Moms Talk: Screen-Free Vacation?

Welcome back to Moms Talk, a feature that is part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community are all welcome to weigh in and use the discussion forum as a resource. Each week, we'll pose a question and solicit feedback on a wide array of issues, but you should feel free to suggest questions you'd like to see discussed as well.

This week, our discussion turns to screen free vacations - you know, the experiment that lots of plugged-in moms and dads test out when they realize how much time and energy their smartphones, laptops, TVs and video games are taking away from their "quality time" with the family.

I've been toying with trying this out at home.  To be honest, when I worked at a law firm in New York City, I had a serious Blackberry addiction.  So much so, that when I was released from my corporate hell, I really enjoyed being "un-connected." But slowly, I have worked my way back into my electronic addiction.  Laptop, iPod, iTouch, iPhone,....these screens have crept back into my life. 

I'm thinking it might be time to do a little electronic cleanse.  But I've got to admit, I'm a little scared.  How will I blog for that week?  How will I find the nearest bakery when I am walking around downtown Bethesda?  How will I keep up with my favorite reality shows? Will I have to use a real recipe book for ideas for our weekly menu and ingredient lists instead of my favorite online recipe sites?

But, with all of my trepidation, the upside of it is also appealing.  No distractions when I am hanging with the kids.  More reading (actual books, not the Kindle).  Talking to my husband in the evening instead of zoning out in front of the boob tube.  Might not be so bad.

Have you ever tried a screen-free vacation?  How long did you last?  What did your kids think about it?  Did you feel that it really did improve the quality of your interactions with your kids/spouse?  Would you do it again?