Because I write about technology and see a lot of tech devices before they're available on the market, I'm often asked which device/laptop/game console/phone, etc someone should buy, whether they should wait for the next upgrade, and which apps they should install for their kids. The next most popular question is how we set rules for using electronic devices in our family . . . which always makes me happy to discover that others are being mindful of screentime, but I also feel a little uncomfortable answering because what works for us may not work for them.
Basically, we use the moderation is key approach at home as we guide him through using the technology. Just because we happen to have a lot of electronics in the home, doesn't mean the Kiddo gets to spend a disproportionate amount of time online. While on the road for family travel, though, we actually have situational rules for using electronics on vacation.
The reason we take a vacation or go on a trip is for the experience, the opportunity to connect and make family memories, and lastly, to relax, rejuvenate and just get away! I grew up in a small rural Midwestern town and often marvel at the places I've visted and the things I've seen that are so completely unlike my environment growing up. So it's important to us that we expose the Kiddo to these things and underscore an appreciation and respect for them as well - by being present, engaging the senses and taking mental snapshots (or having him take real snapshots or video!).
Along our coast-to-coast roadtrip last summer, we shared some of the documentation duties with him, and he was thrilled. He loved using the FlipCam to record portions of our trip with his own narration. As you can tell above, he loved watching the video back too. ;-)
Did he watch movies in the car along the roadtrip and play games on the iPad, Nintendo DS and LeapPad? You bet! Although not while we were curving through the Rocky Mountains, or cruising by Joshua Tree National Park. Definitely not while we were on the lookout for each state's welcome sign! Certainly not while we visited the hotel pool, walked around the cities, or waited for our table at an authentic restaurant. We were sure to clear the devices away as we crossed the Mississippi River and watched people rafting along the Colorado River.
Of course, the real reason we wouldn't want to completely curtail using tech devices on our trips is that @c2cDad and I would be hurt the most. We plan our trips on the fly using our phones and laptops to look up recommendations, ratings, directions and such. We're usually so busy working up until the last second before we leave for vacation that much our trip is left unplanned awaiting our full attention. We also document our trips with our cameras, cell phones, social media check-ins and video cameras. We're capturing and sharing our adventures with family and friends who may never have the opportunity to do what we're doing.
However, once we've gotten the shot we want, the recording devices go away until the next share-worthy moment crops up. Then it's back to singing along to the radio, playing the alphabet game, looking for more state license plates to flip over on the Melissa & Doug game board, and our own entertainment.
How do you regulate using electronics on vacation as a family with being present and enjoying your travels? You can join a TravelingMom.com Twitter party tonight to chat about just such a topic with other traveling families, and here's how another blogger, Kim Orlando from TravelingMom, incentivized her kids on a recent trip to Aruba:
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