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Let’s Talk About Tech

I am guessing if you are reading this, you grew up in a pre -cell phone era. You remember Encyclopedia Britanica, phones with cords, pay phones, and going to a neighbours house to see if they could play. You remember signing books out from the library to write a report. Not so for our kids. They are growing up in a much different time and we’d be unwise to not admit that and educate ourselves about it.

First of all, I’m just going to go ahead and admit that I, AS A GROWN WOMAN WHO DID NOT GROW UP WITH SCREENS, have a very hard time responsibly monitoring my screen usage. I know I do not want to be “addicted” to my phone, but looking at the hours tracked begs to differ. So if I, with my fully developed brain, struggle to make wise choices when it comes to technology than how on earth can we expect our kids to regulate this. I have recently put a time limit for social media on my phone and it’s pretty eye opening. If you haven’t done this for yourself, I highly recommend it. I do think it is wise for us to understand how we are modelling this behaviour as we look at kids and tech. This is a hard pill to swallow. Do I want my kids to use technology exactly as I do? No. I don’t. And thats a humbling thing to admit. Once you admit that, you can’t ignore it. Ask yourself that question, mama. Do you want your kid to use technology exactly as you do?

Having said that, I just want to clearly say that YOU ARE THE PARENT. You get to decide if they have access to screens. full stop. Let’s not utter excuses like “well all their friends have it”. You are responsible for only your kid. Sometimes we need to go against the grain and I strongly believe this is one of those times. Maybe chat with friends who have kids the same age as yours and make a commitment to each other to not give your kids a device. If you can’t find anyone to join you on this journey, go it alone. Our kids are worth it. You need to believe that. “Right is right, even if no one is doing it and wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it”. Let’s be brave enough to do the hard thing for our kids and protect their childhood.

Another big reasoning I hear is that these devices are educational or they need them for school. Well, let’s stop right there. Are kids smarter these days than we were growing up? I honestly don’t find that to be the case. I actually think we are doing our kids a disservice by having so much of their schooling online. There are too many kids in jr high that cannot spell. They didn’t have to! All schoolwork was typed and spellcheck could be used. As well as the fact that once a brain gets used to the fast based learning apps and other online tools, slower paced things like BOOKS no longer hold their attention.

I am not a scientist, a researcher or an expert on this topic so I am going to point you to some of my favourite resources on this topic:

The Book “Glow Kids”. This book is outstanding and eye opening. Every parent, educator, or anyone in a position of influence over kids NEEDS to read this book. I cannot recommend it enough. I would buy one for every parent if I could. And I would read the entire thing out loud on my instagram if I could. Get this book, read it, take what it says to heart. It speaks in great detail about all the dangers and harm technology can cause to kid’s brains. It speaks to video games and social media alot, but the books focus is on any screen.

The youtube documentary Childhood-2.0. This is long, but it’s important. Guys, we cannot keep sticking our head in the sands about this. This documentary has lots of teens speaking as well as parents, psychologists and researchers. This is crucial information. It is our job to protect our kids and part of that is STOP GIVING KIDS START PHONES. Did you know that in 2019, porn sites had more traffic than Netflix, Amazon and Twitter combined. There are the big offenders like pornography and sex trafficking; but there are also things like cyber bullying, screen addiction, mental development, relational skills and so on.

Follow Collin Kartchner on Instagram. He is extremely vocal about his #savethekids campaign and goes into schools to give talks on the dangers of social media. Follow him and watch his stories for a few days and you will never feel the same about your child having access to social media.

Follow Greta Eskridge on Instagram. She also has a “fight porn” highlight and travels to speak about it.

Watch The Social Dilemna on Netflix. (If you are still using Netflix and haven’t cancelled it)

Read my post where I share some resources to use to talk to your young kids about these topics. I have discovered many more since I wrote this post but this is a good jumping off point.

I could go on and on about this topic, especially as I continue to learn more, but I will instead refer you to those resources. I do want to say, it’s not too late. If your kids are using screens too much, it’s not too late. In the “Glow Kids” book, the appendix gives tips on doing a screen detox. In the end, you are the parent and you make the decisions. Let’s not fool ourselves by saying our kids will be behind if they don’t use technology. They will not. You can learn that stuff so fast. But they may be behind on creativity, human relationships, ability to focus, ability to find enjoyment in real life things, and so on.

