Nadia: “We deviate a lot, we don't have a television or screen”

We wanted more connection and quality in our family

A year ago, our family made a decision that seems unthinkable to many: we got rid of the television and have no screens for the children. No more TV screens in the house and no subscriptions that provide an excuse to use a tablet. We also set a rule; as parents, we put away our phones after 5 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends we only check briefly around lunch and dinner for essential messages. The children are allowed to choose two programs each during the weekend, which we – together – watch on a laptop. It wasn't a spontaneous action, but a deliberate choice stemming from our desire for more connection and quality in our family life. Now, six months later, I can only say that it was one of the best decisions we have ever made.

We all kept staring at our screens continuously

The thought of living without a TV and screens first occurred to me when I spent an evening watching my family. My husband Mark was mindlessly flipping through channels, Sophie (our 11-year-old daughter) was watching a series on her tablet, and Sam (our 8-year-old son) sat frustrated waiting for his tablet to charge enough. I felt burnt out after a day of work; all I could muster was to stare at my own screen as well.

We hardly shared our own stories anymore

I realized that we were spending more time watching fictional stories and swiping than sharing our own stories. We were physically together, but emotionally quite distant from each other. Mark and I talked about it and decided that we had to take a drastic step: the television had to go and we introduced very limited time on tablets and phones.

The first few weeks were quite uncomfortable

Evenings felt empty and quiet. Sophie complained that she missed her favorite shows, and Sam didn't know what to do with himself. I too felt the urge to just quickly turn something on or swipe through Insta to fill the silence. But since that was no longer an option, we were forced to find other ways to occupy our time. Slowly but surely, we started to create new rituals. Where we used to sit separately in front of a screen, we now sat together at the table with a board game. For the first time in a long time, we had fun together, without any external distractions.

Our interaction has changed a lot

What I perhaps appreciate the most is how our conversations have changed. At the dinner table, we now talk not only about what happened at school, but also about things that are truly important. Sophie recently mentioned that she wants to write a book and started brainstorming enthusiastically about the story. Sam asked me this week how clouds are formed, which led to a long conversation about nature and science.

We now have a new joint evening every week

We've also started a new tradition: the weekly game night. Whether it's Monopoly, Uno, or Catan, it's always full of laughter and sometimes quite competitive. Sam is proud that he completely outplayed me recently, and Sophie was rolling on the floor laughing so hard that we all had tears in our eyes. Those kinds of moments have a magic that no screen can ever match.

We have also become much more active

Another surprising effect is how active our family has become. Without screens, evenings and weekends feel like an opportunity to do something. We go for walks more often, bake cookies together, or do yoga in the living room. Sam plays outside more, and Sophie has discovered painting as her new hobby. I've finally started reading again, something I had been putting off for years. Mark recently noted that he feels much more energetic. Where we used to often stay on the couch, we are now much more on the move. Not just physically, but mentally as well.

When we watch something, it's very deliberate

Now that we are six months further, I can say with certainty that we have become stronger as a family. We have more contact, more fun, and more time for things that really matter. Of course, we still watch a movie or a documentary from time to time, but then very consciously, and on the laptop. We no longer feel the need for mindless swiping or background noise.

I recommend it to everyone!

Our choice has also taught us how valuable it is to take back control of our time. We have rediscovered ourselves and each other, something I never expected from such a relatively small change in our lives. Perhaps the idea of living without a television or screen sounds as radical to you as it did to us at first. But I would say: give it a try. Even if it's just for a month or a week. Who knows what beautiful moments you'll find!

NADIA