My struggle with modern-day gadget is not known to many. I have braved it all and go with the flow. I was born in the mid 70 and I grew up being contented with our black and white TV. I was happy with Sesame Street showing on the screen of our TV after school. I can remember sitting in front of our TV imagining to be one of the characters. Life to me was fulfilled, there was food on the table, a roof over our head and my sweet mother’s cuddle. I had a couple of friends and the reunion every afternoon after school was what I always look forward to. During the holiday, we used to visit the countryside where my grandmother lived. Life was simple, she taught me the beauty of nature, the magic of simple dishes, the strong bond of family.Playing with my cousins was a memory I wish to relive. Life was good and there was nothing to worry about. We lived in the city and the escape to the countryside was another adventure during the summer holiday. My cousins knew all about the country life; the trees, weeds, birds and rodents: they knew it all. It was through my cousins I touched a live snake, through them I learned to differentiate between a harmless bug and a dangerous one. We experimented cooking with woods and charcoal. I learned the path to the stream, identified the cocoa tree, the rubber tree dripping out sticky juice used in industries and tasted raw cocoa picked up while exploring the woods.I grew up not owing much, but, acquired much more than I can put in writing. My childhood was spent outdoor, roleplaying and learning from nature. Indoor was a roof that covered me while sleeping or learning in the classroom at school. Sadly, my children do not have this opportunity.
Getting to the stage I am in life now, I realised I have to keep learning. Not the basics of life, but, the basics of the world we are living now. The world of IT. As a mother, I also have to be vigilant and protect my children from the hawks and dangers of the internet. I know very little, I have to confess. I spent a long time learning how copy and paste work, Microsoft word felt like magic to me, the font, insert, review are a non-ending struggle. However, social media took my dilemma to a different height. I knew about Facebook few years after everyone I knew had an account and that led to another learning sphere. Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest are still a misery I have decided to conquer. There are YouTube and others to settle scores with as well.
No one can deny the opportunity internet has to offer our world. Imagine the world without emails, online buying and selling and other exciting opportunities. The internet has woke us up from our slumber. We are indeed awake!
You might ask me what is the point of all these. Well, we are living in an evolving world and as a mother keeping my children safe is a priority. How best do you keep them safe online if you do not know a bit of what they know? The truth is my children taught me most of the features on my phone and keeping them safe without jeopardising their learning journey is as important as their safety.
According to research, children spend less time outdoors and most of the time spent indoor are used in front of the screen, iPad screen, TV screen, computer screen, phone screen, game screen etc. The media has painted the outdoor world black and this has embedded in our subconscious minds. Children get bored easily and in order to cure their boredom, parents often buy phones or tablets to replace outdoor activities. This way of living has contributed to obesity in children and the Apps children use are always changing which makes keeping up with them difficult.
There is no substitute for human interaction, talking and listening to my children help. The more you talk to your children, the more you learn about them. Talking about what games they play and how it is done is very important. Showing an interest in the app they use and asking questions on how the app work is necessary. If your child is reluctant to show you what he or she is doing on phone, you should trust your instinct.
I cannot lay more emphasis on the importance of talking, talking topics should include online dangers, what to do if they get in trouble online and how to go about it. Talk to your child about what to watch and what not to. Let them know you are worried and that their safety is important to you. Show interest in their digital habit. Learn from them.
Checking your children’s phone from time to time should be part of the contract. This should be the condition before buying the phones. Checking their messages occasionally, WhatsApp, photos, and videos are part of the games. If you suspect anything, be honest and emphasis on their safety. Let your child know he or she can tell you anything. Build trust.
Passcode and password gadgets you do not want them to use freely. Let them spend time outdoor, balance up the time they spend out equally with what they spent indoor. Introduce gardening to them, let them learn how the food they eat grow, how the animal breeds, let them see the outdoor and its beauty. Grow flowers from seeds and explore their beauties together. Teach them games you played when you were young, speak to them in the language they understand. Have a laugh. Take a walk in the rain together. Feel the earth and enjoy being together. It can only get better I tell you. Keep learning.
Verily, with every difficulty comes ease!!!
This Post Has 39 Comments
Awwww living and learning.... Indeed you are great writer 💯
Thanks dear for believing in me.
