Low-Tech Holiday Wishlist
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt changed how we parent for a lot of us moms. (Shoutout to Dr. Steve Johnson of Direct Pediatrics here in NoCo for teaching our group the premises of the book!) It speaks to what we were already craving but maybe hadn’t said out loud: less tech, more 80s/90s childhood. With that in mind, here are some of the items we’re hoping our kids might find under the Christmas tree this season.
- TinCan: Think old-fashioned landline with a wifi twist. The TinCan lets kids talk to other TinCan users for free. For about $10 a month, you can add a plan that allows calls in and out from regular phones. The best part is parents control the contacts kids can call and get calls from, and the times the phone is active. Watching old-fashioned conversations unfold is so much fun!
- Wristwatch: No apps, no phone, no tracking. Just a digital time keeper. “Go out and play and be home by 6 for dinner, kids!”
- Games: Checkers, Chess, Sorry!, Pick-Up Sticks, you name it. Great for learning turn-taking, strategy, sportsmanship and family fun.
- Magnetic blocks: Do these have an age limit? We were playing with these when our kids were toddlers and still with a preteen, they’re a hit. We like to mix in old-fashioned wooden blocks to up the game.
- If Santa is listening, we’d also like a music player like an original iPod with no screens but the ability to stream parent-approved music on the go. Unfortunately, options here seem to be limited and have mixed reviews … but for younger kids, Toniebox and Yoto Players work well.
Holiday sales start soon so keep your eyes out for bargains on our wishlist items. This is one area where tech and search engines actually help a lot. Happy holidays!
NoCo Moms Group is a not-for-profit 501(c)(7) social group made up of moms who live in or own a business or property in the Norton Commons neighborhood. For more information go to: nocomoms.wildapricot.org/join-us