2 Weeks SCREEN FREE: How It Went & What I Learned

Our family recently finished 2 weeks of no screens in our home. Today, I'm sharing a little about that experience, some things that surprised me, and some thoughts about screens in our homes. Thanks for watching!
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Hi friends! I’m Erin. I’m a homeschooling mom to 4 kids and we’re in our 8th year of this homeschool lifestyle. I love to share videos with tips about things we’ve learned along the way that have helped me out, as well as curriculum reviews and some heartfelt homeschool inspiration. I hope you leave here feeling encouraged that YOU CAN DO THIS!
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[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks for watching today!! ❤ Have you tried a screen detox? What was your experience?

[@liztefft5312]

We haven't tried it, but I would love to! 🙏

[@chrissydavison3469]

Yes! We went screen free from mid-May to mid-June. I read a book called 'Reset Your Child's Brain' which was super helpful in understanding the effects of screens on a child's (and adults'!) brain. Highly recommend it. I have 6, 4 and 1 year old and was noticing in the older ones certain issues and realized that screens could be the cause. They were (mostly). So now we have 1 day a week screen free, one day is family movie day with no other screen time and then rest of the days it's 1/2hr screen time (hoping to go to 1 hour if they continue to not show symptoms we were seeing before (anger at screen being taken away, waking up during the night, having bad dreams regularly, not wanting to go for walks / outside, etc). Not quite sure how we will handle it in September since my son's LA and maths programs are online...

[@karimuabena]

I am generation xer so I remember realtime. My home is 80 percent screen free and I home school with books maps and dictionaries imagine that. We fly kites ,stitch, garden ,swim ,read ,jump rope ,roller skate ,blow bubbles. The internet can be a barrier

[@katie7748]

Same but Millennial (mid-thirties...some of us are in our 40s) and it's sad how many children today don't know life without constant screens.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Same! I’m in the crossover generation “Xennial.” Love that! We do a lot of those same things too! ❤️

[@kayegenin123]

You totally inspired me to start at least a week without screens. My exception is gentle tv shows when my kids wake up and get in our bed before I’m ready to be alive. My kids are little so it’s hard to not default to tv time when I need a break. But since beginning, they’ve adjusted so well. They are playing with toys, going outside, reading books together, and my oldest (3yo) is loving snuggling and audiobooks with mom. The day feels so much longer and I feel proud of our family each night. I think there’s a time and place for using screens to get through hard times, but emerging into a healthier space and really living our life is wonderful.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Oh yay! I'm so glad to hear that! I love to hear how your family is enjoying your time away from screens, what a blessing for you! Thanks for sharing!!

[@kaliki76]

I'm having my children go screen free tomorrow. I'm still going to have my phone for myself, but their video games and tv shows are over. I didn't watch tv anyway, myself. Wish me luck

[@siobhanbloomer3172]

How's it going?

[@michaelbenzehabe8207]

I did the same . . . after starting music lessons. Once every three months, I would set one week aside as a "screen free" week. I didn't tell them how to fill the time, but both started writing music. Kids know how to fill the silence.

[@Brigitte695]

My conviction was to get rid of my tv and the IPad so I began my journey of a screen free home . Im excited to see the changes it brings to me and my children God is good

[@PineappleQTpie]

As a homeschooling mom with 4 kids 8 and under putting my phone down all morning has made me a happier mom. My older boys are not allowed to see tv until after 3pm and 2 years ago we took away their tablets. It has been a great sacrifice for me personally because that screen time provided me with some much needed peace but the kids character have only benefited so the pros outweigh the cons (for now)

[@MariaRomero-tt4bp]

Thank you so much for this video it has been a great blessing to listen to things we already know and should be doing but a lot of the times we are not. Thank you for your transparency I almost cried with you as you were speaking of the importance of our children in our life. I have been watching your channel just recently and have been learning so much. I still have not begun to homeschool but going to start in a couple months so I'm trying to learn as much as possible. Thank you for making these video's. God bless

[@theculturedkidlanguages]

Yes every year we have screen detox in winter. We go away to a log cabin where there is no reception and it snows and we sit by the fire and play games and cook good food and spend so much time bushwalking and just being together! It's by far our favorite family time that we have all year!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I LOVE that!! What a wonderful tradition and time together! ❤️

[@theculturedkidlanguages]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler It honestly always is. I love that you're prioritising talking about this. It's so important for families to be reminded of it.

[@HistoryfortheAges]

As someone who makes free History youtube videos to help families who homeschool their kids I still fully understand the need to give less screen time. And as a parent I 100% agree with no social media. I just saw another study the other day that showed the younger kids get social media the more depressed they are. I recommend a movie called the Social Dilemma.

