"Unplug" Your Family 1
“UnPlug?” There are Logical Reasons…
What screen do you prefer? Where is the most color and action?
Let me explain what I mean by “unplug.” We live busy lives. For most people, every minute of the day is booked. For those of you with children the busy whirl of life speeds up. But, all of us have time for what we consider life priorities. When I invite you to “unplug” the first thing each of us should do is ask a simple question. “What things am I/Family doing that are not important?” 24 hours each day are a gift. What things are we doing that use family time unwisely? For example: How much time do you or your family spend watching movies, TV, or playing video games on a device? What clubs, meetings, organizations are truly necessary? Which ones could you choose to eliminate? To “unplug” means you take a serious look at your busy life, at the busy life of your family and ask which things can we pull the plug on to gain time to be outside, individually and as a family. This will not be easy. I am suggesting you do something counter to our current culture.
But, take my suggestion seriously…in a short time you will discover a delight filled way of life…the “unplugged” life. My belief about unplugging? The more you do, the more you will delight in it. Time outside is never wasted.
While there are more reasons to consider an “unplug” for your family, these are, in my opinion, the 3 most important.
We are “hardwired” for awe. Because, we are hardwired for awe…this is reason 1 for us to “unplug” our personal lives and those of our families.Pastor Paul Tripp uses this word. He reminds us of our 5 senses and asks the question why do we have so many sensory gateways to understand the world around us. His answer is found in this brief video. It contains the words of writer, C.S. Lewis. Watch it, consider the concept of “awe.”
2. Time outside is really good for health…really.
3. Time outside will enable you and your family to know God is real…yes, you can know God when you spend time outside. For the rest of life you can look for God’s eternal power and divine nature in…His creation: nature.
This screen? Or the “screen above? Which has more beauty, more engagement for the human mind?
2. Start with family walks. Vary walks from your neighborhood to more distant places. Each time focus on one question-what can we discover? Keep dated records…then compare. (It’s not that much extra work. 😊)
3. Plan a family sit and watch. Use your back yard. Start with 10 minutes…sitting and watching creation. Increase time as the family can. Lister to each other share their favorite things.
4. The heavens declare the glory of God! Lay on your backs like the spokes of a wheel. Everyone quiet. After a few moments, dad or mom decides go around the family tell each other what you see. No repeats!
5. Pick a beautiful leaf from the ground. Youngest decides what’s beautiful. Sit in a circle on the ground. Pass the leaf around everyone share something true about the leaf. No repeats, try to go around 2X, how about 3X? Press the leaf between sheets of newspaper till dry, then put in an old photo frame or in clear contact paper. Write the day and place and who was with when you collected this leaf. You can do this with other leaves from other places.
6. Head to a tree. Oldest one in the family decides: pick the most beautiful tree in your yard. The oldest explains the reasons why. Gather around the tree. Touch it…look up the tree, smell the tree-then take turns. Everyone say something that is true about the tree. Take a picture of your tree every season.
7. Walk the edges. First walk the edges of your yard-all the way around. Make a list of things you find. Again, the oldest in the family writes. Expand this to a walk the edges of other places-the nearest park to your home. Do the same thing. If your family likes this- take them to a state park. (Have the second oldest make the boundaries for this!) Keep a record of your family discoveries. Take photos.
8. Night-watch Night-watch is for after the family evening meal-before bed time. (Done best in fall when nights are warmer (in the north) and sunset is 7:30 or sooner and mosquitoes are gone…dress for the weather) Lay on your backs-this time watch the night sky. Go around your group share what you see.
9. Get wet… yes, get wet. Dress for the weather. Rain gear is optional. As a family try to answer these questions-what is rain? What does water look like? Parents decide on two more questions. 😊
10. Lawn Jungle Safari expedition: Teach your kids what a safari (an African trek works.) Dress for the safari…wear clothes that work with dirty knees. Everyone on hands and knees in back yard. Youngest leads. Everyone crawls on the “safari” led by the youngest. Set a time limit. Take turns. Be sure to write down what you find.
Bonus: How things are doing hike. Ask your family to take a walk with you. You decide where, but make it easy. Keep track of the nature things you see that way you can compare on the next “How Things Are Doing Hike.” Do not worry about naming things, made up names are acceptable. Look for birds, plants, animals and keep in mind your family goal is to find out how things are doing-outside.
For parents:
1. Read Rachel Carson’s, Teach Your Child to Wonder. What things does Carson write about that you can use to add to your list of “UNPLUG” ideas? You will find many.
Or buy Carson’s book the Sense of Wonder- (same book, different title)starts at $4.63 on Amazon.
2. More information for unplugging your family may be found at: creatorwords.com Read the blogs entitled Unplugging Your Family. Look for new information weekly.
3. For families with young children consider purchasing this Bible:
Lloyd-Jones, Sally. The Jesus Storybook Bible. Zonderkids. 3900 Sparks Dr. SE. Grand Rapids, MI 49546. 2007.