Smart Kids v/s Dumb Devices

The garden lay all so green with pebbles and stones, flowers and butterflies, badminton courts and kabaddi ground. As my eyes peeped beyond the window I could not find any of those tiny heads, my ears could not hear noisy yowling as there was silence outdoors.

Indoor there was an atmosphere which spoke of peace. I was quite contended as I could finish my pending work, solace in my room undoubtedly churned my creative ability more and I thanked my stars for conferring me with such a serene and tranquil setting. Happily singing a tune I started off with my writings and pleaded God that I should at least complete few of my pending deadline schedules.

But at the cost of what? Yes, my little daughter was merrily indulging and nourishing her skills pushing those key here and there, smiling and giggling all her way to the next level.

Enjoying every bit of that ecstasy she was so euphoric with her eyes not even blinking for a second, her expressions were unique as she spoke to her best friend, her body language had that enraptured mode which surely made her look funny in a way but was it hilarious or just an alarm for me?

With modern lifestyle, life has completely taken new attire which is very different from what we had in our early days. Outdoor games are not as popular as it used to be with these kids.

Indoor activities are more prevalent. Either scrolling with that remote or being glued to all those multifarious channels or playing games on P.C. or just fondling with the smart phone…these options have surely made those smart kids dumb and as a mother I suffer from a sense of brewed emotions.

I want my kid to enjoy all those pleasures which I had relished when I was a child but that dumb world of smart technology allures the little brain and the chemistry has a perplex magnetism. It’s becoming quite an arduous task for mothers who desire the best of everything. Their own freedom, balanced lifestyle, peaceful atmosphere and a genius kid, now that’ too much like an imperious, demanding Mom.

Smart technology, dumb users or smart children, smart parents or alluring devices, busy parents or blah blah blah , the witty phrases can go on for a great write-up topic but in real sense it’s quiet a blurring reality.

So a few tips on how to induce outdoor activities through smart techniques.

• Let them have 1 hour break every day outside.
• Inculcate interest in some specific outdoor games, Swimming, Badminton or Basket ball.
• Let them learn the game in a professional way. Classes are a good idea.
• A walk with your kids in the park and playing some games which you played in your childhood. Both parents can team up with siblings.
• Time to time picnics and walks in nature’s green patches.
• Time limits for watching T.V. and playing on devices.
• Making them aware of the repercussions of indulging excessively on these activities.
• Talking out to them and spending more time.
• So just act smart and give those devices a dumb break.

Ronita-Maitra Bhandari is a free-lance creative writer who writes for various sites and blogs. She has also done a certified course in “Positive Parenting” from U.K. She is a mom to a 7-year-old and loves nurturing her greatest resource, her daughter. Apart from writing she is a nature lover and gets energised wandering around green patches. She believes family is a treasure chest and children are those precious jewels in the chest who sparkle to illuminate lives. What else would one desire to live a rich life?