So, should we go ahead and address the giant elephant in the room? Obviously, I am using some sort of device with a screen to type this page and obviously, you are using some sort of device with a screen to read this page. So what exactly do we mean by a screen free summer? Let’s break down how we define it for our family.

#1- Screen Free means abstaining from technology as entertainment.

To be fair, we already limit screens quite a bit. Our children do not have their own tablets, smart phones, or computers. There is not a TV in any of their bedrooms and we only allow video games as a whole family activity. Even so, I feel like we can fall into the trap of defaulting to watching a movie or playing Wii as our only source of entertainment or family time. So for us, Screen Free Summer means saying “no” to screens as entertainment so we can say “yes” to more focused quality time as a family where we engage with each other instead of just vegging out.

Things we will be saying “no” to include: TV, YouTube, video games, computer games, cell phone games, tablet time, all social media apps, etc.

#2- Screen Free means not using technology as a babysitter or pacifier.

Here’s another trap that is so, so easy to fall into! And let me tell you that TV or a cell phone has been my saving grace many, many times. I wouldn’t have taken a shower for about 4 years straight without it! I even used to strap my kids into their high chairs and plop them in front of the TV just so I knew that they couldn’t get into anything or run away while I was out of the room. (And before anyone gets upset, there was always an older, trusted child supervising as well.)

All that to say, that I know as parents we all need just a few minutes of peace sometimes and a screen is usually a surefire way to get it. So during Screen Free Summer, we are committing to finding other ways to keep our children engaged and happy. I have lots of tips and tricks for this, so stay tuned!

#3- Screen Free means the adults in the house model what we expect our kids to do.

For us this is a whole family effort. It would be ridiculous and hypocritical for us as the parents to nag our kids all summer long to be screen free while scrolling Facebook or watching YouTube. The whole point is for us to have a family reset and really focus on our relationships with each other for 8 short weeks. I gave up Facebook a long time ago and have not looked back. I am so much happier and freer and I really don’t even think about it anymore. I’ve never had Twitter or Instagram and I’m not even sure what TikTok is all about. I do however enjoy Pinterest and am I member of several community forums that I check frequently. So for Screen Free Summer, I have removed those apps from my phone to completely eliminate the temptation to mindlessly scroll. I really very rarely watch TV, but will be omitting that during this time as well.

#4- Screen Free means functional, purposeful technology is allowed.

This challenge is not about being legalistic or unrealistic at all. I do own a smart phone and will still have it with me wherever I go. My husband needs a computer for pretty much every part of his job. I will be checking emails and using my computer to blog and plan our homeschool year and attend trainings I am required to do this summer. We also have a zoom meeting once per month with all of my extended family and that is absolutely “allowed”. I don’t want anyone to come into this challenge worried about breaking the rules. Just remember that our focus is shutting down all screen-related entertainment, not getting rid of all technology completely. So no Candy Crush, but Facetime Grandma as often as you like! And take care of any necessary screen-intensive tasks after the kids are in bed completely worn out from all of the fun they had being away from their screens!