Reclaiming Family Time In A Tech Driven World
Stop what you’re doing, and look around your home. Now count the number of technology devices within arm’s reach.
Phones, tablets, TVs, and computers as far as the eyes can see? You’re not alone.
It seems the more we get connected through technology, the more we create disconnection with the ones we love. In a room filled with family + friends, it’s not uncommon to see everyone from kids to grandparents scrolling through their phones. Yes, we’ve got digital this, that + everything in between, but at what cost?
Now, this isn’t meant to rain on your digital parade *wink*. We love a good Netflix binge as much as the next person!
However, at Elegant Simplicity Interiors, we also think there’s something to be said for unplugging + spending time intentionally with family in spaces that make you feel warm, welcomed + joyful.
Are you curious about finding ways to look up from your screens more frequently and foster meaningful connections with your loved ones? You’ve come to the right place, friend.
Permission to keep staring at whatever digital device you’re reading this on *wink* … and then put it down and go spend some time with those you hold dear :)
How Technology Impacts Family Dynamics
First + foremost, this is a judgment-free zone.
If you’ve ever found yourself slipping your phone to your toddler in the grocery store to avoid meltdowns on aisle 6 as you breeze past boxes of sugary cereals, more power to you, babe *wink*.
Where things get problematic is when technology becomes a regular substitute for human interaction. The Child Mind Institute reports that screentime and tech gadgets must be handled with care. Because although certain apps may help children with emotional or cognitive challenges, they can also hinder children’s early development, even affecting how their brains develop.
And let’s face it — there’s nothing quite like skinning a knee, playing chase in the park, or throwing a football around to build a little character. For younger kids, real-world exposure to building blocks, sensory play, picture books, and other objects they can touch and feel can stimulate the senses + help little ones make sense of the big, wide world around them.
For older kids + adults alike, disconnecting from social media and apps can be a critical step in avoiding mental health issues. Ohio State researchers note that excessive screentime, especially at night, can make it harder to fall asleep. Meanwhile, it increases the chances of developing depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues — with social media creating unrealistic expectations of what makes one beautiful, successful, or worthy.
No matter the ages of those who live in your home, staying glued to screens + apps also makes it particularly challenging to stay present. You may be physically present after school + work — but mentally checked out and isolated from one another if technology is taking over your family time.
Solving the Distraction Dilemma With Curated Spaces That Encourage Connection
Let’s assume you won’t be snatching phones from hands and instructing everyone to smile + talk to each other as you work to build greater connections at home *wink*.
No, you need an intentional approach that makes everyone forget all about their screens. Here are some ways to set up your home for cultivating connections.
Establish Tech-Free Zones
Maybe it’s the dining table, or maybe it’s the family room. Wherever you choose to create tech-free zones, you’ll want to make these spaces feel warm + inviting.
Arrange furniture in ways that encourage conversation instead of just staring at the TV — for example, a sofa + two armchairs facing each other. Incorporate warm lighting with dimmer switches, baskets filled with cozy blankets, and games stacked on nearby shelves.
You can also add conversation-starter cards like TableTopics to your coffee table — and keep a basket by the room’s entrance where everyone can park their phones during family time *wink*.
Ditch the Clutter
A tidy, organized home isn’t just for certain personality types or astrological signs, bestie.
Everyone can create a home with Elegant Simplicity®, simply by picking thinking about home with intentionality.
Picking up the clutter + ensuring everything has a place to “live” is creating functional space for everyone.
Not only does a clutter-free home simply look nicer, but it can also make for a more harmonious living environment that promotes calm + clarity.
Added bonus: An organized home is more conducive to family time — you’ll have much more quality time together when you’re not worried about the pile of shoes + bookbags or the mess of toys on the floor.
All it takes is a few storage tools to pick up the excess:
Opt for furniture with built-in storage, like a coffee table or chaise.
Pick up a few storage cubes or bins and put them on your bookshelves to store games, toys, shoes, magazines + extra blankets.
Consider donating or selling anything you don’t need that might be contributing to the clutter.
Create Multi-Functional Spaces
As you pick up the clutter, you may find you’ve got more space for a variety of family activities. You can make your spaces even more conducive to family time with certain design choices.
A lift-top coffee table that doubles as a game table. A sofa that folds out into a sofa bed for one big slumber party in the family room. A kitchen island with extra seating + functional lighting that encourages families to gather with one another + cook together.
Oh, the possibilities!
Cultivating Connection Beyond the Physical Space
At the end of the day, deepening your connections at home is a way of bonding with one another in ways that can’t happen when everyone’s engrossed in the latest TikTok dance trend *wink*. (Of course, you can always try a “If you can’t beat 'em, join 'em” philosophy and take on the latest dance trend as a family. But we digress!)
Try these tips for building unbreakable bonds as a family unit.
Establish Family Rituals
Whether a family night-time prayer, shared meals, game nights, or bowling outings, family rituals are the glue that holds your family together. Creating these rituals and honoring them creates feelings of safety + love in the home. When everyone knows that no matter how a day unfolds, there’s family dinner or game time to look forward to, it puts everyone at ease.
Your design choices can help encourage these rituals — for example, a dedicated game table and a clutter-free dining space say, “Welcome, everyone.”
Set Boundaries With Technology
Many devices, such as iPhones, come with built-in screentime permissions, which can help you establish appropriate boundaries with your children. However, it’s important to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics warns against simply setting a time limit on screen usage.
Rather, pay attention to the quality of the interactions everyone is having with digital media, not just the quantity. Time spent in online tutoring is far different than time spent mindlessly scrolling through social media, for example.
Additionally, if you replace low-quality tech usage with high-quality family time that everyone enjoys, we’d call that a win. With mindful design choices + thoughtful rituals, you can create healthy tech boundaries simply by creating spaces where your family is eager to spend time.
Last one to the game table is a rotten egg *wink*!
Family Time Is for the Taking
When you start reclaiming time as a family, you may wonder how you ever got along without it. Think back to the days of staying outdoors until sunset, telling stories at bedtime, having picnics in the park, and hitting the hay feeling exhausted yet fulfilled. Those are the kind of vibes we’re going for here, friend.
So what do you say? Are you ready to spend time more intentionally with your family in a home that nurtures your well-being — and without the distraction of a little rectangular device in your hand?
We’re here to support you in that endeavor! If you’re looking for ways to create more family-friendly spaces in your home, let’s chat.
Have any tips for reclaiming family time? Drop your comments below or on our social pages (just don’t linger tooooo long on your device *wink*).
OK, time to wrap this up and step away from technology for now. Thanks for tuning in! :)
P.S. If you loved this article, be sure to check out 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home.
Go on, book a one-on-one FREE 30-minute Clarity Call with us + get ready for some magic, sister!