[@tirzaellesson6355]

This has been on my heart and mind lately. I am so distracted with KZbin videos and podcasts. I am guilty of a lot of the same things you were talking about. Thank you Erin, for your encouragement in so many areas of our lives as moms. I am planning a screen detox for June, and we are kicking off the month with a Family weekend of just being together with no plans. We do try to limit screen time with the kids. However with them all getting into the teen years, (our oldest is 13, then we have a 12, 11, 10 and 8 year old) they have been on screens more than I would like. We have a couple school subjects on the computer (math, coding, typing) and they all like video games. It’s been tricky finding a balance.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

My pleasure! I’m so excited for you for June!! Please report back and let me know how it went! ☺️

[@mindybuda1112]

Ohhhh friend. You’re speaking straight to me. I feel like I’ve lost all control of my household this summer, and I need to reclaim our peace. We’ve allowed way too much screen time. Thank you for this very real testimony!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

❤️🥰❤️

[@cherryfloridavlog9110]

Thank you for this video , I came home from work and search how to love our self … I run in to your video called go screen …. It make sense so much … thank you kindly … make more videos like this … I was so confused on my decisions and first is to love my self first , I spend too much time online and yes we forgot our reality cos we spend to much online .

[@jessicabrown6943]

Thank you for this video! This is so much of what I have felt lately. We do the same in monitoring what our kids use screens for as well as how much time. But I’ve found that no matter how good the content screens just do something to your mind when you watch too often. We started May 31st a “Screen free summer” we didn’t do it like punishment. We just explained that our minds need a break, and we need to reset and refresh. So we made a big list of fun summer activities that are free and no screens. The kids helped us and came up with things like…. Play in the sprinkler, board games, build a fort, ride bikes, ping pong, go to a park, frisbee, paint, playdoh… and lots more. We’re trying to do at least one a day. They were not too happy about screens being gone, but also not as sad as I expected. They have played soooo well together. They have played outside more, gotten more exercise, and the biggest thing I didn’t expect is that instead of bedtime taking 2-3 hours they are all asleep in about 30 minutes!! I guess when your brain isn’t consumed with screens you actually physically get tired and your mind can shut off faster. I also noticed I go to sleep faster and feel more rested in the mornings, and I LOVE being involved and present more in their play and free time. Even dad and I are cutting back to only a very minimal time at night after they go to bed. They have enjoyed us being involved in their free time too. They have been asking me “momma are you going to come play with us?” ❤ As far as bringing back screens I can say it will be an occasional treat after summer is over. I feel like “as little as possible” will be our goal. Definitely not every day.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Love that so much!! Thanks for sharing! ❤️

[@siobhanbloomer3172]

Amen Sister I agree with everything you've said!! I think my way of saying no to the distraction with my phone is telling myself it's the devil trying to distract me from my children.

[@toriwill5967]

Wow!! This was power packed!! Thank you for speaking such truth!! And for these amazing reminders!! Amen and amen! You’re so very inspiring and such a blessing Erin!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Aww, thank you! GOD is good!

[@cececarter7663]

So inspired. Thankyou 💕. A distracted Christian is ineffective. Prov 27v23 ....give careful attention to your herds.... So encouraged by being convicted. I need to look at this. We do have planned "90s holidays". No screens, hidden phones for calls only and have Tv (mostly DVDs- VHS not available 🤭) radio allowed with planned trips and outing and board games. Now for general life... Thanks 🎉

[@Dreblueskies]

I’ve had this in my watch later and knew I needed it but kinda didn’t want to hear it. I wish time was like it was in the 90s because it just seems all this technology complicates life more than help. Thank you so much!! I’m committed to do this myself. BTW your lipstick looks great! So many of us women have forgotten lipstick lol!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Right there with you! I miss the 90's in so many ways! 😆 And thank you!

[@RuralCanadianMom]

Yes, thank you very much for this video. God has placed this issue in my heart for a while now. I so want to quit screen time for a while, and enjoy my days with my children and husband.

[@Mishwelly]

I’m glad I found your channel. I wish we were friends lol! You just spoke my heart for real.

[@elizabethbrink476]

This topic has been on my heart! Your video has made me excited, instead of fearful, to turn off screens! Thank you!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Yay! So glad to hear that! Best wishes!

[@Amy-vo9rb]

Thank you so much for this video! It was just the encouragement I was looking for to cut screens for awhile. :)

[@jennifers.8844]

Thank you for sharing! When you did your screen free time, did you include no text messages, phone calls, and emails for you and your husband? And how did you handle your kids’ math work that they do online?

