10 Ways to pass the time with your kids while you’re trying to keep from being online
After my post last week where we all fessed up to our serious Internet addictions, I’ve decided to help you in your effort to GET OFF THE COMPUTER and spend more time with your children.
I know my children would benefit from the attention. *ahem*
{picture removed]
Enjoying some dirt while mommy checks her email for the 20 billionth time.
First of all in order for you to actually DO any of the things on the list you’ll need to prepare. You’ll want to get one last fix so start by looking at your email ONE more time, checking your stats ONE more time, reading those last few twitters and then *gasp* SHUTTING DOWN the computer. Simply putting it in sleep mode or shutting the laptop isn’t going to cut it…you already KNOW that you will peek and get sucked right.back.in. Now. Once it’s turned off, put the power cord in a really hard to reach place, like in that ridiculous cabinet over your refrigerator or have a trusted neighbor babysit it.
The power cord suggestion may seem a little much, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
“So what am I supposed to DO without Internet access?” you moan. Here are a few ideas!
1. Bake! Cookies, brownies, whatever. No, this doesn’t help with losing any extra pounds, but is sitting on your ass twittering really helping? I didn’t think so.
2. Water Balloons! Sure the throwing of water balloons between siblings will cause World War III, but think of it this way…all that arguing is killing time. Be sure to do this OUTSIDE. That’s the place on the other side of the door where the sun shines and it’s hot.
3. McDonalds Playplace/ Chick Fil-A Play area! The great thing about this suggestion is that it’s really a two-for-one outing because within a week after letting your kids play at a place like this, you’ll be leaving the house again to take them to the pediatrician when they come down with some terrible malady.
4. Library! This place is so awesome! They let you borrow books for –get this–FREE. That’s right! FREE! (Also they have time-limited Internet access there.) (Yes, I’m an enabler in your attempt to break your addicion.)
5. Crafts! You’ll be cleaning up glitter and wiping crayon marks off the walls and cutting glue out of your carpets for MONTHS to come. Think of all the time you WON’T be stumbling and commenting!
6. Clean the house as a family! See above. (Vacuuming also drowns out crying.)
7. Use your navigation system to go on adventures! This suggestion will sadly use entirely too much gas because you are certain to get lost, but think of the adventure! For extra educational value, have your navigation system speak in a foreign language, I especially enjoy British English. VERY foreign.
8. Play Hide and Seek! You hide in the bathroom (door locked) with some ice cream, OKAY, WINE and have the kids try and find you. (iPods can drown out the crying in this scenario.)
9. Take lots of pictures and video! Let your kids ham it up! What a great way for YOU to come up with even more fodder for the ol’ blog. (Me=Enabler)
10. Go take a walk to get your power cord back from your neighbor! You’ve earned it with all this “family enrichment” crap. You can even make it a FAMILY activity to go retrieve your power cord. Win-win situation!
And I’m enabling you by telling you that I linked to you tonight.
See? Lots of love to go around!
Headless Moms last blog post..Wednesday? Let’s Just Move On To Thursday
This sounds like me next week…but only because i won’t have access to a computer…and I don’t have a lap top…and we will be on vacation. I feel the stabbing pain of withdrawal already!
Jens last blog post..Playgrounds, Parks, and Drugs, Oh My!
I won’t do it… I won’t do it… You can’t make me shut down my computer…
I can minimize, I can prioritize, I just can’t shut myself off from the world. I’d feel naked. Nope, I just can’t do it… Sorry…
But your ideas are great - how about I make a deal with you and try a few of these with my computer sitting idle in the corner?
Jills last blog post..Let’s All Go To The Fair!
it’s so true, you do have to just SHUT IT OFF so you can actuallly DO and LIVE and ENJOY… Thanks for the inspiration!
bananass last blog post..A whole lot of Pottery Barn
Fabulous!!
I shut down my computer several times a day, but that’s mostly because it’s been overheating and my little fan/cooling thing it sits on is broken. It works, though!!
My little guy is too young for most of these suggestions, but I’m pretty sure I can adapt them.
the dragonflys last blog post..my lost art
Love it! Not that I’m going to like, DO IT or anything. But I love the post!
dysfunctional moms last blog post..Cyberstalkers: The Slime on the Web
hahah, you made me laugh out loud! be strong!!!
shazs last blog post..The clean
So you gunna do a seminar on this at BlogHer? And then another session on how to run really fast from mad mommy bloggers?
None of that will work with my Damn Emos and Boo always tells me to either go to bed or get back on my computer.
So I am just being the wonderful mummy and doing as my kids ask…
Kelleys last blog post..Where is my union rep?
