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- The Day Technology Disappeared from Our Home
by Sarah Thompson
Updated: Aug. 5, 2016
Originally Published: Sep. 2, 2015
Stage One: Denial
“Seriously, Mom? That’s a good one,” my son chuckled as he headed back to the television. I couldn’t help but chuckle when he discovered the remote was missing; it’s as if he believed that was the sole means to operate the TV. My kids exchanged skeptical glances, convinced I wouldn’t follow through with my plan. They anticipated a couple of hours of discomfort before I would relent. However, I held my ground, and they soon transitioned into stage two.
Stage Two: Anger
The atmosphere quickly became chaotic, filled with shrieks, flailing limbs, and theatrical stomping up and down the stairs. My pre-teen daughter raised her arms dramatically towards the ceiling and shouted, “Why!?” Amidst the commotion, the three of them united to stage a protest against what they deemed the cruelest mom imaginable. They even crafted signs, two of which I particularly appreciated:
Stage Three: Bargaining
When their protests failed to yield results and the Xbox remote remained off-limits, they resorted to negotiation. In sweet, innocent tones, they promised to behave and even do their laundry instead of leaving clothes strewn about. If only I would return their devices, they vowed to tackle the garage cleanup and weed the front yard. “Just a few hours of TV, please,” they pleaded. Their desperation resembled that of individuals cut off from a critical supply.
Stage Four: Depression
After the exhausting cycle of screaming and pleading, they began to tire. Slumped on the couch, they lamented the “dullest home ever.” Any suggestion I made was met with disinterest as they wallowed in their discontent. One even succumbed to sleep.
Stage Five: Acceptance
After a grueling 36 hours, the realization dawned on them that I wouldn’t budge. They finally entered the acceptance phase of their electronics grief, and something wonderful transpired: a grand blanket fort appeared in the dining room. My teenage son, who typically distanced himself from his younger siblings, engaged with them in constructing a massive structure out of linens and cushions.
Creativity flourished; I witnessed them engage in a variety of summer activities they devised independently. They took the dog for extended walks, set up a lemonade stand at the corner, searched for lizards in the backyard, and even started a nail salon in the kitchen. My personal favorite was watching my daughters transform a large cardboard box into an imaginary ship that whisked them off to London (a.k.a. the guest room), complete with tiaras and British accents.
This was the type of summer I had envisioned. Sure, sibling squabbles and requests for computers persisted, but we genuinely connected during this time, and the pace of life felt more leisurely. By the end of that week, I released the electronics from their confinement. The kids were ecstatic to reunite with their digital companions, but the atmosphere in our home felt altered since the experiment began. They exhibited a slightly diminished fixation on screens. This was a step forward, and I welcomed it. Perhaps next summer we will attempt this for two weeks.
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Summary
The article recounts a family’s experience when technology was temporarily removed from their home, illustrating the stages of grief their children went through—from denial to acceptance. It highlights how the absence of electronics led to creativity and meaningful interactions among family members, ultimately resulting in a more fulfilling summer experience. The author reflects on the positive outcomes of this experiment and hints at a potential extension of the technology blackout in the future.
Keyphrase: technology free parenting
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