Unplugged Sunday

A couple of years ago, I came across an idea that we've put into place, and hold as one of our most special activities: Unplugged Sunday. It's a state of mind, one in which we don't even consider plugging in (although music is fine, and we often listen to public radio in the background). We don't turn on the computers or iPads, and we don't turn on the t.v. (we don't actually subscribe to any t.v. services, and no longer stream movies through Netflix, so our only option is to watch a DVD we either own– not many!– or borrow from the library or occasionally from RedBox). As a family, we focus on all the other things that make up our weekend day, but that don't include high-tech entertainment. Some Sundays we go for a long family hike or other outing, with the point of spending time together. Some Sundays we go for a shorter hike and spend the rest of the day around the house, playing games and doing puzzles, cooking, cleaning, and generally relaxing. For Aaron and me, it's become a treasured day. The kids will still ask if they can play a game on the iPad or watch a movie, but are fine with being told, "No, it's Unplugged Sunday," and they rarely ask again that day. I think part of their query comes from not always being sure what day of the week it is (particularly the 4 year-old). Frankly, there are some Sundays in which we all are tired and recovering from a hectic week, so a movie and popcorn in the afternoon can really hit the spot. But generally, we try to stay away from the screen.

I have learned just how dependent I can be on those quick Facebook check-ins and email updates when I try to be unplugged and am not really committed to it. I have also learned just how valuable these days are when I let it go. And discover the next day I didn't miss anything anyway.

I recently had a conversation with another mom at dance practice about not having t.v., and limiting our viewing by not subscribing to any streaming service. She seemed interested and asked questions about how to handle kids who want to watch (I said it just takes time to train them). It was rewarding the next week to hear that she had proposed to her husband that they stop watching t.v. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and that he had welcomed the idea. She also thought that they would likely start implementing Unplugged Sundays, except during football season. I say anyway it works for your family, it works for everyone!

Here's a more comprehensive fleshing-out of the why and the how (and where I first discovered the idea). Beauty That Moves...Unplugged Sunday