Great suggestions. I’ll get right on those things once I’m done reading all my fave blogs! That will only take another hour or four!
wrights last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - Sticky Fingers
I just finished my last email check, twitter check, reader check, and now my last comment. Until afternoon naptime. Wish me luck.
Cathys last blog post..Randomness
*whining* ….but I still have so many blogs to read….
Tonis last blog post..No Rabbits Were Harmed For This Post
I am choking on my coffee! Funny stuff. (And I hope you weren’t serious, right? RIGHT??) I love the library comment. I have totally let my kids run wild in the library while I sneak in a quick twitter on the public terminals. Kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy - “At library. Kids running amok.” Ha! I love the picture of your baby with the dirt around her mouth. (Great for the immune system btw!)
Sue @ My Party of 6s last blog post..I’d Like Some Cheese With My Whine, Please
LOL. British English = VERY FOREIGN had me cracking up!!
pgoodnesss last blog post..Playroom redux
Oh my daughter definitly does not let me spend too much time on the computer.
Jackis last blog post..Clean up the house
wow. did you turn over a new leaf, or what?!?
I’d be at the library computer too…
Kristins last blog post..Birch tree peeking
Since I had the tornado/lightning strike imposed internet (and phone) haitus, I got a LOT done outside the box. My flowers look fricking awesome! I read 2 books! I painted trim for the new bathroom!
I, don’t laugh, considered a permanent unplug.
Silly wabbit. I would miss reading you, of course.
Sunshines last blog post..Not A Close Up - But a Nearby
We bake and clean A LOT to keep us occupied. Especially when I am this pregnant and can’t stand to be outside because I. May. Just. Melt.
AndreAnnas last blog post..A confession
Yay. Way to go… nice suggestions.
I swear this is the LAST BLOG I am reading while my kids are eating breakfast.
I am shutting down power shortly after writing this comment.
ohmommys last blog post..I just want them to act normal for 10 days.
SO funny!!!
I’ll be back on later to read all the rest of the comments that come after me.
beach mamas last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - The Perfect Beach Day
Great idea’s! I actually don’t get on the computor as much as I would like to…maybe that’s a good thing? Love the picture of your little sweetie eating dirt…yum!
Loris last blog post..I am not an evil step mother
Vacuuming (how on earth do you spell that?) doesn’t work if it makes your child SCREAM bloody murder. LOL Wee One can’t even look at it without getting the shakes.
Oh, and I linked to you on my site. I ADORE this blog.
Rph Mommys last blog post..Dear MrsDoucheBag at the daycare drop-off,
hahaha.
I have found that the vacuum drowns out crying, but hadn’t thought of the iPod. Great tip.
HRHs last blog post..How Hannah Montana infiltrated the Nirvana…
I swear that the ‘Fila is gonna start charging us playarea rent soon….
MizFits last blog post..Guest Chef Time!
Goodness, this is too funny! My internet was down for about 6-7 hours a few days ago and I wanted to die. I am seriously addicted. It’s sad really.
BUT my kids did get a lot LOT more attention that day. I think I need to find a balance, yet the thought of actually turning OFF the computer is not sitting well with me. I’m going to give it a try. Later, like maybe in a few minutes. First I have to check my email and my message board. And my other email. And read one more blog.
Ahem.
Rph Mommy, THANK YOU!!! That makes my day!
Miz Fit, I’m going to start charging the “Fila for my co-pays.
Kristin, I wish. Yet here I am, on the computer when I should be showering.
AndreAnna, you’re very pregnant and therefore exempt.
I have been known to throw the kids out back just so I can check my email. I’ve been better lately. Hence, the lack of posting, commenting and measly stats. It. is. killing. me.
Mama DBs last blog post..Comfort
I like #8 the best.
AMomTwoBoyss last blog post..One Word? As If THAT’s Something I Could Do
That picture! So cute!
I’m on my way outside with my boys!
Great post!
We are going to the library this morning but there will be no internet for me. It is all we can do to get through the 42 minutes of story time. There will be crying and dirty looks from the librarian. Would it be rude of me to where an ipod to story time?
Connies last blog post..Loralee Hangover?
I feel like I shouldn’t even comment … because then you’ll just read it and I’ll be all enabling and shit.
Oh well
Hydes
Hydes Like Uss last blog post..A Jumbly
being a working mom, my time with the kids is precious…so i really try to only use the internet at work and once they are in bed…and the truth is, they are all usually hogging tthe computer to play webkinz or club penguin anyway
alis last blog post..18A 4RE and other such idiocy
Good suggestions. Does the library have WiFi?