One big way I combat this in our family is by always having a chapter book I am reading with the girls and bringing it in my purse wherever we go. So if we are waiting at the doctor or anywhere else, instead of passing them my phone I pull out our book and read. I do this sometimes at restaurants as well, on long drives, and anywhere I need their attention or to entertain them. We also encourage lots of outside time and sibling play. I am not afraid of their boredom, in fact, I think it is an important part of building creativity and character. This is not to say we never use screens, but we do try to keep it mainly to when we decide to watch a family show together or the occasional TV or learning app time. When it is less frequent, it feels more special and they don’t ask nonstop.

May I encourage you to please choose a resource about screens and look through it. At the very least, educate yourself and make an informed decision. I think we can all do that for our kids, don’t you?

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About Me

Hi I am Kristin Stewart. I consider myself so lucky to be a homeschool mommy! Before I was a mother, I was a teacher in both public and Christian boards and I loved teaching so much. However, once my first daughter was born I knew God was calling me to be at home with her. So when it was time for her to start school, homeschooling was a natural fit for us. Read More…

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from_kristin_homeschool

Kristin Stewart
✨better together✨ Another week of school done ✨better together✨
Another week of school done and enjoying the beach on this beautiful Friday afternoon.
1ish week of school to go.
#raisingreaders #alwaysbringabook #raisingreaders
#alwaysbringabook
Homeschool perk- the freedom to travel. Packed up Homeschool perk- the freedom to travel. Packed up our books and brought them to the land of the red sand. The beach is calling, we must go!
Friends, popsicles, butterflies and tiny pools…. Friends, popsicles, butterflies and tiny pools….we love summer ❤️
Starting our study of Numbers today for Bible time Starting our study of Numbers today for Bible time. It’s important to me that the girls understand the importance of looking at a whole book of the Bible for context and understanding of how each event fits into the bigger picture of Gods salvation. 

The Bible Handbook from @thedailygraceco to overview and introduce the book.

The Story of Numbers by @readkaleidoscope writes it geared toward kids.

And not pictured, our Bibles. We frequently go over checking back to our Bible if we arent sure about something in another book. 

What are you studying?
Cheers to the other mamas just finally getting the Cheers to the other mamas just finally getting their quiet time at 10:15 am because they’ve been in diffuse and correct mode all morning. 

Here’s to the mamas with a child who needs a little “extra” in the regulation department. (If you know what I mean, you know). 

To the ones taking deep breaths and calling on the fruits of the spirit to help her deal with the current “explosion”. 

To the mama who wonders if she’s doing it right but knows it’s worth it. 

God chose me to mother her and He chose you to mother yours. He did that purposefully and He will equip us. If you are a Christian, you have the fruits of the spirit and the help of the Holy Spirit. 

Take a deep breath, a quiet minute and ask God for wisdom and help for this day. It’s an honour and a privilege to have this job of mama.

Hard doesn’t equal bad. 

Here’s to you mama! Keep going. ❤️
All About Reading tip: give them last years reader All About Reading tip: give them last years readers for independent reading.

 She always wants a few minutes to read on her own before bed and she likes to read last years AAR readers because she knows she won’t get a story that’s too hard. 

There’s nothing wrong with letting kids independent reading material be below their instructional level.
It’s a great way to build fluency and confidence and avoid frustration.

Thankful for these readers with interesting stories and colourful pictures @allaboutlearning ❤️
We had a great hike adventure on this beautiful sp We had a great hike adventure on this beautiful spring day!
A look through, and long explanation of, Learning A look through, and long explanation of, Learning Language Arts Through Literature grade 4. 
Let me know if you have any questions!
Sharing the math manipulatives I used today in my Sharing the math manipulatives I used today in my stories. My youngest really thrives when she learns hands on. These are from amazon, except the animals that are from the dollar store.
Read with your kids! 👏🏻Read to them. Let the Read with your kids! 👏🏻Read to them. Let them read to you. Take turns share reading. Read your own books beside each other. READ!

The benefits of reading to your kids are staggering. Not only are there crazy academic benefits, there are also relational benefits. Reading together is such a bonding experience. It helps calm your tiny ones and it brings your older kids to you. 

