Since you’re reading this I’m 100% certain you use technology regularly. As parents, we want to do the best we can in raising our kids. But what is the best?!
As I scroll through news feeds, I have great compassion for parents.
There are countless headlines screaming that we’re doing this parenting thing wrong.
In fact, we parents often get the message that we’re ruining our children.
We’re told we’re smothering our children and we’re called helicopter parents if we’re watching our children too closely. Yet minutes later we read stories about parents being chastised for letting their children play in the backyard unsupervised.
How do parents handle their children’s draw to technology?
Technology is also given a bad rap. Parents are often told that technology makes their children dumb and that technology is dulling their children’s senses.
Yet we live in a society that’s driven by technology! There’s almost no escaping it unless you go off into the wilderness without any electricity or WiFi.
I agree that excess is never good. But I also believe that cutting our children off from technology can be more detrimental.
Children need to learn how to responsibly use technology.
Today I want to share some top ways in which I connect with my children via technology! In fact, I’m going to show you how intentional use of technology can be a good thing!
There are various ways to connect with your child through technology.
Parents are often told that technology is ruining their children, but #technology is unavoidable! Here's how to use technology to connect with your children. #parenting Click To TweetLISTEN TO A PODCAST
I love podcasts. I get a lot of my personal and business information from podcasts.
Why not introduce your children to the world of podcasts?!
There are many fabulous podcasts for children. We recently discovered the Dream Big podcast. My girls love Eva Karpman. They LOVE that a child hosts the podcast. Episode 66 was one of my favourites – it was all about making New Year’s Resolutions and setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. It was inspiring for me and my girls!
Eva has had some fabulous guests on her show like:
- Mel Robbins (author of the 5-second rule)
- Nicholas McCarthy (one-handed concert pianist)
- Chris Hadfield (Canadian astronaut)
So snuggle up with your child and listen to podcasts!
HAVE THEM TEACH YOU THEIR FAVOURITE VIDEO GAME
I admit that I have some favourite video games (like Harvest Moon and Civilization)! Children, like us have some video game preferences as well.
Why not ask your child to teach you how to play a game they love?! It’s a wonderful way to connect with your child. Plus, this shows your child that you’re interested in the things that they’re interested in!
USE TECHNOLOGY TO EXERCISE
Parents are bombarded with messages that technology is contributing to childhood obesity.
But parents can counter that argument by using technology to increase their children’s physical activity.
We are huge fans of Pokemon Go. When the weather is nice, my girls and I go for big walks and try to catch Pokemon. Also, our long walks help us hatch Pokemon eggs. My girls love it!
GeoCatching is another way to incorporate technology with exercise.
MAKE A YOUTUBE PLAYLIST AND HAVE A DANCE PARTY
YouTube is a fabulous source for music.
I love that I can find songs that display the song’s lyrics as well. Why not create a playlist of some songs and host a living room dance party!
READ ALOUD FROM A DIGITAL BOOK
I’m a huge fan of reading aloud to children. Digital books expand your library without encroaching on your space.
We have a Kindle and we buy our books from Amazon. Many of the digital books are more affordable than hardcover or paperback copies.
So snuggle up under a blanket with your child and read a fabulous digital book!
As you can see, technology is a good thing. Parents shouldn’t be afraid of technology, but rather, intentionally use technology to connect with their children.
Psst – Here are some additional ideas for how to connect with your children.
SHARE WITH OTHERS
I absolutely love how you turned this around to be a great thing to share with your kids. While I get the drawbacks laid out with too much technology for all. I also hate that we demonize it when let’s face it it’s all around us. And what better way to use it then for good with our kids. So definitely love your advice here, especially the dance party idea :) Thanks, my friend and hoping you a re having a great week so far now xoxo <3
I’m delighted you enjoyed this Janine. Technology has so many benefits… I enjoy focusing on those.
How refreshing is this post! Most of what we see is geared towards “screens are poison!” and plenty of useful ways to engage with your kids without technology. Those are great to have, but I completely agree that shunning technology altogether isn’t realistic or really even good for kids who are now growing up in a world run on tech platforms. So lets teach them that technology is a tool used to enhance relationships, not replace them.
And besides, anyone one freaking at the sight of a toddler holding an ipad is more than welcome to sit beside my son the next time we fly from Alberta to Ontario. I’ll enjoy my glass of wine in peace, thank you very much :D.
I’m delighted you enjoyed this Monica. I’m kind of getting sick of the screens are bad mantra – our kids are submerged in a culture full of technology – we need to teach them how to use technology in healthy ways.
I love your point about the iPad on the plane. People are quick to judge but you can bet they wouldn’t be happy if your child was miserable on the plane ride!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
Those are all really great ideas. Madison enjoys teaching me how to play her games, we’ve been playing Mario Party quite a bit. Audio books are awesome too. While we embrace technology here in our house, we also love being outdoors as well.
We love outdoors and nature as well — but technology isn’t the big evil that we keep hearing about – there are some wonderful benefits too.
I love that Madison teaches you her games. So sweet.
Podcast. What a good idea. I think there are many ways to use it for good. As with anything, it’s all about keeping it in check and using it for good.
Exactly… keeping it in check and moderation.
I love it! What I always read are the negative effects of devices on our kids. I couldn’t agree more especially if the use is excessive and affecting almost every aspect of their lives. Like my teen son for example. He’s so much into video games that it affects his behavior, studies, and sleep. We set rules regarding screen time but these teens (remember when we were that age?), they’re sneaky. We have a parenting site, too- Parenting Monkey. What I do is send him the links for him to read. Every article I read (like this one), I send to him. But podcast and exercise videos are good to know, thank you.
I’m delighted you enjoyed this Nena. The positive effects of technology are often overlooked but we need to focus on the positive too. We live in a society which uses technology all- the-time. We need to teach out children to use it responsibly.