Have you ever sat on the boat, waited for a meeting to begin or just walked into your own home, where everyone around you is plugged into their computer, iPhone,iPod or television, completely oblivious to the human beings around them? Susab Maushart felt like she was facing this everyday, when she walked into her family room, occupied by her three teenage children, who were all plugged into something or several somethings. They were often using the internet, texting and listening to their iPods simultaneously.
She proposed, with bribes, that they disconnect for 6 months. She bribed them with money, that she hoped to receive from the book, THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONNECT. She rid the house of all televisions, computers, cell phones, (including her iPhone, which she usually slept with under her pillow.) iPods, videos and electronic games. For two weeks she even kept the electricity shut-off. They could all use the gadgets at the library or friends house, just not at home.
This is a hilarious book (or LOL as she says). The 18, 16 and 14 
year old did not embrace the idea with open arms. Even she grumped that it make her life more difficult. But persevere they did. Interesting ideas came out. When did parents become responsible for boredom? Do we communicate more with all our electronic communicators or less? Do things like cell phones make our life easier or more complicated? (Parents use to tell children when they would pick them up and where. Now with instant communication, there are more calls and far more negotiations to handle.)
This books is timely and humorous. She has wonderful children. How well did they survive? The oldest started to cook. The middle child picked up his saxophone again. The youngest got more sleep. The family was happy to get their toys back after six months, but they had learned to reconnect with each other over music, meals and board games. They also have a family room again, not just a docking space for their gadgets.
A fun read!
Karen
