The Power of Unplugging
Give your kids' brains a break this holiday.
I'm not a killjoy or a technophobe. I'm a big fan of videos on iPad to keep the kids entertained as the miles roll by. But I do have grandkids growing up in a world where scrolling through social feeds and gaming is reshaping their brains, literally. And it worries me.
Science has demonstrated that streaming devices have created a culture of distraction. Excessive screen time means our kids will likely have reduced attention spans and struggle to maintain thoughtful, face-to-face conversations - remember those?
It's unrealistic and undesirable to quarantine children completely from social platforms; without online skills, they'd struggle at school to get a job and connect with their community, but we need to build respite periods into their annual calendars.
So how do you disconnect their devices without turning your home into a battlefield? Easy – schedule time away in a private, secluded, signal-free, river-side campsite at Wynola Country Cousins this school holidays. It's not your fault they are out of range, right?
The simplicity of life on the farm stimulates kids' imaginations. Maybe you were lucky enough to have country cousins back in the day. Do you remember visiting their farm and
Building the best and fastest 'stick boat', launched from the creek bank, screaming encouragement as it rockets down the rapids to the tree that marks the finish line?
Trudging along bush tracks inventing epic journeys of discovery?
Learning the best way to stack the kindling for an awesome campfire?
Being mesmerized by the campfire flames as you toast, not burn, your marshmallows?
Finding the zodiac shapes in the sky on a clear, starlit night?
Sitting patiently and quietly waiting for platypus to appear?
These experiences and memories enrich children's minds, giving their rapidly evolving little brains a chance to recalibrate and reconnect with nature and their families.
Wynola Country Cousins
We are just a 2.5 hour drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast. On our 1500-acre working cattle and horse property, we have just eight exclusive campsites situated so strangers can't pull up and camp next door. Your spot is just for you and your group. Some sites are large enough for your whole family, including the cousins and the grandees. Others are a perfect size for just you and your besties. Each has expansive mountain and escarpment views and easy access to the shallow, cascading Condamine River.
Learn more about us at wynolacountrycousins.com.au and book through Hipcamp