We’re at a beautiful beachfront resort. It’s a beautiful, sunny morning. There’s small surf breaking on a white sand beach maybe a dozen meters in front of me. My sons are lying in their beds with their laptops open, and I’m sitting on the front deck writing this.
A number of years ago, we had a room at the Disney Grand Californian hotel overlooking the California Adventure theme park. We had played hard at Disneyland for the past three or four days, and the little ones (and they were rather little, then) just wanted to stay in the room for a while. At the time, I was concerned. Here we were in this expensive, sought-after resort and we should do something for goodness’ sake! Was I being a bad parent for letting them just relax with their media for a bit? Or would I be a worse parent if I said “I don’t care what you want, you’re going to get out there and have fun, or we’ll never go on another vacation again, do you understand me??”
I have to say, I’m enjoying the view, the salt spray (probably shortening the life of my laptop), the sound of the surf, and the lack of imperative to be making experiences or being productive. Yes, a “screen” is involved but, no, I’m not tuned out to the world and neither are my guys. I think this is good.
—2p