Say No to Screen Time and Yes to Family Game Night
Too much screen time can be a bad thing. As a romance writer, I look at a computer screen for several hours per day. If I forget to blink or the monitor isn’t set to minimize blue light, I can roll away with painful eyes. The pain can take hours or even days to subside.
Besides painful eyes, I can get extremely tired. My eyes can be open, but my brain can be asleep.
As for developing brains and bodies, the effects of too much screen time can be far worse. It, for example, can lead to less time spent with family and friends. I will address that symptom in more detail shortly. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) lists more, such as:
- sleeping problems,
- performing poorly in school,
- reading fewer books,
- lacking in outdoor or physical activity,
- experiencing weight problems,
- becoming moody,
- having a poor self-image and body issues, and
- showing signs of FOMO (fear of missing out).
When Screen Time Is Too Much
Before it can have a negative effect on children’s brains and bodies, children must be exposed to it in excess.
The AACAP uses age to determine how much is healthy. For example, babies from 0 to 18 months should not have any exposure. Reaching 19 months is when exposure becomes acceptable. Two to five years are allowed an hour per weekday and no more than three hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Six years and older have the most screen time flexibility, focusing the restrictions on individual children with respect to their interests, hobbies, and activities.
So, how are you going to fill that downtime?
Oh. Because screen time in excess supports less time learning ways to relax and have fun, you cannot expect children to figure out what they could do. That could be my ultimate motivation for this blog post.
Remember how I said I would address less time spent with family and friends later?
That time has arrived.
Family Game Night to Your Rescue
Imagine a night where members of your family gather ‘round a dining table, laughing and carrying on. On the table, a boardgame is spread out. Playing pieces are in various positions on the edge of the board. The dice are in the middle, waiting for a player to roll them.
When my family and I went sailing, we played Parcheesi. After sharing a meal with friends, we played Balderdash. The children too young to play on their own would team up with adults. During summer vacation, we played Trouble, Sorry, and Dominos.
Maybe it isn’t a boardgame spread but cards held close to those family members’ chests.
On snow days with roads too treacherous for us to go anywhere, we played Hearts. Uno and Rummy 500 were afternoon favorites. In fact, we played Uno so much that we had to buy another deck! The cards became bent, faded, and otherwise unplayable.
I loved playing board- and card games not on a screen. The quality time spent with my family and friends was irreplaceable.
Is a family game night something you haven’t seen in a while, if ever?
With Coronavirus making remote learning a necessary option, I bet so. Everyone, including children of every age, is on his or her device. Forever looking at a screen.
I’m not saying you’re a bad mother for allowing too much screen time. No one is. Screens are a part of life, but here’s your chance to do something. Bring family game night back.
Steps for Creating Family Game Night
- Designate one family member to choose a board- and/or card game.
Need ideas? See TOP FIVE FAMILY BOARDGAMES OF 2022 or TOP FIVE FAMILY CARD GAMES OF 2022 below. - Designate one family member to choose a snack or two.
- Agree on a day and time for everyone to be mindful and present.
- Put cell phones and other devices in another room.
Don’t let family members sneak a peek at them until family game night is over. - Gather family members around a dining table or in a circle on the floor.
Once everyone is seated, pass snack(s) around. - Have another family member set up chosen board- or card game in the center.
- Play as instructed.
Don’t be afraid to talk, laugh, joke, eat, and otherwise let go of the stresses associated with daily living.
Top Five Family Boardgames of 2022
Like people, boardgames have their own specialties. Some are more strategic than others. Some are goofier than others. Still, some are more factual than others. Believe it or not, some are only about having a good time.
A good time is what family game night is all about!
My favorite boardgames are as follows:
Catan
This boardgame is purely strategic. Create your own cities and settlements, but builder beware. Materials you need come at a price. The boardgame expands to include two more players.
Herd Mentality
Answer questions to see how well you fit in with your family. Don’t get caught with Pink Cow, though. She’s your hot potato.
Rapidough
This boardgame has Pictionary meeting Charades in the 21st Century. Fast and fun, this boardgame will keep you on your toes, fingers, or whichever body part you use to sculpt the piece of dough with.
Ticket to Ride
In need of adventure? This boardgame uses that as you build railroads cross-country. Played it too many times? Need something fresh? The creator has made cards, etc. to expand on what came with the original boardgame.
Wingspan
In need of relaxation? This boardgame delivers on that promise when you build bird habitats. A bit of knowledge about birds is inherent. Watch out, though! A video game of the same name is available. Video games aren’t allowed at this family game night.
Top Five Family Card Games of 2022
Having a basic deck of playing cards around for family game night is ideal. Unfortunately, that kind of deck cannot accommodate every card game imaginable.
My favorite card games are as follows:
Dixit
This card game gets you to read the storyteller’s mind. Who wouldn’t like having that superpower?
Exploding Kittens
As a cat lover, I was immediately attracted to the title of this card game. It turned out to be much more than that, though. The mischievous cat theme, which couldn’t have been more appropriate for felines, was the ultimate hook, line, and sinker.
I Should Have Known That
This card game can cure your feelings of mental inferiority. Cards upon cards packed with trivia to make everyone smarter.
Splurt
Can your mouth move as fast as your brain can think? Or, vice versa? Hear the delightful sounds of laughter while this card game tests those skills.
Uno
Once a bestseller and now a classic, you can’t get tired of this card game. Even the youngest humans can benefit from each card’s number and color. They’re learning, but don’t tell them that.
With a bit of planning and scheduling, less time spent with family and friends has turned into more time spent with family and friends. Solitary screen time becomes quality family time. Like my romance novels, a family game night can and probably will have ups and downs, and twists and turns. Regardless, it should end in a happily ever after unless you have a serious sore loser in your family.
How did your family game night turn out? Will you make it a weekly activity? Why or why not?