Kids, Devices & Chocolate Cake: A Dad's Perspective on Getting Kids Outside
Let’s be honest, the great outdoors has been upstaged lately by the comfy and plugged-in environment that is the modern American home. So, for you parents who want your kids playing outside like you did growing up, this can be an uphill battle.
I’m not a child psychologist or a doctor for that matter, just a dad who recognizes the value of exposing my children to the outdoors. Below are a few principles my wife Kristy and I have learned while striving to get our four kids, ages 4 - 13, outside.
DON’T SET LIMITS
Like most parents we have tried setting limits on screen time. The problem there is screen time then becomes a reward and they’ll go outside to appease you in anticipation of their screen time (and yes, this is what my kids tell me). Outside becomes the veggies and screen time gets to be the dessert. Also, the amount of energy required to keep on top of the rules we parents set is exhausting and over time our resolve slowly wanes.
For young kids, ages 6 and up, try to sit them down and have them set their own boundaries for screen time. This is about finding a balance and getting your child to understand and appreciate that balance. Allowing them to own the rules gives them skin in the game. It’s our job as parents to monitor the child’s ability to keep those boundaries and help them adjust them as needed.
It’s important that you never make them feel guilty for liking devices. Heck, we all like devices but we all like chocolate cake too. Remember, the goal here is to create a culture of playing outside. It may take a while for them to acclimate to this idea as playing outside doesn’t provide the same dopamine hit they get when on devices. So hang in there and remember going outside is what kids are supposed to do, it’s not natural for kids to be inside. They jump on furniture, make messes, pester you, and tend to eat junk food. So never feel guilty about insisting that they go outside.
BORED IS GOOD
It seems to be almost a crime today when our children become tragically bored. How could this happen with the latest in toy technology and a DVD collection that puts Red Box to shame? When your child says they are bored never attempt to cure their boredom. Resist the temptation to entertain your child. You feed, clothe, love and shelter them but you are not responsible for entertaining them so please don’t carry that added burden.
Only they can overcome this and it’s a great life lesson you deny them when you attempt to solve boredom for them. Allow them the space to explore the magical world of boredom. From that place comes creativity and inspiration. Two things rarely associated with screen devices.
I hear a lot of parenting advice about creating a fun yard with trampolines, zip lines, etc. These things are fun for a season but quickly lose their luster. Kids are designed to be creative innovators who excel at making something out of nothing, so help your kids unleash that life skill. There’s no need to fund outdoor adventure for your kids. Their outdoor time should be primarily fueled by raw unbridled kid power, it’s a lot cheaper too.
When my kids say, “I’m bored” I reply with a few suggested activities. If that fails I say, “I’m sorry you’re bored. Why don’t you go outside and play or I’ll give you some chores to do”. They quickly find something to cure their boredom.
WHAT’S TECH GOOD FOR?
When one my kids asked if I had internet when I was a child I told them we had an encyclopedia. Something we continually communicate to our kids is what the internet is good for and what it is not. We encourage our kids to use the internet in short sessions to inspire them to go do, learn or make something. When kids are allowed to spend an unmeasured amount of time online that’s when they are sure to wander where they shouldn’t. Keep their sessions short and focused, not long and aimless. It’s for this reason we don’t recommend kids having access to the world wide web at night. Phones should be placed at a central location at night before bed. If your kids are going to get in trouble online statically it will happen late at night when you’re asleep.
So remember, don’t let screen time be the chocolate cake, give them a voice in setting limits, allow them to be bored, internet is best at inspiring kids to create not consume. Get in the habit of saying “go outside and play” and let their little creative minds figure it out from there.
Do florida!
Chad Crawford
Resources for outdoor activities for kids and families.
The Outsiders Club
I’m not a child psychologist or a doctor for that matter, just a dad who recognizes the value of exposing my children to the outdoors. Below are a few principles my wife Kristy and I have learned while striving to get our four kids, ages 4 - 13, outside.
DON’T SET LIMITS
Like most parents we have tried setting limits on screen time. The problem there is screen time then becomes a reward and they’ll go outside to appease you in anticipation of their screen time (and yes, this is what my kids tell me). Outside becomes the veggies and screen time gets to be the dessert. Also, the amount of energy required to keep on top of the rules we parents set is exhausting and over time our resolve slowly wanes.