[@DuryeaAndWild]

Thank for this beautifully articulated video! We’re about to embark on a screen free adventure ourselves and I’m looking forward to returning to more creation on the other side!❤

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Hope you have a blessed experience! ❤️

[@MaryMary-yz5gv]

Thank you for sharing this important and heartfelt video. I work from home and am still struggling to figure this out since my kids see me on the computer a lot. We don't use social media other than youtube, but we use the TV way too much. :( I like the idea of time blocking screen time.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Time blocking it out is a great idea!!

[@robertsontribe]

This was a great reminder! Thank you ❤

[@Melissa-jq2qn]

Great video! We have struggled with an obsession with screens (especially our tv). Our kids have also had obsessions in the past with video games, laptop, and tablets. We have now gone 8 weeks with our tv unplugged and out of sight. It has been very refreshing. My kids have been more creative and we have been to the library twice. My kids have been reading SO MUCH and they have probably been reading the most they ever have. I know screens can be used for good, but there is also so much garbage on there. My goal is to be more intentional with my time with my family. Of course, we can still improve. Myself and my husband are still on our phones too much, so we need to fix that. I honestly don't know if i want to plug our tv back in because i dont want us to fall back into the trap of being obsessed with it. I like how you worded that..."coexisting"

[@amymacdonald8396]

So greatful for you video and insights ❤

[@Paigelovesbooks]

Thank you, Erin! Much needed message!!

[@Obaapanaa]

Great video and the topic was on time as always! I’m a solo homeschooling mom of 4 boys between 8-14 and a girl (older) and we live in Arizona where summers are in the triple digits. The only thing to do is the pool but I get severe migraines from the heat and so there’s not much to do except screens (we do the pool 3x a week) which I limit to 1-2 hours a day. Any ideas/activities on what to do when you can’t go outside will be appreciated. We go out in the evenings a few times a week after 9pm but then our days start late. It’s challenging because I have no support system or help at the moment but I’m grateful to God for strength. Also, I work from home running a small business and Instagram is my main marketing tool so it’s hard to turn off the screen but I will try to detox even if it’s a week. Again thank you for your videos and sharing your heart and tips to help with homeschooling/home making ❤🙏🏾

[@Clutterfreecarli]

Wow! This came at such a perfect time. We are actually doing the same thing right now. I’m a content creator on Ig and it can be especially challenging. Recently, I felt the Lord speaking to my heart that if I’m going to take screens away from the kids, then I need to be off more too!!! ❤

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

That’s so great! I had to step back from IG because it was too much doing both YT and that! Creating all the time can be exhausting! Blessings to you!

[@Clutterfreecarli]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler yes!!! And I feel like Instagram is so much more demanding then KZbin in order to keep up with the Algorithm and engagement!! Love your channel! So blessed to have found you!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

@@Clutterfreecarli IG is def more demanding as far as needing daily, or almost daily content, which is tiring to plan and keep up with! YT generally requires a lot more time to produce content (each of my videos is at least 10-15 hours - sometimes more) and the general rule for the algorithm is at least one video a week. Either way, it’s a lot, and doing both was too much for me to handle! 🤪

[@Clutterfreecarli]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler it really is!!!!! At the end of the day I try to remind myself that as long as I’m reaching and helping just one person for the kingdom, nothing else matters. You are doing that!!!!! You are doing wonderful ❤️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

@@Clutterfreecarli Amen! 🙌🏼

[@hopemullen9451]

Just a thought, for the kids that may really resist the idea of no screen time. Start with having them pick a subject they are really interested in like cooking, gardening, woodworking, science experiments, or geography. Switch free screen time, to purposeful time on a screen. Screens are a tool and when used correctly are a blessing.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Agreed! Great tip. We definitely utilize purposeful screen time.

[@carriebilbrey]

In the struggle here. To be honest, we are a 2nd shift, one car family and it’s just the kids and I home all the time. Trying to fill the time at night is when I allow video games. My two are pre/early teens and they do not have social media or smartphones. They just play the switches BUT I know this is too much. We started to do a two week break and life happened and it was soooo easy to shrug it off. I will be vulnerable and say that I just celebrated one year sober yesterday and for me it was something I had to completely let go of. Sometimes I wonder if that is the key to video games because it sure is hard to allow in moderation.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

First of all, congratulations on the huge milestone! 🎉 That is such an amazing accomplishment! 👏🏼 I hear what you’re saying about games as well. They are very addicting, especially for kids… That’s definitely a fine line that we all have to skirt and decide for each of us what we want to allow, and what is beneficial vs. a distraction. I don’t have the perfect answer for us either… I did find that kids are resourceful though, and often we don’t give them enough credit for being able to come up with other things to do. I was surprised at how much my kids just started doing on their own when we shut off the screen (and now that we are using screens again, how a lot of that has stopped). I need to spend some time reassessing all of this for us as well. Blessings to you! Keep up the great work! ❤️