Ah, summer. The time when you have to entertain your kids, and you wonder what you're going to do with them all day! Sometimes, all they want to do is be on their phones, right?

 

Timmerie explores how our culture has shifted from being play-driven to phone-driven. 

 

The Scenario: A few summers ago, Timmerie invited some kids and parents over for an outdoor evening with s'mores and a fire pit. The excitement of traditional fun didn't last long; the kids were soon inside, bored and asking for a TV (which Timmerie doesn't own). Even the parents couldn't handle being without their devices.

 

The Realization: Timmerie realized she was hosting people who didn't know how to entertain themselves without technology. That's a tall order! She had to think on her feet and decided to engage them in physical activities, like breakdancing, which surprisingly worked. The kids were captivated, and the adults finally relaxed and engaged.

 

The Book Connection: This experience reminded Timmerie of Jonathan Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Haidt, a social psychologist, looks at how technology and social media are rewiring children's brains, causing severe anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and dysphoria.

 

The Bigger Picture: The shift from a play-based culture to a phone-based one is pretty concerning. Kids today don't know how to enjoy simple pleasures like playing tag, making shadow puppets, or having a bonfire. Remember those days? This lack of physical and face-to-face interaction is devastating, not just to kids but to adults as well.

 

Timmerie's Challenge: She encourages parents to foster play and boredom in their children. Simple activities like running through sprinklers, playing with sticks, or even drinking from a hose can be delightful. Parents really need to actively engage with their kids to cultivate these experiences.

 

🔗 Closing Thought: As we navigate a tech-heavy world, it's crucial to reclaim our time and enjoy the simple, yet profound joys of life. Let's put down the phones and embrace real, hands-on play and connection. Life is too short!