For Whom the Blog Posts?
by Sebastian Ortega
First, this blog is for dads who are primarily concerned with the wellbeing of their children. I will focus on raising men. Why? I only have boys. Second, fitdadx is a blog for family, health, and fitness. Everyone is welcome. Allow me to illustrate an example of the modern day dilemmas that dads are faced with in raising sons that are charming, intelligent, polite, physically and emotionally healthy.
Recently, we have been struggling with achieving the “right” amount of media time for our boys. My seven-year-old son has an old iPhone that he uses to play games on. He requested that we let him take the phone with him to summer camp. We said ok. We gave Santiago guidelines. First, use it responsibly. Second, share with your little brother. What was the outcome? If you have kids - you know - disaster!
When I picked Santiago and Nicolas up that day, I discovered the phone was shut off because the battery was completely used up. That night, when we opened his lunchbox, we discovered that he had not eaten a single snack or drank any of the water we sent. He had become so stupified by the video games that all else was forsaken. I'm sure his little brother did not partake either.
What did I learn? First, the summer camp we put the boys in is garbage. Second, “be responsible,” is a phrase we tell our kids that has no context in their brains. What did we do? We found a new summer camp where Santiago and Nicolas could not play more than a few minutes with the iPhone not matter what. Also, when Santiago takes his phone somewhere, I give him a specific battery life target to hit. If the phone starts at a 100% charge, he must shut it off when it gets to 60%. It’s an old phone and that should last him 30 to 45 minutes. We are trying to achieve 30 minutes or less per day. I give him a little cushion taking into account that he may play for a few minutes, put the phone down to do something, and come back to it later which will also use the battery life.
Santiago does not like the new plan. I want him to understand my rationale so I give him examples of behavior that he exhibits when he plays too many video games or watches too much tv. Then, I explain that his well being is my first priority. I ask him to describe what his well being is. We discover food, shelter, cleanliness, physical, and mental development as key factors for his lifelong success. Santiago does not use those exact words of course. Finally, I let him know that his happiness is my second concern and that if the first protocol is being met, happiness becomes a priority. He still does not fully understand that overuse of electronic devices can be bad for his development but I trust he senses that I care for him and do things for his benefit and not to hurt him.
How do I live my life in a way that is healthy, useful, worthy, moral, virtuous, and spiritually meaningful? Which of these attributes is most important? Most importantly, how do I instill these qualities in my boys in an organic way? These are the prime concerns of fitdadx. I look to explore these topics through physical awareness and exercise. One cannot separate the brain from the body. They must both be well for the individual to be well. Each individual must be well for the family to be strong. Join me in this quest. Let’s start the conversation and impact those we love.
