Limiting the usage of gadgets for kids on holidays
WHEN I was a child, going on holiday was a treat in itself. Sure the journey may have been long and the endless games of ‘eye spy’ a tad irritating, but we were away from home, often by the sea and if we were really lucky, even in another country.
But this sort of excitement doesn’t seem enough for today’s children as most need to be armed with every sort of electronic gadget for them to be able to endure the plane ride and the hours spent in their parent’s company by the pool or, worse still, in the middle of the countryside.
A new report from Website Sunshine has shown the average child takes luggage worth a staggering €500 with them on holiday as tablets and smart phones have become an essential part of holiday luggage.
Laura Haugh, Mum-in-Residence for MummyPages.ie, says bringing technology on holiday has definitely becoming the norm.
“The feedback from the mums in our community is that portable technology is a key item on their list to pack for holidays for a variety of reasons. For younger children, tablets, DVD players and small game consoles can help to ease the boredom of long journeys in confined spaces.
“They also help to keep younger children occupied when they are required to stay out of peak sun times and they enable a quieter evening meal for tired children when dining out at a later time than the usual routine.”
Haugh says Irish mums also believe that bringing technology on holidays can be especially handy for older children when away from their friends for a long period and is invaluable in keeping everyone occupied should the weather not be up to scratch.
“Technology definitely helps teens to wind down and occupy themselves particularly in the evening time,” she says. “It is also good as a back-up plan if experiencing poor holiday weather, where the family are simply unable to get out and about.
“But the trick is to limit the time and way the technology is used — after all it is a family holiday and a time for spending quality time together and enjoying each other’s company. Once the boundaries have been set and agreed upon, digital technology should not interfere with your family holiday in a negative way.
“The most successful and enjoyable holidays are those which have been well planned out with more than just technology as a ‘Plan B’ for rainy days. A little research in advance is likely to reveal many other more suitable activities and local attractions identified to do on these days.”
Child psychologist, David Carey says the amount spent on technology for children and the time they spend engrossed in it is excessive. “It isn’t at all uncommon for children to take a smart phone, a tablet, a game console and maybe some other form of electronic technology with them on holidays, and while these can be helpful on long journeys, children’s gadget time needs to be monitored,” he advises.
“Parents should know what games children are playing and game time should be limited to short bursts with some time for chatting, napping and movement built in. Like all play activities parental guidance is important.
“Also too many families are experiencing financial difficulties because, at least in part, they are trying to provide their children with the very best of gadgetry. Children are driven to want what marketing experts tell them they want, but a parents’ responsibility is simply to provide the basics then move on to the non-essential items without breaking the bank.”
The Dublin-based psychologist says once on holiday children should put aside their gadgets and spend time with their parents and siblings. “Holiday time is meant to be fun for the family,” he says. “Children should be encouraged to spend time with one another, with adults and in making new friends when possible. Exercise is also important so passive sitting and game playing is not a productive way to spend a vacation.
“Children sulk when they want to get their own way and when they have learned that sulking gets the desired result — so parents should never give in to a sulking child. Be firm, stand your ground, know when to say no and to mean it.”
Carey says gadget time isn’t always a bad thing. “Depending on the age of the child a certain amount of electronic gadget time can be built into a child’s day. For young children half an hour is sufficient, as they get older it can be increased to one hour and for children over 12, two one-hour periods is sufficient. I see no reason to extend it beyond that time.
“Family holidays are for fun, activity, quiet reading around a pool, eating together, going out to explore the environment and learning how people in different areas or countries live their lives.”
www.mummypages.ie
www.davidjcarey.com
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
