HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-02-26, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Local family switches off
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
For many families all over
the world, technology is
playing a big part in their
everyday lives. From smart -
phones to tablets, video
games to e -readers, even
parents are succumbing to
the draw of gadgets once
thought to be reserved
solely for the younger
generation.
Naomi Pelss' family was
no different.
"The other evening when
I looked around at my fam-
ily, we were all in our own
little world," she wrote in
her blog. "My husband was
watching television, I was
on my iPad, our youngest
was on the computer and
our other two children were
playing on their iPad."
The mother of three
decided then and there, it
was time for a change.
"I would like to reconnect
with my beautiful family,"
she wrote. "I would like us
to talk to each other, not text
each other and I would like
to use the old fashioned tel-
ephone to have a conversa-
tion with a friend."
According to the Ameri-
can Academy of Pediatrics,
parents are discouraged of
media use by children
under the age of two. They
also recommend limiting
older children's screen time
to no more than one or two
hours per day. Too much
screen time has been linked
to obesity, irregular sleep,
behavioural problems,
impaired academic per-
formance, violence and less
time for play.
Undaunted by her hus-
band Mike's insistence she
would be the hardest hit by
the ban on technology,
t
611
p
.-1
"Mr
e
,l'ii
You are invited to attend these area churches
ST. THOMAS CHURCH
21Jarvis St. Seaforth
Rector The Rev. Karine Farmer
Rectory 519-482-9071
Church Office 519-527-1522
Sunday, March 2
Worship at 9:30 a.m.
March 4th - Shrove Tuesday
Pancakes and Sausages
Supper 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
March 5th - Ash Wednesday - 1:30pm
Everyone Welcome
ST. JAMES ROMAN
CATHOLIC CHURCH
WELCOMES YOU
14 Victoria Street, Seaforth
519-345-2972
Sat. Mass 5 p.m.
Sun. Mass 9 a.m.
ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN
Sun. Mass 11 a.m.
FR. CHRIS GILLESPIE
BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH
An Associated Gospel Church
126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982
Pastor Mark Kennedy
Sunday School for all ages 9:45-10:45
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11 a.m.
Wednesday Evenings
• Youth Groups - Junior & Senior High
6:30 to 9 p.m.
• Boys & Girls Club JK to Gr. 6
7 - 8:15 p.m.
• Adult Bible Study 7 p.m.
6, EVERYONE WELCOME
EGMONDVILLE
UNITED CHURCH
Pastor Steve Hildebrand
Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura
Worship March 2nd, 11 a.m.
HOCKEY SUNDAY
Wear your Favourite team Colours or jerseys
Everyone is Welcome
Youth Sunday School at 11 a.m.
Adults at 10 a.m.
Earbuds and elevator available
Website: www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com
Like us on Facebook
Coming soon May 3 • The Black Family Singers
NORTHSIDE
UNITED CHURCH
MINISTER MARY FLETCHER
Sunday, March 2nd, 11 a.m.
Guest speaker: Nick Vandermey
Fri. March 7, 7:30 p.m.
World Day of Prayer
You are invited to join us in worship
Sunday School and Nursery Provided.
54 Goderich St. W.
519-527-1449
(1,A- WWW.cavannorthsideunited.ca si
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth
519-527-0170
Rev. Linda Moffatt
Lorrie Baker - Organist
Worship
Sunday, March 2nd, 11 a.m.
All Welcome
k Sunday School & Nursery Provided.
10"' Office Hours: Wed. 9 a.m. - noon
Naomi approached the fam-
ily and offered up the plan.
No television, no compu-
ter, no technology of any
kind for a whole weekend.
"I gave them time to think
about it because I knew it
would be hard for us," she
laughed. "I had to give them
fair warning and I wanted
them to think of what they
would do instead of using
the electronics!'
Saturday turned out to be
a bit of a struggle for Naomi,
as she found herself preoc-
cupied with distracting her-
self from using technology
rather than embrace the
true purpose of the experi-
ment which was for the
family to spend time
together.
Regardless, the family
made up for the first day's
challenge, finishing the
weekend with fun rather
than tears.
"On Sunday we just
played together," said
Naomi. "We went toboggan-
ing and my daughter and
her friend even taught us
how to make Rainbow
Loom bracelets!'
When the kids let their
dad know they didn't think
he could run, Mike was left
no choice but to challenge
the family to a foot race.
As the weekend wound to
a close, Naomi and her fam-
ily sat down and talked
about what they thought of
the challenge.
In the end, Mike said he
enjoyed spending time with
the family, noting how
much easier it was to con-
nect with everybody with-
out electronic interference.
Daughter Grace, 10, felt
the plan wasn't without its
Photo submitted
The Pelss family made the decision to turn off all electronics for a whole weekend and just spend
time with each other. Pictured here are parents Naomi and Mike, with kids (from left to right)
John, Grace and Nathan.
challenges, but turned out
alright in the end.
"It was really hard and it
was weird," she said. "My
eyes hurt when we went
back on the computer after
two days, but I liked the
idea."
For Naomi, turning off the
family's electronics was
something she'll try again
in the future and encour-
ages others to do the same.
"We've decided one Sun-
day of every month, we're
going to declare that a fam-
ily day with no screen time,"
she said. "We learned that
we can reconnect as a fam-
ily and play together and we
want to challenge other
families to do it. As scary as
it may be, it's worth it."
CLINTON RADARS
2013-2014 HOME GAMES
PLAYOFFS
FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 28 • 8:30
TILLSONBURG THUNDER
CLINTON RADARS
SPONSORED BY:
DYKSTRA
CONSTRUCTION
OFFICE: 519-482-9082 CELL: 519-525-8675
tANIESSIEMPLOIMM._
letter to the editor
This town's generosity
keeps our doors open
To the Editor;
Thank you Huron County. Once again our County has
been overwhelmingly supportive of efforts to improve the
lives of people living with dementia in our communities.
We owe a debt of gratitude to this wonderful giving com-
munity, and literally would not be able to keep our doors
open at the Alzheimer Society of Huron County if it
weren't for the help and support of people who support
Walk for Memories.
Despite the wild weather interruptions, the Walk for
Memories, presented by Investors Group and Goderich
Place Retirement Residence, went ahead on its re -sched-
uled date of Feb. 1, where walkers braved the cold to
attend the indoor walks. Thanks to the incredible gener-
osity more than $45,000 has been raised to date and we
are so grateful for all the support towards our goal.
Online donations will be accepted until the end of Feb-
ruary 2014 at www.alzheimer.ca/huroncounty.
If you were unable to attend the re -scheduled Wall(
please get in touch with the office (519) 482-1482 and we
can provide you with a "Walk in a Box" kit so that you can
hold your own walk for family and friends. Or, if you've
collected pledges and would like to have them included
with this years collection please mail to the office, Alzhe-
imer Society of Huron County, PO Box 639, 317 Huron Rd,
Clinton ON, NOM 1LO, all contributions are appreciated.
Without the loyal support of our committed volunteers,
valued sponsors, and exceptional efforts of each and every
walker, and the generosity of Huron County, the success of
Walk for Memories would not be possible.
Huron County is a tremendous, caring community and
I'm so proud to call it home.
Sincerely,
Brittany Williams
Events Coordinator
Alzheimer Society of Huron County