From Screens to Sketches: A Holiday Well Spent And Encouraging My Aya to Practice Art.

Yesterday was a holiday in Slovakia. And holidays for me always feel like a pause button in our busy lives. Yesterday, it's a chance to breathe, spend time together with my family, do some household chores and time to watch Netflix. It’s the same routine for me. 🙂

As a mom, and I know it's your concern as parents is how much your kids spend time on their mobile phones or tablets. Technology is really part of our lives now and it makes it easier. But I've realized how much screen time can take away from my Aya of more meaningful activities.

I searched and that’s why I decided to use Google Family Link. And I installed this application to help me set healthy limits on my daughter’s phone use. I know other parents will not agree on this thing. Because some parents here will think I’m so strict. And I wondered also if I was being too strict. But the more I think about it and the more I make the right choice. The choice is that I care more and love my daughter. .With the Family Link application, if she wants to install an application, I receive a message and she cannot install it because she needs my password. And also how much time she spends online. We all know there are applications not good for kids and even searching on google there are sites not appropriate to them. By the way, one year I'm using the application. 🤗

I’ve also set her phone to automatically lock at 8 p.m. because at that time she needs to go to sleep and unlock at 6 a.m. This way, taking away the mobile of strolling late at night and she gets proper rest. Roblox, it’s a popular game for kids. And I made adjustments too, I told her that during school days the Roblox is blocked. I want her to focus on her studies and other afternoon activities like singing, dancing and piano. Even my husband thinks it’s too much and I’m controlling her but I see it differently. But on weekends she has time to play but I set a limit for 2 hours.

For me, it’s about guiding my Aya and not restricting her. I would rather set limits than she spends more hours on screen time and in the end I will regret the effects. Especially on my daughters health, learning and sleep.
And yesterday was a holiday, it gave us a chance to connect with each other and to trade screen time for quality time.

I know she has a talent in drawing and I encouraged her to practice her drawing skills. Because I saw an art book that she drew. She kept on saying that it's not good. I reminded her that everyone starts from scratch, you just need to practice your skills.

She was listening to her favorite songs. Even she has the mobile, she cannot play. I blocked it. 😊

Watching my daughter pick up her pencil and start sketching my heart filled with joy. I told her “I’m happy if you do that stuff.” She says it’s not good mama. All I can say is that it's perfect. You made your effort, be creative and progress in what you're doing. Aya became more focused and continued sketching.

Sometimes, at night I asked her. Are you angry with mama? Be honest to me. And she said yes. I said sorry to her and explained everything. It breaks my heart too, especially because she wants more freedom on her phone.

But I also always tell her, “That one day you will understand why I’m doing this.” My husband and I have different approaches to parenting. And I talk to my husband from the start, when it comes to Aya I will handle it. He's more relaxed and I’m Asian and it's more structured and strict in a good way.

I follow what my heart says and I don't like to regret later. And I know it's not easy but I'd rather be a mom who chooses to set rules. It may feel strict, but it comes from love, it's called a tough love approach.

It's important to me to have memories of creating, learning, and spending time together, not just hours Aya spent on her mobile. Technology is helpful and I’m not against it. And it’s a powerful tool when used wisely. Technology is helpful and I’m not against it. And it’s a powerful tool when used wisely.

-Finished sketch.-

She showed me her finished drawing and I say I’m so proud of her and happy if she’s always doing it. I’m teaching her time management. The earlier she will do her things at home and school, the more she has time to do other things she likes. That’s my goal now, hoping Aya will know it soon.

In the end, I realized that parenting is so difficult, especially this digital age and all about balance. It’s all about helping my daughter to discover joy in simple things, in creativity, value discipline and improving her skills that she can use in the future.

It was a simple moment and the most meaningful one that happened yesterday.