She’s almost 10 and she’s been reading since she was 4. She’s a voracious reader, reads constantly. I might need a job just to keep her in books. She can read as well as people twice her age. Some might naturally think there’s no point in reading to her anymore. She doesn’t need me to, she’s capable on her own. 

I disagree! We always have a book on the go together. It’s so bonding to be mutually enjoying a book and into it together. It allows her to relax or draw while I read to her. It gives us something to do just the two of us when we have time but I’m tired. Sometimes we just snuggle up like this reading our own books, pausing when she wants to talk about her book. Benefits here are we are physically connected and I get to know what shes reading and be available for discussion. 

All that to say, read with your kids!! Even when they’re older!! 

Together, she and I are loving the Tuesday’s with the Castle series. We’re on our last one!! What are you reading with your big kids?
What a great fsmily hike today to the southern tip What a great fsmily hike today to the southern tip of our island! 75 ish min hike for the whole crew!
Mystery of History Level 1. This is the history p Mystery of History Level 1. 
This is the history program we are using this year and I love it. This is likely what we will use for the next few years. I think this level will last us 2 years since we don’t do History daily.
This is a Bible based curriculum. It begins with creation and goes through history chronologically from there. Each lesson is short with a lesson in the text to be read (I read it out loud) and then a selection of activities. Each lesson has an activity for younger students, middle students and older students. 
There are some written components you can choose, such as matching characters with descriptions or answering comprehension questions. But as the teacher you can pick and choose what you want your kids to do. It can all be oral if you prefer. 
You can order timeline images and work throughout this whole curriculum to make a timeline. This is neat as it allows the kids to see how it all first together.
I love using this resource to learn together as a family!! 

#mysteryofhistory #homeschoolhistory
Merriest Christmas from our house to yours!! Looki Merriest Christmas from our house to yours!! Looking forward to this week off of school and next week we will be back at it!! My plans this week are mostly to read! How are you spending this week?
We are all so excited to see the snow and hope it We are all so excited to see the snow and hope it stays for Christmas
Grumpy mom goes to the beach. If you hear report Grumpy mom goes to the beach. 

If you hear reports of a crazy lady walking Stanley beach in the downpour and singing at the top of her lungs, have no fear, ‘twas just me. 

Do you know the best part of homeschooling? Being with your kids all the time. Getting to make so many memories and develop a strong bond, laugh together, train them, shape their character, disciple them, see them grow up….

Do you know the hardest part of homeschooling? 
Being with your kids all the time. All the mess, all the noise, all the discipline and discipling and correction. Not being able to outsource the tiring and hard parts of parenting. 

Homeschooling isn’t neat and tidy that’s for sure. It’s loud and messy and tiring and hard. And it’s beautiful and rewarding and bonding and the best decision we ever made. 

Doesn’t have to be one or the other. Both can be true. I can love it and think it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done all at the same time. 

So that’s what brings me in my raincoat and boots, worship music blaring out of my pocket and out of my lips, to the beach…getting myself ungrumpy and ready for another week of the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. I wouldn’t change it for all the money in the world. ❤️

@valmariepaper a nod to your grumpy mom takes a holiday book. ❤️
“I believe in God the Father, I believe in Jesus “I believe in God the Father,
I believe in Jesus Christ,
I believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life.
I believe in the crucifixion, 
I believe that He conquered death.
I believe in the resurrection
And He’s coming back again
I believe.”

Last Sunday our oldest daughter publicly declared her saving faith and allegiance to Jesus through the act of obedience through believers baptism. What a glorious day! And for her daddy to do the honours was even more special. 

We will continue to disciple her as she grows in knowledge, understanding and love for God. 

You do not need to share my beliefs to be welcome here. I’ve got a seat for you at my table regardless of your religious views. But may where my belief, love and allegiance lays never be in question. 

We love you Hailey girl ❤️
One row of carrots and a few onions harvested. Abo One row of carrots and a few onions harvested. About 1/3 of what’s there so lots more work to do.
Thank you God for this harvest and it’s provision for our family
I accidentally cut myself off! Here is part 2! I a I accidentally cut myself off! Here is part 2! I also forgot that there are usually individual white boards down below with the binders but they used them this morning and they’re not put back yet!
Showing the rolling cart we use for school this ye Showing the rolling cart we use for school this year
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