Awwww Living and learning.... Indeed you are a great writer ma
Beautiful piece ma shaa Allaah! May it benefit us and you the writer. Well done sis
Well written very lovely
Awww. Thank you so much. I am glad you gave up time to stop by.Please sign up for free notification.Thanks.
So true, everything is technology now. Well said ma sista. Beautiful piece
It is a real struggle. We are in it for good.We need to go with the flow and be cautious.
Aamin. Jazakullahy khayran. Thanks for taking the time.
Ma sha ...jukran jazeelan for sharing your beautiful thoughts with us. May Allah make them the coolness of our eyes in both worlds. It's just so unfortunate that there is little we can do to change all these...especially some of us residing on tbis part of the world...where is the garden to take them??? Where is the stream part to walk them? I mean its just too limited....they're always indoor and that kind of put a e bit of pressure even on parents.....May Allah make it easier for us.....
Thanks for your comment sister. It can be so difficult I agree with you, but, every little effort we put in helps. Start with a simple pot of flower, get some seeds and explore together. You do not need to have a massive house or garden to do this. Buy some pots, compost and explore. You can keep these by your windowsill to start with. you would not know what you are inputting in your kids until later. Visit outdoor often, just exploring your community can make great changes. Think of what you can do and where you can go. Plan ahead. Enjoy.
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SHERIFAT am indeed highly impress your write ups are spectacular I think am becoming more attached to all your topics very interesting and educative. In the nearest feature I can see you having a column in one of the daily newspaper or magazine in fact you are going to write a book for the world to read and learn something good out of it. I guess you will soon join the likes of Whole Shoyinka, Chimamanda, Ola Rotimi and many more .
I felt so emotional reading your comment. It is great and I loved it. I looked up to you as a kid and reading your comment just strengthen the feathers on my wings, I am ready to fly with your encouragement. Thank you sir.
My sister more grace to ur elbow, for this piece of writeup u share with us about the advantages and disadvantages of the computer age .May the LORD Almighty keep our children safe from it danger.
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Nice one indeed!
Thanks for stopping by sir.Highly honoured. Jazakullahy khayan.Please visit again.Please remember to sign up for notification.
Nic piece. Thanks.
Thank you ever so much. Remember to sign up for free notification.
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Nic piece. Thanks. Can I share pls?
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Nice, sweet and simple . Reminds me of my own childhood. Few tips learnt from you. Thanks
I felt highly honoured that you stopped by.Childhood memories are core memory. Thanks. Please sign up for free. Please share if you find any of my write-up interesting.Thanks sister.
Thanks for taking us back to the Old days.....AWESOME
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Kudos to you ma, beautiful write up from beatiful sis. Very educative keep d writting ma. Your write up is really educative, infomative
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Awwww love this post so much. It took me to a time I always try to keep alive in my mind, to a time when the outdoors was everything. To my days growing up with my siblings and cousins in ilorin. Thank you for this very beautiful write up.
Glad you loved it. Memories. What else can I say? Thanks for the love. 😘
Hmmmmmmm Adedayo Adekoya, doing what you know how best to do,this is very good informative,educative and bring back the good old days memories. Keep it up dear. Allah is your strength. Sanukuriuka fala tansa for your kniwledge
Jazakumllahy khayran sister. My childhood memories are not completed without you. This is a reflection of another day. Thanks for being part of it all. ❤️ Thanks for stopping by.
Interesting read......and very on point too. Thank you for reminding us of a very important aspect of our lives!
Thanks, Henniey. I am so glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by. Please feel free to share. Thank you.
Wow!!! You write so beautifully!! Thanks for taking us down the memory lane. You surely have a future in the literary world. Well done.
I am so flattered. Wow! Thank you. Thank you ever so much. Please visit again, I love having you around. Cheers.
Welldone sis!! may Allah make it easy for us all. This is a sis frm your neighbourhood in Lagos street back in naija
Thank you, sister. Jazakumllahy Khayran. It is very nice of you stopping by and leaving a comment. Welcome on board. Thanks for the love. Please visit again. Do not forget to sign up for free. I need to keep you informed of the future articles. Thanks.
Welldone sis!! may Allah make it easy for us all.