For young kids, ages 6 and up, try to sit them down and have them set their own boundaries for screen time. This is about finding a balance and getting your child to understand and appreciate that balance. Allowing them to own the rules gives them skin in the game. It’s our job as parents to monitor the child’s ability to keep those boundaries and help them adjust them as needed.
It’s important that you never make them feel guilty for liking devices. Heck, we all like devices but we all like chocolate cake too. Remember, the goal here is to create a culture of playing outside. It may take a while for them to acclimate to this idea as playing outside doesn’t provide the same dopamine hit they get when on devices. So hang in there and remember going outside is what kids are supposed to do, it’s not natural for kids to be inside. They jump on furniture, make messes, pester you, and tend to eat junk food. So never feel guilty about insisting that they go outside.
BORED IS GOOD
It seems to be almost a crime today when our children become tragically bored. How could this happen with the latest in toy technology and a DVD collection that puts Red Box to shame? When your child says they are bored never attempt to cure their boredom. Resist the temptation to entertain your child. You feed, clothe, love and shelter them but you are not responsible for entertaining them so please don’t carry that added burden.
Only they can overcome this and it’s a great life lesson you deny them when you attempt to solve boredom for them. Allow them the space to explore the magical world of boredom. From that place comes creativity and inspiration. Two things rarely associated with screen devices.
I hear a lot of parenting advice about creating a fun yard with trampolines, zip lines, etc. These things are fun for a season but quickly lose their luster. Kids are designed to be creative innovators who excel at making something out of nothing, so help your kids unleash that life skill. There’s no need to fund outdoor adventure for your kids. Their outdoor time should be primarily fueled by raw unbridled kid power, it’s a lot cheaper too.
When my kids say, “I’m bored” I reply with a few suggested activities. If that fails I say, “I’m sorry you’re bored. Why don’t you go outside and play or I’ll give you some chores to do”. They quickly find something to cure their boredom.
WHAT’S TECH GOOD FOR?
When one my kids asked if I had internet when I was a child I told them we had an encyclopedia. Something we continually communicate to our kids is what the internet is good for and what it is not. We encourage our kids to use the internet in short sessions to inspire them to go do, learn or make something. When kids are allowed to spend an unmeasured amount of time online that’s when they are sure to wander where they shouldn’t. Keep their sessions short and focused, not long and aimless. It’s for this reason we don’t recommend kids having access to the world wide web at night. Phones should be placed at a central location at night before bed. If your kids are going to get in trouble online statically it will happen late at night when you’re asleep.
So remember, don’t let screen time be the chocolate cake, give them a voice in setting limits, allow them to be bored, internet is best at inspiring kids to create not consume. Get in the habit of saying “go outside and play” and let their little creative minds figure it out from there.
Do florida!
Chad Crawford
Resources for outdoor activities for kids and families.
The Outsiders Club
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About the Host/Creator
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As a native Floridian, Chad Crawford has always loved his home state, and he’s made it his mission to share it with the world. He’s often called Florida’s Ambassador for this very reason. Emmy award-winning how to Do florida with Chad Crawford began as a way to combine Chad’s passions – filmmaking, Florida, and literally anything outdoors – but has evolved into a passion project. The more he travels the state, meeting people whose livelihood is the land (and water), the more aware he has become of the issues facing Florida – namely the water crisis. He has worked alongside Florida Fish and Wildlife, Coastal Conservation Association, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Agriculture, Everglades Foundation, Captains for Clean Water, and author Richard Louv in directed efforts to help preserve Florida’s natural resources, and to communicate how we can all be part of solving the environmental problems the state is facing today.
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Recognizing that the next generation needs be part of this conversation, he created an Emmy award-winning kids’ show, The Outsiders Club. The series is geared toward kids and young families, takes place outdoors, and educates viewers in a fun and meaningful way about how they can care for Florida’s environment. Chad uses his platforms to create fans of Florida, but more importantly, he’s interested in creating advocates for Florida. He often says, “When people experience the real Florida they are more likely to take interest in the issues that affect it.” His famous sign-off “Get out and Do Florida” has incited a movement of people, stoking renewed interest in our state’s environmental issues. He encourages his fans to both enjoy Florida and be part of preserving its resources, saying, “If we all do just a little, well, that’s a lot.” Chad and his wife live in Central Florida with their four children.
Want Chad to speak at your event?
Check out Chad’s blog
Want Chad to speak at your event?
Check out Chad’s blog