vibrating. Their energy field needs some time to ground those ions and vibes from the phone or tablet. Their need a few moments to reflect and think about their day/behavior. It is different from when they discuss their day with you. It is their time. Their time to look into themselves. Silence will turn on things which might be suppressed. Trust the process! When you were a child, you had time outs…; many times, nowadays, teachers are not allowed to make kids sit down, and many times you rather give him/her something to do rather than make them stay calm for 2-3 minutes. Your evenings are so short and everything is WIFI and vibrating around us all day long. Stillness can move things and they can move to the right direction!
Another tool that can help your child to go to sleep in a clam way is to give her/him a crystal. They can just hold it and look at it. They can do many things with that crystal, like “pretend it is my phone/your tablet” (in case of some rejection). The result of giving her a “magnetite crystal” may surprise both of you. Dim the room by lowering the lights, drawing in the curtains… etc.. help your child calm down mentally, emotionally and physically before sleeping. You will see surprising results at school, in behavior and the way they think.
Let me know how it works for you. Leave your comments here!
I know how hard is to get children engaged while you need some time to make dinner, you have another child, or and a husband etc. The easiest way to make these kids calm down and quiet if we give them an electronic “toy”. I know you already know all the advantages and disadvantages of screen time. I don’t want to lecture you about it. But here is an idea to compromise with your child:
-Why don’t you try to teach your child about a short “me time” before bed. You turn off all the electronic devices (if it is possible even the TV next room; he/she can get a book (before you come into his room to read a night story-if it is still applicable), maybe you can light a candle if it is safe and you let your child be with his/her thoughts for a few minutes. Do not start it with 10 minutes. In the beginning start with 1 minute, saying: ”I will be back in a minute” and then really come in. Next time, extend it to 1.5 minutes. Yes, you will have rejection and withdrawal syndromes in the beginning, but if you are consistent… for a while, I promise it will work. Eventually they will get used to and they will want this “me time” later, you can send them outside during the day and just make them sit on the ground or lay down and look at the clouds…. So if you cannot shorten their “screen times”, then introduce/require some “Me time”. Yes, they will rebel in the beginning saying: they are bored and come up with all excuses. But keep this “Me time” remarkably shorter than screen time, so they will see how fair you are.
Here is why:
Why it is really important that we need to teach these “kids of our time” to be with themselves, because these children are very sensitive in many ways. Their brain needs a few minutes to shut down the effect of the screen vibrating. Their energy field needs some time to ground those ions and vibes from the phone or tablet. Their need a few moments to reflect and think about their day/behavior. It is different from when they discuss their day with you. It is their time. Their time to look into themselves. Silence will turn on things which might be suppressed. Trust the process! When you were a child, you had time outs…; many times, nowadays, teachers are not allowed to make kids sit down, and many times you rather give him/her something to do rather than make them stay calm for 2-3 minutes. Your evenings are so short and everything is WIFI and vibrating around us all day long. Stillness can move things and they can move to the right direction!
Another tool that can help your child to go to sleep in a clam way is to give her/him a crystal. They can just hold it and look at it. They can do many things with that crystal, like “pretend it is my phone/your tablet” (in case of some rejection). The result of giving her a “magnetite crystal” may surprise both of you. Dim the room by lowering the lights, drawing in the curtains… etc.. help your child calm down mentally, emotionally and physically before sleeping. You will see surprising results at school, in behavior and the way they think.
Let me know how it works for you. Leave your comments here!
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