Day 269
Our family loves nature. There are many benefits. But in a world of distractions and overreactions, we often find ourselves laid out and in front of a screen. I’ll admit. I have called on the screen babysitter on occasion and I too myself have watched TV to take a break from reality and enjoy the sights and sounds this form of entertainment provides. We do allow our children time to explore entertainment options, but try to keep it under control. While we don't necessarily have specific screen limits, we try to provide alternatives to screen time, such as chores, games, events, and /or time in nature.
When we planned our first floor renovation, one of the areas we discussed revolved around entertainment spaces. We knew we would put a TV in our living room. However, with the kitchen moving, we no longer had a traditional family room commonly associated with colonial-style designs. Instead of this area, we were adding a room we called the lounge. It would have a large window overlooking our backyard, a small bar area, and some comfortable seating. The idea of adding a TV here was discussed but ultimately, we chose to have a place that was without TV but with options for reading and/or writing. In fact, this post along with many, many others have been written in this lounge. Rather than adding a screen , this room focuses on some other of our loves. Besides various nature-themed artifacts and decorations, we have a mini fridge stacked with delicious craft beers that we keep filled throughout the seasons. This has become a place where we read and observe nature and children at play from the comfort of our own home.
Lately, we have discussed how we could add a new option for entertainment. While we are still opposed to adding another TV inside, the idea of adding an outdoor TV is gaining traction. Having a TV mounted just outside the lounge allows us to enjoy Wisconsin weather while being in our backyard and with close access to snacks in the kitchen and adult refreshments from the lounge.
While still just an unpolished idea, it is certainly one worth careful consideration.
