JFF- Anyone Ever Have a "No Tech Day"?

I think this is great.

Yes there are times I don't have any tv, etc. And I don't use the computer every day like a lot of people I know. I go weeks without touching it unless I have to.

When my kids were small we didn't have a tv for years and a lot of people thought we were weird. We did have a radio but it wasn't on but a few nights a week.

My sisters do this regularly too as well as my grown daughter w/two children. They rarely watch tv and use the computer sparingly. Some people can't stand visiting them for long for this reason. (long range visits)

Yes! I love it and it is freeing! We answer the phone and things. I make the kids go outside and be a family! We love it!

Yes. We do that fairly often in the summer, and sometimes during the school year, too. We call it "old timey time." My boys actually enjoy it, and I love it (my husband would hate it, but we always do it when he isn't home). Our creativity and imaginations thrive on days when we do this, and we all have a great time!

Not going to happen because there is no way I can go without my phone for a day, neither can my husband. No way I am going to explain to work why I didn't answer my phone. If I have technology then it isn't a no technology day, is it?

Now as far as going out and doing stuff, sure, we have taken our bikes and hit the trails pretty much from when we got up till we went to sleep. We have done vacations and the like.

I guess I just don't see it as a declaration of no technology is needed.

Yep. Usually follows a no tv day. I threatened to make Labor Day WEEKEND a no tech weekend. Boy did I get a bunch of boo-s. I also told them no friends over. I got a bunch of "awwww, boooooring!" and "nothing to do's". They figured it out. I thought it was fantastic not to have that noicebox of a tv blaring. I hate that stupid thing.
And we don't have a radio in the house.

No, we would DIE! And I love my family too much to allow that to happen. =)

We have a weekly " No screen day". I and the kids love it! Although I often break the rules and will check my email :) They are only 2 and 4 so they are not used to watching TV or playing video games all day anyhow. :)

We used to all the time (not ALL the time, just regularly)... but not for several months.

- Cops
- Lawyers
- Doctors
- Illness

I should add... we've done both 'no electronics' = phones, computers, etc., and no TECH at all (no electricity, no ovens, no heat/air con, no plumbing, etc.). AKA camping with the BEST tent in the world. (Our house).

Religious Jews do it weekly for 26 hours - like a scrub for your brain, so so good! My kids are small enough that this is normal, and husband is REALLY aware of how much faster he is afterwards. To those of you who make "living in a cave" comments, try it before you mock it. We are all SO addicted to technology, we don't even realize how much we miss out on due to information overload.Unplug and go play a board game!

We have neighborhood "Get out and Play Day". Target and few others sponsor it and by sponsor, I mean they encourage it.

I think it's a great idea so I think I'm going to try that. One day a week, maybe I'll take my kids to the library. =)

We've been doing some camping and traveling this summer and have had a few "no tech" days. I think it's a great idea!

My daughters' Girl Scout troop usually does a 2 or 3 day get away each winter. Electronics can be used during "free time", but most of the girls prefer to do other things that don't involve the electronics. It's nice to have a break.

The only time I do that is when it isn't my choice - when the storms blow out the electricity. Otherwise, every day is a techie day!

yep we did that one day this summer. except i work so it was in the evening. we even turned out all the lights, and had a bonfire out back. we told stories around the "campfire", then we made a tent out of blankets and played.

ETA...I think Manda F is missing the point. the fact that you would be so completely addicted to ANYthing that you can't do without it, means it's time for a break. it's a shame that not only does she not "get it", she feels the need to poke fun at the question. it's not about "family game night" or "living in a cave". i thought her answer was pretty rude. but as you can see most of us get it...and it's great. keep it up!

We've never even tried. But we don't just use technology for mindless entertainment. Even when we go out we find ourselves looking things up to answer questions or learn more about things we encounter. The kids are home schooled and we use everything as a learning opportunity and our iPhones are the best! Driving down the freeway on our way to a family get together the conversation went to armadillos. I was able to look up a picture of them so the kids could see what they looked like and look up information about them to answer questions. While camping, sitting there fishing, this really weird bird came and was hanging around us. I was able to look it up and we identified it along with a number of other birds that were there as well.
I let calls go to voice mail if I don't want to answer. I don't answer texts if I don't have time.
I don't see technology as something that is in the way that needs to be gotten rid of, even for a day.
It's all in how you use it, not that it exists.

No, I haven't said Zero Technology, but we have turned off the TV and the various devices and played with our imaginations. We are fairly balanced, so we can play games, sprinklers, pools, then come in and wind down with some cartoons. I just use my gut feeling. If the TV is feeling like it's on too long, or the devices are running out of batteries in one day, then it's time to not replace the batteries :)

We had one the last time a hurricane knocked out the power for 24 hrs.
It was a bit warm with the AC being out, but we played cards, read by flashlight, bailed water from the tub into the toilet when we needed to flush.
There's nothing quite like camping in your own home!
But it was great once the power came back and we could take a shower and cook again.

I love the idea, but it isn't possible for my husband. He is basically always "on call" from work, and he has to check his Blackberry a couple of times a day to make sure he isn't needed (or address it if he is), even when we're on vacation...

We're doing a variation right now. In my house it's the 1970's - cartoons/tv only on Saturday mornings and no xbox. Attitudes had gotten lousy so we removed the trouble sources :)

They can play with their ipods if all homework/chores are done and attitudes are good, but since they always forget to charge them it's not working out so well for them. I'm also letting them do educational stuff on the computer (ds learned how to build paper ninja stars and modify his beyblades to spin faster on youtube over the weekend). It's been very peaceful and quiet the last few days, lol.

I haven't asked family/neighbors for their opinions, I don't care what they think. However Grammy is coming to visit on Friday and she has the tv on 24/7, so this is going to be hard for her. She can still watch, but it has to be upstairs in the media room with the door closed, which is probably going to tick her off but oh well!

ETA - this only applies to the kids. DH needs his phone for work 24/7 (factory in China) and I need my phone/computer for work and to manage ds's soccer team daily. DH and I don't watch a ton of tv when the kids are up anyway.