My children have had a media fast imposed on them by their parents for Lent. No TV, no computer games, no Minecraft on the iPhone. None of that. We are getting to the end of week one, and … wow. Just wow.

It was rough at first, with the two little ones complaining about how BORED they are. But toward the end of the week, we noticed that they were playing really well together. Creatively, even. Yesterday, Lucas, who does not like reading, checked out two books from the library, read them, took them back to the library, and got two more.

For some reason, they asked me about “Oliver Twist,” and I told them I’d read them the first two chapters at bedtime. I’ve never read “Oliver Twist,” so when I downloaded it for free on Kindle and started to read to them, I found the writing so fussy and convoluted I was sure they would have no patience for it.

And yet, not only did they like it, they asked me this morning if we were going to read it again at bedtime.

Julie and I were talking last night about how much more patient and calm the little ones are now. Seriously, after only a few days of fasting from electronic media, we can see a dramatic change in the children’s temperament and behavior. They’re not nearly as jumpy and demanding, and as quick to fall apart when they don’t get instant gratification.

Just sayin’…

After Lent, I think we are going to a policy of electronics and media use only on weekends. The peace this week within the family’s life has been wonderful.