What is family life in New Mexico like without Screens?
I grew up in the 1950s and 60s when the idea of a personal computer was the stuff of science fiction I’m not even sure there were any stories written that went beyond the massive IBM type computers used to take over a classic 1984 type science fiction world. Personal computers? Impossible!
So when I look around me at kids as young as 18 months fixated on a tiny computer screen, I marvel. Then I cringe.
I realize computers are a fact of daily life. I am on one for several hours every day in the course of handling Magic Zoo business. But I actually wish I didn’t have to be on a computer at all!
I’ve never been a fan of screens, beginning with television screens.
My own kids, growing up in the 1970s and 80s didn’t even have TV for entertainment. That was by choice. Mine and my husband’s. Poor kids, right?
Not so much. David and Cedar had all sorts of interesting ways to keep happy and entertained. They drew. They wrote short stories. They had a tape recorder and recorded their own little skits. I could hear them laughing uproariously from my studio while they were at it.
We did all go to the occasional family movie. But even that was part of an all day outing that involved shopping in our local farmer’s market and hiking in the hills of Marin County California.
David and Cedar grew up happy, creative and still working (at least part time) as artists when they reached adulthood. To me, that denoted wild success in parenting
What About 21st Century Kids?
So now I’m a Grandmother. My 3 grand kids live on our property with their mom and dad (David is their father.)
How do these grand kids entertain themselves? They ride their bikes. They hike and make up explorer games on our 20 acres. They read. They draw. They catch and release the salamanders in our pond. The 9 year old is learning several languages. The 8 year old is learning how to build rockets using vinegar and baking soda as fuel. The 14 year old is an avid reader and a visual artist.
The youngest two belong to our local 4-H. Although their only current pets are a couple of cats, they love farm animals too. (I love this photo of 8 year old Cassidy holding a new-born lamb, even if it is a bit blurry!)
They know how to use a computer as a tool. But it is emphatically not a source of entertainment for them. I hope it never is.
So much is lost if a child is not encouraged to be creative. If I could state one of my missions in life, it would be to reawaken creativity in as many people as possible. That really means everyone, including adults who think they’re “too old” to learn a new creative pursuit.
You, too Can be Creative!
When kids see the adults around them involved in the joy of creating, that makes an impression on them. It becomes something that seems possible. They become the source of something uniquely their own. And we become a good influence on the generations that follow.
What would you like to do in your life to be more creative? Write a memoir? Learn how to cook Keto-style? Take a painting class? Please tell me right here on this blog, and I promise to answer you! I really do want to know.
Your Animal Loving Artist,
Merry
Noelle Avritt says
I was born in 1980 and i to was not raised on the computer nore tv though we had both and my father worked for IBM. I was gust to hyper and never liked sitting still for more then half a second. I was all ways out side playing. As a child to the end of elementrary school thangs in my life got worse. It wasn’t until middle school that i found out that i could draw and ever since then i’ve been drawing though i only know how to look at other thangs and draw them. Do you have any suggestions on how to draw the thangs that are in my head?
Merry says
Hi Noelle,
It sounds like you are quite the artist! Good for you. I suggest you just keep drawing and drawing until you are satisfied with whatever you do. I don’t know for sure how to tell you to draw the things that are in your head, but it sounds like you’re doing a great job already!
Sincerely, Merry
Nan Schmalz says
I thoroughly enjoyed your description of how life should be lived! Having been raised in the 50’s (and still alive today!), that’s exactly how I grew up. I also use a computer daily – as a TOOL! I love my computer – could not accomplish what I do without it – but the creative part of me wants to explore new avenues – always! I’ve gone through phases like cake decorating, photography, decorating ballrooms, residential architecture, writing and playing my accordion professionally. I’m making greeting cards (that “pop”) these days – and have begun to learn how to use water colors and blender pens to make amazing backgrounds to the stamps I use. My shoulders are shot and I can no longer pick up my accordion – or continue with drum lessons – so now I’m learning to play the piano. If I can find the time, I also want to learn to speak Portuguese – and do genealogical research. I’m 6 years and 4 months short of being 80! (Can’t believe I’ve lived this long!) Anyhoo – I’m not through with a creative life! You inspire me, Merry! Loveya! Nan : )
Merry says
Oh Nan, you are so amazing!!! I had no idea you were up to all those shenanigans as an artist. I am proud to be your (albeit long distance) friend.
Love, Merry
Lois says
I love this post of yours and congrats on raising such a wonderful family! I wish more of the world was like what you described, instead of everyone with their noses buried in devices, and not really seeing the wonders in the world around them.
I agree you are never too old. I have an etsy shop where i sell needle felted animals and birds, etc. I didn’t start doing this until I was 60 and I just love it. Before that I had tried (and eventually dropped) all sorts of other crafty type things, but was never really passionate about any of it until I discovered this one, completely by accident. I saw something done this way and wondered how it was made. I looked it up, was fascinated, looked further to teach myself how to do it, and now I’m a happy etsy seller because of it. And really, the only reason I have the etsy shop is because I do so much of this now (just about every single evening) and otherwise my house would be overloaded with little wool animals. I’ve already given everyone a few as gifts, so i had to figure out something else to do with them! And since I love it so much, the way I try to be more creative now is to think of new things to make with my needle felting, to add variety to my shop. Without this, I really don’t know what I would be doing with myself, but it keeps me both busy and happy, and feeling creative.
Merry says
Lois, you are really something! Good for turning your hobby into a creative business. Tell me your etsy shop name so I can look it up! You are my kind of people.
Merry
Lois says
Thanks, Merry!
My etsy shop is called Felt With A Heart, and I say it is “whimsical handmade wool creations”.
Lois
Merry says
Oh my, your work is exceptional, Lois. I absolutely love your designs. May I post something about your shop on my FB The Magic Zoo business page?