We live in a world now full of distractions and junk food all around us. The pull TV and film have on us is unprecedented in human history. There are still people alive who grew up as children who never had these dopamine heavy hitters pulling on them.
I have noticed in my children how TV and junk food has a spell over their actions where the need to have them is similar to an addict craving their next hit.
The art of being bored is becoming lost with every generation and as an adult, I can see the challenges in this let alone a child dealing with these new impulses.
Wanting the best for our children’s health. We made a parenting decision to ban all junk food and reduce TV time to just 20 minutes a day.
Here’s what I found. The results are amazing.
How No TV And Junk Food
1. We Talk More
Without distractions from TV, I have noticed we defiantly talk more as a family. It’s so easy to have Netflix streaming all their favourite programs to give a parent rest bite or so they can focus on their work. But the only person that’s benefiting is you. Building a strong relationship with your child is the bedrock of a healthy child. The bond between parent and child is one of the strongest relationships there is. Nurturing this through quality one on one time without distraction is important.
2. Creativity Is Unlocked
Our first child never watched much TV when he was little. The creativity of a child is wonderous and the amazing things he created always impressed me. Since we reduced TV time he’s creativity has gone through the roof. Now he’s building his lego and creating playful games with his imagination. Creativity plays a major role in someone’s life and developing it in childhood is a great place to start. Without TV pulling him away from creativity, it’s now unlocked a part of his mind he can utilise more easily.
3. Become Calmer
The effects of sugar on a child’s brain are apparent and the need for a child to watch their TV shows. We started to notice a demand for sugar and tv that was making them emotionally unbalanced. After the second day, we noticed a profound calmness in our children that was amazing. They still asked for sweets and extra TV time. But when we said no it was more understood and overall their energy became less erratic and much calmer.
4. Mealtime Is Relaxed
Getting any child to eat their greens is a chore. We found it difficult getting our children to eat food with TV distracting them and eating healthy food when they have had sugar throughout the day. Now without TV, the food is eaten without having to tell them to eat. The tastebuds are changing to like healthier options more. Overall mealtime has become a resounding hit. Where we eat food without distraction building stronger connections with our children.
5. More Time For Learning
Every parent wants the best for their children and we are no different. But getting our child to do extra work at home was always met with sighs. In his mind, all he wanted to do was watch TV or play his games all day. This became a too and throw battle every time it was brought up and became tiring for both of us. Since TV time has been reduced it has become a lot easier to focus on his education at home. We have seen an improvement in his Maths and English writing and now he even looks forward to doing it.
6. Time Alone With Their Thoughts
Being happy to spend alone time with yourself is so important for everyone’s mental health. It always saddened me when my child hated to spend time alone and the need to be distracted compelled him. I’m happy to say this has now changed and the skill of being able to spend time with his thoughts happily is here. Now he’s developing his ideas and wants in life. He’s also becoming more independent and wanting responsibilities. Lastly, he is happy to spend time on his working on his projects happily. Without distraction, there is more time for mindful thoughts.
The Results
I’m so happy with the decision we made as parents. With the pull of TV, junk food, games and social media on children. It’s ever-important we educate ourselves on the danger this could have on a child’s upbringing.
When listening to people who have created these platforms they don’t even let their children use them. Steve Jobs created the iPad but refused to let his child use it, knowing its addiction fully existed. The same goes for social media developers who have come forward to state the dangers these platforms have and their children will never go on it until they are 18.
Deep down we all know the impact technology and the food we eat has on ourselves and our children. It’s just waking up our minds to action. To put the rights structures in place and to not let them control your thoughts. Balance Is everything and creating that for your child is so important.
These are my findings and I hope they help you with your parenting in any way.
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