Day 23: The End

We made it. Family Meeting accomplished! Some of us made it in a more relaxed fashion than others. The Teen came home from swim practice and was ready to have the family meeting in her wet suit and drippy hair. Little Miss had been moaning about being sooooooo tired. Turns out, she perked right up when this all went down. Of course, the good doctor and I weren't too worried. Despite how often we are challenged - we are in charge. (At least in our own minds!)

I asked everyone to go around and say one good thing that came from our media free time. It took a minute, but everyone found something. I was glad to hear some of the things that had been on my list being shared from little mouths. I then asked everyone what they thought our next plan for media should be. I was really surprised that none of the suggestions were unlimited access for an unspecified period of time. I guess we really have stolen the hope and joy away from the kiddos. We settled on a slight version of our previous plan. No more than one hour of media a day - tv, computer, phone apps/social media, etc. That hour needs to be completed by 5:30pm when the parents arrive home from work. A cardinal rule... No complaining at 5:30pm. We shall see how long we last. The good doctor declared that from time to time we will take these breaks. I think that some people nearly had an apoplectic attack. "WHHHHAAAATTTT? This isn't over????" Oh, Rev, you always know how to close out a conversation.

We wrap up and the kids head off to shower and get ready for bed. Next thing I know, The Teen is milling around the door to my bedroom. I am contemplating all that I need to do before departing on my trip. The good doctor has worries of his own and was laying on the floor stretching/thinking. We finally notice her and she starts to cozy up to us. "Well, umm, do you think that maybe, I mean

maybe, I could just check Insta tonite. I mean, well, we've decided and everything, so I was thinking..." I couldn't help myself, I burst into laughter. The addiction is real. And, for those keeping score, the answer was, "Tomorrow is soon enough, dear."

See you all on the other side of South American travels!

Days 11-22: The Break

I'm back at work - and back online. "Officially." We survived the winter break without media access. There have been moments of angst here and there, but for the most part it has become a part of our family rhythm. There was a slight miscommunication between the Mother-ship and I and the girls did not spend the week at Grammie's house. As a result, there was a lot of time to consider our media-free status. Tonite is our family meeting to talk about what our future plan will be in the day to day. It will be interesting to see how it all works out once the brain trust assembles. If you feel a slight quake around the dinner hour PST, you will know that it has been settled.

As I look back on the last week and a half, here are a few reflections inspired by the two viewings of the best movie of the year:

• Trivial Pursuit Family Edition saved our hiney! (Thanks, KMac!) This was a new Christmas gift for the kids and it has been played almost daily. Faster paced that its predecessor, this one engaged ages 11-44 without complaining or sighing.
• I turned 43 last Tuesday. With the exception of the three messages I received from Facebook Messenger (I kept that app on my phone) and a handful of texts from my closest pals, I did not hear from "everyone". It was sort of like 10 years ago - when no one knew it was your birthday unless you told them. Social media has its pros and cons, but one thing I truly believe - birthdays are better with Facebook! I am looking forward to logging on in a bit. 
• Speaking of the FB, it has become a data source for me. Almost daily I went to my phone to look up where someone worked, the name of their middle child, etc. I am not sure that this is a bad thing, but it is certainly something to note.
• At one point, Little Miss whispered to me and the good doctor: "Don't tell anyone, but I kind of like this no media thing."
• Over these 11 days, we saw lots of friends and family. We took pictures and made memories. As I have known life before all moments of each day were shared online, this was fine for me. I suspect that The Teen has an arsenal of photos ready to upload to Instagram this evening. 
• The good doctor and I have gone to bed at a reasonable hour. The university shuts down for the week between Christmas and the new year, Rev had a few remaining vacation days. We had fun, full days. And, were in bed most nights by 10pm. (I am returning rested...)
• Some people in my world have changed a lot in these last few weeks. Being offline has taken me out of the world of new babies, engagements, losses. It has made me wonder about some friends from church that I haven't seen in a few weeks. It has left me lost in a few conversations where the group was talking about something I had no frame of reference to understand. Not so much a fear of missing out from me, but an affirmation that living on a ranch in the middle of nowhere is not going to be a life-fit for me.

Another experiment coming to a close. More news tomorrow. Happy New Year!