It seems to an ever-greater extent every year that technology plays a more invasive role in our lives. Sometimes that may be excusable, but for those other times Leduc County FCSS is participating in and encouraging “Family Day Unplugged.”
Sara Russell, community support coordinator for Leduc County, said the event is an opportunity to recognize Family Day but also recognize the importance of disconnecting from technology to better connect and develop relationships within families.
She noted that studies have suggested an over-dependence on technology in a person’s life can lead to isolation and affect empathy levels. She said technology has its obvious advantages, but it may have some subtle disadvantages too.
“We need our access to technology,” said Russell. “But we have to have some good conversations with our friends and family.”
A press release from Russell explained how the regional initiative is supporting Family Day.
“Leduc County FCSS is hosting a contest for Family Day Unplugged,” stated Russell in her release.
“There are two components to the contest. The first will be distributed to the rural elementary schools in Leduc County. Families will be asked to brainstorm activities that they can do together as a family. This might be activities that they’ve done before or activities that they would like to try for the first time.
“The goal is for them to come up with a list of activities that they can do for Family Day on February 20th or any other time throughout the rest of the year. Once they complete the activity, they return the ballot to their school and one winner will be chosen from each school.
“There is also a second way to enter that is open to families with younger children or basically anyone who is a resident of Leduc County, Calmar, Thorsby, or Warburg. By picking up instructions from their local library or Parent Link Centre, people can complete the same activity then email me a picture of their family completing the activity: a family selfie.
“One winner will be chosen from all of the email entries received. The contest is open from February 1 to 13. People can contact me at 780-955-6424 or email sara@leduc-county.com for more info or to submit their entry. We will be distributing prizes before Family Day as we hope that the prize pack will help them celebrate the day. Included in the prize pack is a family day pass to the LRC, a family board game, a family journal and a restaurant gift certificate.”
Russell said most families would embrace the initiative’s goal. “We just want to recognize Family Day,” said Russell. “Put your phones away, put your computers away, turn the television off and just spend some quality time together.”