I just read an article in Time magazine which could have been written by 1/3 of you and is written about another third. Hopefully writing about it here can help bring a few more families on board! The bottom line, being outdoors with a greater degree of independence, as opposed to on a screen, is very good for us! Sometimes I realize easier said than done, but I believe and have witnessed you have the fortitude to help make it true.

Now I do have to confess…. last week there was a little girl riding her bike WITH TRAINING WHEELS in the middle of the street as we came out of Mass. When she went by the church and turned down Randolph, I let the police know of the little one. It became clear she wasn’t one of ours riding in the neighborhood or home from Mass. She had training wheels…. she looked like a Kindergartener. Crossing Randolph and training wheels don’t go together. She did have on a pink helmet with her pink backpack. We do have our limits on fostering independence.

This article talks about reducing screen time in school. Check on that. We have reduced screen time significantly. We have no computer class until 4^th grade, at which time kids learn keyboarding and learn to use the computer as a tool, especially for writing.

In the article parents encourage one another to wait with cell phones for their kids until high school. You get the good check mark on that.  We have a couple of students whose parents need them to have a phone. They check them in at the office each morning and pick them up on their way out after school.  Two out of 100 middle school kids are not many…. let’s keep it that way as much as possible. While the parents in this article had to go to great measures to find a common place for their kids to play, I see often that our playground provides a gathering spot. Sometimes a parent is present to monitor, sometimes the children are on their own. I need to add that before or after school hours we do not provide supervision on the playground. Students seem to generally work things out, though I’m sure at times there could be questions on exactly how they work things out. They are fostering independence, getting exercise, and socializing with one another. It makes me glad to see them there.

While we certainly have not won the war, we are diligently fighting the battle to help our children avoid the detrimental effects of too much technology. For girls the comparison game of social media can make them depressed. People typically post themselves as their best. Nobody lives that game all the time, though some feel they should. Boys’ brains are wired for gaming, and the industry has figured out many ways to draw them in to the point of addiction.  

As our families work together, I’d like to itemize a few recommendations:

These items enable us to be on the same page and help new families come on board with these family friendly tips. I’d be glad to hear of ideas you have that have been a blessing to your family. Or if you think the things recommended here are crazy, I’d be glad to talk with you and hear why.  

Sister Mary Michael, C.K.