Taking time to disconnect was a good idea

This summer was all about unplugging. We disconnected in a major way and our family is probably better off for it. It wasn't intentional to start, but it ended up that way. No one was hurt. Nothing went wrong, but DANG, people get super annoyed when you don't respond right away to certain things! 

Our new campground is a black hole. Finding a signal is like finding cheap gas. It's there, but you have to work for it! We originally opted for the internet package so we would have the comfort of home and people could work remotely. Then we realized NO. Camping is about relaxing, connecting, hiking, biking, swimming, enjoying. It's not about textathons and gaming and reels. 

What did that mean for us? It meant having signal in 3 or 4 places on our campsite. It meant me riding my bike to the store if I truly needed to make a call. Or wandering the campsite with my arms outstretched to find the money spot where the signal worked. And we were Okay with that! 

The kids watched DVDs at night to unwind. We listened to a local classic rock station all summer that kept us entertained. We had real conversations and made real eye contact. Our kids took up fishing and had photo shoots to fill their time, instead of catching up with texts from home. No one ignored the conversation with the glow of the cell phone in their hands. The kids were able to use old school walkie talkies for communication. 

We did play on our phones. I can't lie. Early in the morning I would drag my camp chair and coffee to just the right spot and play on my phone while everyone woke up. We streamed movies or shows on occasion. The kids would take their phones when they left for photos, but also to grab a signal. I would catch up on calls, texts, posts when we got home and unpacked. It was a lovely way to unwind after we got home.

In hindsight, I wouldn't change a thing. We could've paid for the internet package, but I am glad we didn't. No one felt ignored by shows, calls or scrolling. We connected and bonded in a way that isn't possible when we are tied down to our devices. It was wonderful. We needed rest. The rest wasn't from our life being hectic and overwhelming. The rest was feeling tied to devices and hitting nonstop speeds trying to live and do all the things.

Give yourself permission to rest, whatever that looks like, before it's too late!

the time of year for transitioning

The time between Christmas and going back to school is a transition period for us. Typically we go to the Wisconsin Dells for an overnight, but this year we are hunkering down at home the whole time. This means lots of transitions and because we have over a week to make it happen, it's pretty painless. We transitioned from Christmas decor to winter decor. We transitioned from holiday fun to birthday preparations. We transitioned from old to new!

Putting away presents becomes an experience. We play with the toy or use the new item, then put it where it now belongs. Along the way, you can get rid of old or used stuff and declutter, too. Each day we make a small pile. It is mixed with new stuff and old stuff, then we try to play with it all in the one day. 

Yesterday was pj/mother-daughter day. We donned our matching pjs and spent most of the day in my room. Rules? What rules? Fun is the name of the game. Hot chocolate and a sweet treat for breakfast along with a cheesey girly movie always gets pj day started. Then we transition to some older toys mixed with newer toys. We did madlibs, bracelet making, crocheting, shrinky dinks, yoga, and video chats with friends.

Today we will pop out for lunch, have spa day at home, play with some old science kits and do a Yahtzee virtual playdate. I love transition time! Sometimes we forget what games and fun we have, so it's nice to reminisce and play stuff that hasn't been used in awhile. I take a laundry basket around the house and fill it with anything old, extra, done for, broken, or unloved. It takes 20 minutes and it's an easy declutter and a great way to transition out the old without arguing about an item.

Another must during this time is flipping the hangers around. All the hooks of the hangers get flipped to face the front of the closet. When you do laundry and use a hanger, you flip the hook to the BACK of the closet. When summer break starts, you get rid of anything on a hanger that is still facing the front, aka something you never wore or used. It's easy. It takes no time. It prevents arguments. Either you wore an item or you didn't. Just check the hanger :) Because I am not that lame of a mom, I do this one while peanut sleeps in. 

I hope everyone enjoys their own transition periods. Whether you're transitioning to back to work time or something else, enjoy it. Throw in a pj day for extra laziness and fun. Fill a basket with old stuff and donate it to declutter. Play with some old stuff that makes you smile and reminisce. Go play in the snow that is finally arriving! Happy transition! :)