Changing the Rules

Our family has gotten in a routine. And not a great one either. Justin would come home from work to kids and Momma going crazy, we would eat what I attempted to make for dinner and then we would turn on the TV and sorta take care of the kids until we were forced to get up and put them to bed.

I read an article on FB about how we as parents are too in to our phones, iPads, TV, etc and we aren't living in the moment. Our kids are only going to be little once - we only have this one chance - so put away your phone or turn off the TV because what you are watching is not more important than your babies.

Convicted, I talked to Justin about it and we decided no TV in the evenings while our kids were awake and limit our phone calls and iPad time. Because our kids are more important than what is happening on FB. And they are learning habits and skills from us - so they will be addicted to the phone or iPad for games or texts if we keep showing them that's what important.

So we started the no TV thing at night and I love it. We are more "with" our kids while playing and being together as a family. We have read more books, played more games, and actually gotten the kids to bed on time instead of waiting until the last minute or final commercial break to squeeze it in. Haylie is easier to put down and falls asleep quicker. Jace just falls asleep no matter what, he is one tired baby.

It's been a nice change for our family. I'm not going to lie - there are many nights when I would rather veg out or have Justin do all the work with the kids. But they are so important to me that I need to change my habits so they know mommy would rather be with them than watch some stupid TV show. I'm not judging those that do - we are just trying to make a change in our family, for us, for our kids.