Sarcasta-Moms last blog post..Feeling The Pinch
I had to get back online and tell you we went outside (damn - it’s HOT!) and that we baked a cake. Well, it’s in the oven. I’m ONLY at the computer because I was nursing the baby….
hehe
Devans last blog post..A new haircut
Sounds like a great program but, nope, just can’t do it. I must, must keep reading and leaving comments on blogs. I’m too far gone.
Plus you forgot to mention that I need to take the battery out of the laptop and hide that, the backup battery along with the power cord.
T with Honeys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday - Watering the Grass
You’ve his the nail on the head with this one. I missed your post about being addicted to the internet but I can guess what you talked about. Hats off to your for confessing and being honest. I trick myself all the time saying sleep mode is enough but then I click right back. I’m learning to use my time wisely but it’s a balancing act. Great suggestions. For me going outside or out of the house is best.
Green & Clean Moms last blog post..No gas needed and it’s an SUV (kinda)!
What you mean get off my ass and do stuff?
No way man! I NEED the Internet.
NEED IT!
I find it incredibly easy to come up with ideas to do with my child…it’s the implementation of those ideas that I have problems with!
Helens last blog post..BBQ Tip #1…and #2
having had husband home on vacation for a few weeks…i am completely out of the loop with my blogging. i swear when he leaves tomorrow…the children are in bed early and i’m catching up…
oops…
he just got out of the shower…gotta go.
jens last blog post..what i learned while camping…
Ha ha — you are hilarious. And that list is totally awesome.
I highly recommend the library — ours has tons of free activities. And it happens to be right down the street from a McDonalds…a perfect way to kill two birds with one stone!
Maggies last blog post..Theme Thursday - What I Want
I started doing number one and discovered a whole new talent!
# 8 is my favorite. Especially the wine part. Especially.
Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..Mission Accomplished (Insert Maniacal Laughter Here)
Are you sure you didn’t pick something up at the Chick-Fil-A? Cause you sound a bit under the weather.
Anglophile Football Fanatics last blog post..Holy COW!
Great list … Anyone know where I can find a kid to do these things with?
Hugs and blessings,
storyteller, you can borrow mine!
I just had to say that your baby is absolutely adorable!
While not a big fan of Hide and Seek, Water Balloons and baking are great amounts of fun. Might want to be careful about baking with kids though.
Luxurys last blog post..my loves
Luxury, thanks! I’m a wee bit biased, but I think she’s pretty adorable, too.
Heh. What about the toy aisle at Target? We spent four hours there today.
Oh, Ella. A girl after Little Man’s own heart.
Maybe we can arrange a park outing where you can both eat sand. Now THAT would be hawt.
LMAO @ #3. So very, very true.
Stumbled for ya.
VDogs last blog post..Supermodel (You Better Work!)
I took your advice today…I had 9 kids here, only 3 were mine, I made brownies….I cut up veggies and made dip. I fed them all lunch and 5 of them dinner. I joked with them. I colored and played dolls. I watched them play Wii (the old lady here wasn’t ALLOWED to play).
Now I have 80 blog posts to read….are you happy?!
Mrs. Schmittys last blog post..Superballs And Bouncy Balls
I forgot to mention — when playing hide and seek, ALWAYS include the important note that it should only be played AT HOME. Because if a child might happen to hide in a store, and then not come out when called (because it isn’t part of the game), then the store MIGHT be locked down while said child is looked for.
I swear it hasn’t happened to me…but I know two others who were not so fortunate. Hence the only at home rule about hide and seek is a well known one around our parts…
Maggies last blog post..Theme Thursday - What I Want
You’re too funny, Jennifer.
Ella will be fine, dirt’s nutritious, right?
flickrlovrs last blog post..25 Things You Don’t Really Need To Know About Me
I could have used these excellent suggestions while I was still at home. We did many of these enriching activities - Elliot especially loves the library.
andis last blog post..Be careful what you wish for
ha ha. awesome post. But you’re crazy if you think I am getting off the computer.
Aimee Greeblemonkeys last blog post..Eventful Day
Way to twist the knife of guilt. As I sit here and my kids play Wii.
“Everyone! To your screens!”
Christines last blog post..Where I whine and complain
Ironically, after I posted my comment to that post admitting my serious addiction, I got super slammed busy at work! I’m trying to catch up now before the fam and I head off to our usual weekend adventures. I miss my blogs… *sniff*
Now why aren’t you writing for SavvySource? With those ideas you could be the perfect middle-of-nowhere Indiana blogger!
Will have to try the hide and seek with wine game.
Christinas last blog post..Haiku Friday: Potty Talk