Yep . . actually just bought a book called ‘Glow Kids’ that I’m looking forward to reading . . I tell my 15 y/o nephew all the time (who’s phone is an extension of his hand) that when he gets older he’s not going to look back and wish he spent more time on his phone . . so many kids childhoods’ are being stolen by screens
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My parents had pretty strict screen controls when little brother and I was young (e.g., only TV on the weekends) and I appreciate it because it let me focus on studying.
I also think it’s really cool how you’re setting such a good example for your kid. As “woowoo” as it sounds, what kids are exposed to from 0-3 is heavily imprinted.
Regarding screens in general, I don’t think spending a lot of time on them is necessarily a bad thing. It really depends on WHAT and HOW the screen is being used.
I think there is a lot of value in online communities, especially if kids have more niche interests that might not align with “in person” peers. Some might actually be a much better influence than classmates, family or neighbours
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We did this with all our kids and even today we don’t put the TV on during the day. The kids will put the TV on to watch a show or a movie but they ask first. I really don’t understand houses where the TV is just on all the time. However it does not really stop the lure and desire for the kids to want to watch a screen. My kids 10, 12, 14 will all gravitate to a device to play games or to youtube to watch some mindless drivel, as soon s they get bored. Actually it isn’t even boredom, it is just any time they have spare and have to think of something to do.
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Absolutely man! I may be over-reaching some goals, but I’ll overeat to compensate and I’m 100% embracing every single ounce of mass I’m putting on during this program.
I love this, haha
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Our kiddo’s school encourages similar practices to minimal to no screen time. A bit of tv here, but definately no phone or tablet.
We had a tablet early on, and we could see the addictive nature of it for junior, so that got stashed away fairly quickly.
Phones get put away when I get home from work, out of sight/mind. Imaginary play, games, pushbike riding, outside running around, etc. It’s tough after a full days work but it’s definitely worth it getting more quality family/kiddo time.
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BtM W2D3
Squat
135x5
185x5
210x5
245x5
275x5
OHP
10x5 at 70
BPA
5x20
Chin
5x5 at +30lb
Snatch grip shrug
225x27
225x24
225x26
225x27
Squat
180x46
Done in 45 minutes
Hearing is a little goofy after those squats.
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@raven78 @simo74 @anna_5588 @ajb5478 @jdm135
I truly appreciate everyone taking the time to post their thoughts and this is absolutely a conversation I’d like to continue and learn more about. I will respond to all when I have regained composure and have the time to make an intelligent response and questions.
Thank you all again!
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My thoughts on the kids screen thing, my kids are now 14 & 11, they are very heavy screen users and I’m not at all comfortable with it, it’s something I need to change, screens are insidious, always starts off small and seemingly useful, but if you’re not incredibly careful they take over, become ingrained parts of life, and as of yet I’ve not found the answers to it, they are the primary social vehicle for kids of that age, outside of school the majority of their social life will involve a phone, completely removing them will be a negative for their social life and cause resentment, but trying to allow them autonomy (I’m generally a big fan of increasing my kids autonomy and independence) on this area is doomed to fail - the devices and apps are designed to maximise usage and dependency.
Also at this age I remember being a teenager and spending large swathes of my time in my room on screens and I don’t feel like that was specifically a negative, the argument that I could have been outside learning, doing, creating, etc whilst true, takes quite a “productivity” view on what should be a period of life without such a heavy impetus on achievement and betterment (not none, but I feel education covers a lot of the bases here and being a pushy parent isn’t great). I think the key is what you’re already doing @boilerman spending lots of quality time with your kids, exposing them to a wide range of things and letting them show you their interests and I’m sure that you’ll find they naturally have less interest in screens.
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Imo, the biggest issue with the screens and the internet (once the kids as past toddler-hood) appears to be the cultures that has grown around them.
Since kids and teens are nasty SOBs they naturally show it online. Pre smartphones and 100% reliable internet you at least had a respite at home… now you don’t.
Online communities these days seem to be complete and utter trash. I have a SIL who’s in her early 20s (she’s the baby of my wife’s family) and my wife says she’s the literal definition of a Gen Z otaku. She lacks social skills, is extremely judgmental, and doesn’t seem to understand the consequences of her behavior and how others may perceive them. A lot of this is surely learned behavior from my MIL (who is extremely controlling and seems to care only about what she wants + babies her youngest while also being extremely controlling towards her), but my wife is sure a lot of it is also due to the online communities my SIL has interacted with.
And I believe it. I mean, look at what adults who haven’t grown up with the internet say to one another. Online communities in general are cesspools of horridness, imagine what would happen if an entire generation grew up seeing that as the norm? Eww.
With my own little one on the way the only antidote I’ve thought up is the realization that kids are watching you at all times. It’s a scary and sobering thought but also gives me purpose- I need to be the best person I can be so that my kid has a role model to turn to when things get confusing and weird.
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To all that have replied- thank you again. It’s given me quite a bit to think about. I’m very, very new to parenting, but I think about his future all the time. I want him to be as happy as humanly possible and I’d like to provide him with the tools necessary to have a fulfilling life.
