It is interesting to me that my career involves me working in front of a laptop screen for the majority of my day.  I am not the sort of person that enjoys “screen time”.  When I’m home alone, it’s not likely that the television is on.  I have no interest in video games and watch few movies, whether it be in the theater or renting a DVD.  For me, the idea of watching a screen just doesn’t interest me.

As a mom, I feel that same way about kids and screens.  With this week being winter vacation in my state, I know there are many children spending the day watching television, playing video games, or using computers for hours on end.  Yes, technology has changed so that these activities involve human interaction via instant messaging or chat, but it still means that kids are sitting and staring at a screen.  Aren’t there better ways to spend your day?

To spark your imagination, here are a few suggestions:

• Read.  Whether you have a set time in which all family members read or you read to your children, what better way is there to awaken imaginations?  Try a classic children’s author, such as Shel Silverstein.
• Cook.  Not only is this a fun activity that will deliver tasty results, it also is a good life skill for children to gain.  Plus, cooking teaches children about measuring, fractions, and more.  For a simple starter recipe, try making some Peanut Butter Pretzel Balls.
• Exercise.  Instead of trying to find 20 minutes to workout while the kids are occupied, why not include them?  While you may not want to include them in a full aerobic workout, they definitely can attempt some simpler exercises.  Using an exercise ball may be a good option.

Don’t limit yourself to this list; rather, use it as a springboard for ideas that work best for your family.

If you think all teens would rather sit in front of a screen, check out this article about the pitfalls of technology, written from the perspective of a freshman in high school.