Canoes are fun to take on lakes and rivers because they are so responsive to every paddle stroke. This makes them nimble and easy to maneuver on the water. However, until you get used to maintaining a forward direction with your paddling; you’re likely going to go in a zig-zag pattern trying to get to your destination. It’s ideal to have a second person in the canoe helping to paddle. A second paddler can make the journey much easier and more efficient . . . as long as both paddlers are on the same page.
Communication is key.
Imagine being in a canoe wanting to go left to the shore but not communicating this to the other person paddling. When you make adjustments to turn the canoe, the other person will make counter adjustments to correct what you just did. It won’t be until we communicate our desires to our canoe partner, that we will be able to work together towards a mutually agreed upon destination. In like manner, it is critical to speak and communicate clearly with those around us the things we are striving to do change with our screen-time habits and routines. If our spouse and children do not understand what we are trying to do and why we are trying to do it, we will make little progress changing screen-time habits in our homes. It will be like being in a canoe fighting the other paddler as you each try and get to different destinations.
Unspoken expectations are breeding grounds for resentment and contention. In my relationship with my wife, I’ve found that I don’t naturally voice everything I’m thinking and expecting to have happen. I’m really good at expecting things to be done a certain way without communicating what I’m thinking. And, oh boy! This caused grief and tension between my wife and I. I’ve noticed this pattern and try to voice everything I’m wanting to have happen. It’s amazing how the tension melts away once I explain verbally what I would like to see happen. Instead of negative feelings getting pent up and defensiveness ensuing, I put myself in a position to work with my wife to accomplish what I want when I voice my desires. Though I still forget at times, this practice has helped us work together on individual and collective goals with much greater harmony and less tension.
These same principles are at play as we strive to improve the screen-time habits our children engage in. Our spouse and children will be much, much . . . did I say MUCH!– more likely to cooperate in changing screen-time routines when they understand what our vision is! By sharing our vision of how better screen-time habits and healthy routines will benefit each individual person in our home, we will afford each family member the opportunity to buy into our vision and start paddling with us!
Top Photo by Roland Chanson on Pexels.com
Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com