Last month we were sent a gadget jail so we could take part in Tech Timeout Challenge. The idea is you lock away your phones and gadgets for an hour a day and give yourself some well deserved, quality, family time with no distractions.

“The Tech Timeout Challenge was started by Foresters with the goal of helping spouses, parents and children build stronger bonds, communicate more personally and get more involved in each other’s lives.”

I jumped at the chance to take part in this challenge. I’m guilty of using my phone too much. I didn’t realise how much time blogging would take up when I started at the beginning of this year, but it really is a full time job if you want it to be successful.

I don’t ignore Lamb, but I do get distracted by my iPhone way too much. So i’ve have decided to lock our phones away for an hour a day and give Lamb our full attention.

Believe it or not, we actually left our phones in the jail for longer than an hour! I really thought I would want it back, but we were enjoying reading books, colouring and watching movies, and really didn’t need our phones.

It was so nice to give Lamb my full attention. Technology plays a huge part in our society, I don’t judge anyone who uses a lot of gadgets in their homes. I let Lamb watch TV, he knows his way around the iPad, but this is normal for the time we live in. I believe as long as their is a good balance between family time and watching TV (for example), there is nothing wrong with letting them play the odd game, or watch their favourite programme.

According to my mum, I learned to read at a very early age by watching Sesame Street. I have noticed how much Lamb picks up from watching TV. He learns a new word most days! As long as there is a good mix of education and entertainment, I will continue to allow Lamb to watch a bit of TV each day.

As for my iPhone, i’m afraid it has been sentenced to an hour in jail everyday.

Alex x