A leaflet for the TURN OFF WEEK (wait... who the heck names a site kkk.org.my?!?!?) was given to WZ, its wants families to turn off their screens and do other things in order to bond and stuff. What I find funny is the list of things they mention you can do during this turn off week. (Zoom.It picture below so you can pan around and read the large brochure)
While some of these are ok, some contradict the aim of turning off the screen. ie.
- Take family photo - Given that most cameras are digital now, wouldn't you end up having to use a screen to view this?
- Write a letter to a friend or relative - Through snail mail just for the heck of it?
- Get out the family photo album, Research your family history - But it's turn off week, so... you want to do said research without the Internet?
- Teach people computer skills - So it's OK to use the screen when you're not using it?
Some are a bit crazy
- Paint a picture, a mural or a room - The first 2 are reasonable, But painting a room for the heck of it?
- Listen to the radio - So... huddling around a TV is bad but huddling around a radio is good?
- Anything that involves outdoor activities - I'm guessing the aim of the list is "You can do X instead of watching TV" but when X are things like cycling, swimming, climb a hill. I'm sorry, how can that be done on a daily basis. So.. I come back from work at night, instead of playing games with WZ I take him swimming around 8PM? How is that appropriate?
I applaud the aim of trying to foster more family bonding, but telling people to turn off their screens when screens are part of the daily ritual? That's pretty much impossible.
Which is why I'll be giving back the activity form with a giant "Not Participating" written over it.