WHAT!!! NO COMPUTER???

While it was snowing we spent almost all of our time watching BBC i-player, or DVD's, playing computer games or listening to the noisy and advert crammed radio. (Libraries were closed and we couldn't have gotten to them if they were open anyway for the first few days, once you had sledded for an hour or so you were freezing, so there was nothing else to do really.) So after the snow had melted sufficiently we were all feeling a bit dazed and confused; What did we used to do before computers sucked the very life out of us? We could hardly remember. It was time to break fast forming and damaging habits!

A WHOLE WEEK OF NO TECHNOLOGY AT ALL FOR ALL OF US!!! (except for Pete who earns the money on his computer so he was understandably excused.)

I kept notes on the evening of each day, I wrote down what we all did. I must remind you that even I was feeling sucked in by the computer. I needed to break cycle and try different things too.

Day 1: We had one child who, having just come home from school, through desperate tears said: "There is nothing to do in my life without the computer, even just sitting and staring at the screen saver makes me happy!" (how totally sad is that!) I persevered and this is what the end result; Rachel and Corbin made tents in the lounge and played with torches inside. Then they pulled out a science book and did some experiments. Cheryn finished her book and began another. Zeek actually read a book!! He was 5 chapters in by the end of the evening.

Day 2: Cheryn finished her book in one day and has begun another. (These are not silly children's books, this was a 454 page book called the Hunger Games.) Zeek is now halfway through his book, he is reading the first of the Artemis Fowl series. Rachel read SIX books geared to her age. Corbin read and book and I read two to them, I haven't read to the kids in ages!

Day 3: We all walked into town and did some shopping. Corbin bought some army tanks and plains which he and Zeek have been playing with most of the evening. They built forts and hideouts with blankets and mattresses. Zeek also did some more reading. Rachel got more books and read three of them. Cheryn read more of her book and also spent some good time on the piano. And their rooms are tidy because they have been playing there, so they needed the floor space.

Day 4: We were at Angela's house, and Cheryn finished her book (Another one!) Zeek, Corbin and Vincent played games with Corbin's tanks. Rachel and Roxanne fed the ducks, then Rachel played games on the stairs with the boys. All of us played some brain teaser puzzles. We had fun.

Day 5: Cheryn and I went to a school information evening and while we were out; Zeek, Rachel and Corbin played some made up games together. Then Rachel and Corbin went upstairs and built tents while Zeek continued reading his book.

Day 6: Zeek is nearly finished his book, and he is very excited about that. Cheryn played tunes on the keyboard and read to Rachel. Rachel read books and tidied the house. Corbin spent ages with his new electronics set. They all came to the Chapel while I had a meeting because they wanted to run around and play.

Day 7: Zeek finished his book and is onto the second one, already on chapter 3. Cheryn helped me in the kitchen and read some more. Rachel and Corbin spent ages drawing pictures and they built a puzzle too. Pete and I discussed what we have experienced and what we will do from now on.

The end result; No technology at all during the week, no computer games, DVD's, radio, internet and i-player. Then on Saturday, if they choose to, they can spend all day in front of the "box". I have seen more love, laughter, and playing in these last three weeks than I have for a long while now. And more reading than ever in the UK, we used to read quite a lot in SA.

I really enjoy the computer, I enjoy sitting down and watching a movie every now and again. I enjoy watching Lark Rise to Candleford on i-player and Merlin too. I am so grateful for the family's blogs, so that I can keep in touch. I feel connected because I have access to my e-mail. But we should use wisdom in all things. For our family, the wisdom we need right now is no computer during the week. I see a difference, I am grateful for this experience. I feel a difference in my life. I am glad we tried this experiment.

Are you feeling brave enough to give it a go? Try it, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the treasures you discover.