These pillows exist only because of my new 'get-off-Facebook-and-do-something-productive' regime. So proud!
Monday, 24 October 2011
Regime #5032
As a mother, I am continuously reviewing the lifestyle of my family, and coming up with new and improved means for ensuring that my three children somehow emerge from their upbringing as well rounded individuals. Concerned with the increasingly excessive time spent by my three in front of the computer (Facebook, online games etc) or on their iPods (more games), I have imposed a new regime: one half hour ONLY of techno gadgets per child per day. Homework related use is exempted. Of course, it takes a whole lot more energy on my part to impose this regime than to give in to their pleading, but that's parenting huh?!
On the upside, I witnessed the first fruits of the new regime this week:
My eldest daughter and her friends love to exchange birthday presents. My eldest daughter is usually skint, spending her pocket money with abandon (mostly on her friends, I have to admit).
I told her she could have free reign with my fabric stash if she wanted to sew gifts for her friends. And so her 'Love' pillows were born.
They are a simple, but sweet design - a single heart, raw-edge appliqued onto linen and finished with running stitch. They are a hit with her friends as she carefully colour coordinates them to her friends' bedrooms - important when you're sixteen :)
These pillows exist only because of my new 'get-off-Facebook-and-do-something-productive' regime. So proud!
These pillows exist only because of my new 'get-off-Facebook-and-do-something-productive' regime. So proud!
You are doing a great job. Parenting is a lot of work, but the pay-off is worth it. Love the "love" pillows.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope they can all take a lead from Miss16! great cushions!
ReplyDeleteMy children are the same, and I too have implemented restrictions . I declared Saturday a 'no screen' day so we spent the day gardening. The garden is looking so much better, and I think I am 3000 snails less. It is so nice to spend quality time together talking and enjoying each other.
ReplyDeleteI am sure your daughters friends will love the cushions, they look a great size.
well done they look fantastic,lucky friends
ReplyDeleteOh I so hear you on the Facebook and ipod front. I did exactly the same with my kids a few weeks ago too, much to their disgust. I think we must have had the same converstaion!! lol
ReplyDeleteYour daughter did a great job with the cushions. Well done.
Great idea, the cushions look great and it really is amazing what time is eaten up by computers. We could probably all do with a bit of your parenting sometimes :)
ReplyDeletegreat job, both on the cushions and the no techno/gadgets/etc regime!
ReplyDeleteI really hope my kids are sewing like this when they are 16 too. Not to mention cooking and cleaning! Agree with you on the 'limiting electronic time'. We are getting pressure for a 'ds' from the 7 yr old, but I am resisting. He and his sister can play for two hours with a handful of rocks, and I'd hate to see that replaced with a screen!
ReplyDeletethey are so lovely - now I want one!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! It IS so much more parenting intensive to create these rules and then stick to them - but I agree, so very valuable in the long run. And I think too, that once you get the new behaviour wodged into place, they actually stick to, and enjoy, the new routine without much reminding. Sewing girlies are such gorgeous things to have around aren't they! :-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on becoming part of the Mean Moms club! Years ago, when my son was small, I put time restrictions on his computer gaming time. He never, as an adult, complained about it, so I suspect it was a good thing after all.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter's pillows are adorable.
Although my son is 18, the parenting has not ended and it remains the biggest challenge of my life. Kuddos to you! And the fruits of your labor show in your daughter's pillows - they are awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe pillows are beautiful Ros!! We have decided on a one hour "screen time" limit and have even resorted to confiscating ipods/phones/laptop at 8.30 each evening to stop the kids being on them all night!
ReplyDeleteWell done! The extra energy it takes to enforce is worth it. The cushions look great too. Miss 16 has been very productive.
ReplyDeleteOh it all sounds too familiar we go on fits and spurts as my energy levels rise and fall. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you for the regime! Those pillows are gorgeous. I hope I'm as strong when my girls are older - I hate everyone having their head stuck in computers or blackberries all the time .....
ReplyDeleteKudos to you! And to your daughter. She's obviously inherited mum's creative gene. I need to do something like this with my son. He's online all the time, scouting cars, even though he won't be driving for 2 more years.
ReplyDeleteThose pillows are fabulous! My daughter would love them for sure... she's fourteen. I just need some incentive for her to tap into the creative side she has. Time to use my creativity for that, lol. Thanks for posting. And tell your daughter she rocks!
ReplyDeleteWhat great gifts! I am having trouble with 'facebook' and miss 17, never had to worry about her and screen time before as she is so active, it is driving me mad so I have put time limits on computer use other than homework now too!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very productive regime - beautiful cushions
ReplyDeleteA great thing to encourage her to do...and the gifts are far better than anything store bought - those pillows are lovely - something to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteLove the simplicity of the pattern too Ros. And I understand the approval of friends :) Most important.
ReplyDeletethese are excellent you are a great mum encouraging your daughter this way!
ReplyDeleteHeather x