In my childhood, I was allowed to play videogames and use the computer as I pleased, my parents were pretty laid back in that respect. There was weekends where my brother, friends and I wouldn’t leave the N64… We’d play GoldenEye ALL DAY. I’d spend 6+ hours recording and writing songs on my desktop. It wasn’t a daily occurrence, but it did happen. Some of my fondest memories (and one of the longest running jokes) with my family is our Friday movie nights. We’d watch a movie, my mom would guess the ending within the first 15 minutes, and we’d spend the entirety of the movie wondering how the hell she did that every single time. I know that it isn’t the same thing as what goes on online these days and that’s where I’m having issues comparing my childhood to the potential one my son will have.
I guess I just want to provide him with every option and not be completely overbearing… to allow him to play a video game for a few hours and then go ride his bike with friends. Or maybe read all day, make art or build something. I absolutely see the benefit to downtime, especially if it is spent alongside family. However, I also see the huge benefit of having all of that stripped away from you for months out of the year. It makes you get creative with your time.
I know that the world will change, and I’ll change as I get older but I don’t see my need for stimulating activities going anywhere. I’m hoping that just displaying my enthusiasm and determination will be enough for him to realize that there are so many amazing things that people can do if they put effort towards something. I suppose I want to be a good role model for him, someone he looks up to, and someone he can turn to for help when he desires guidance or assistance.
I apologize if this post seems aimless or rambling, but it is. I’m working through this stuff as I go and it seems to help me if I write it down. I also didn’t directly reply to anyone because I feel as though parenting is such a personal thing, and barring a completely inexcusable reply, I have no right to form an opinion on anyone’s choices. I really do appreciate everyone writing their thoughts down and I thoroughly read each reply.
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BtM W3D1
Squat
180x5
205x5
245x5
275x5
5x5 at 310
Chins
10x10
OHP
65x5
75x5
95x5
105x5
120x5
135x5
105x14
Dips
x15,15,15,10,15,10,12,14,10
Face pull
4x25 at 25
All the normal superset stuff, finished in 1:02.
I felt absolutely trashed after those squats. Diet has been less than stellar these past few days due to working late and being very busy. Little man has been waking more frequently at night too, likely due to his teeth coming in.
Day two might end up being in the middle of next week due to time constraints this coming week.
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Hell yeah brother! Outstanding show.
Hah! Not just me then. If I listen to music on earbuds, songs will actually SKIP and repeat after a really hard set.
I’ve got a piedmontese brisket heading my way soon. You and @freshyfresh seem like my two resources on that. Either one of you guys have any preferred approaches to brisket?
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This guy is my go to for all smoking related tasks.
I think the biggest thing is to make a day of it, plan to be home, and get started early. A brisket that had to rest a couple hours is usually way better than one fresh off the smoker!
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Thanks man!
I gotta be honest, I’ve only done a couple of briskets and both have turned out less than great. My downfall has been heat control on the grill/smoker. I just haven’t been able to dedicate the time to experiment with my setup enough to really dial it in and I often find it overshooting temp in the grill. If you’re using an electric smoker (I think I remember reading that’s what you use) it’ll hopefully be easier to manage temp.
I prefer dry brining big cuts of beef because I like my meat salty as hell, and I’ve read that it creates a better bark. Both briskets I did have had a great bark, but I haven’t tried smoking one without brining so I’m not 100% on the brining being the reason behind it.
Also, both times I’ve done briskets I haven’t wrapped them at the right time. I usually hit 170ish and then wrap, but I think in my case it was too late in the stall causing the meat to dry up a bit, and I should have wrapped it sooner.
I agree with @freshyfresh . Carve out some serious time for tinkering and babysitting the smoker, especially with such great quality meat you’ve got!
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Good lord!
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You’re an absolute monster.
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Appreciate it man, and @freshyfresh as well. I was hoping the answer WASN’T the smoker, since it’s hard to justify THAT much time for something all for myself, haha, but I know I’m in good hands with this advice!
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@heretolog @jdm135 hah! Thanks fellas
@T3hPwnisher I will be the first to admit sacrilegious acts in the BB-Qmmunity. I have thrown thick steaks in the oven before, and have cooked many things “all wrong”.
If time is a concern, I see nothing wrong with popping that sucker in the oven on low (250-300) and letting in hang out in there all day until you hit temp. You might miss the smoke and some bark, but it’ll be much less all-consuming having to babysit a smoker all day, and it’ll still taste great because it’s a great piece of meat.
With some of my oven experiments, especially with wrapped meat, I like to hit it with the broiler on high for 4-5 minutes unwrapped at the end to try and crisp up the outside.
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BtM W3D2
Deadlift
135x5
225x5
275x5
320x5
360x5
3x5 at 405
Bench
105x5
135x5
145x5
165x5
5x5 at 185
Uni DB Row at 82 (RL)
x36, 28, 25, 21
Cable ez curl
25x29
25x26
25x24
25x26
Somehow made it through this. Took 1:05 due to long rests, and cleaning a bloody nose. I had a hard time convincing myself to do this today, and I’m glad I just got it over with. This was really tough, but I’m feeling confidence in myself for W6D2 now.
A boatload of air fried organic chicken wings will be shoved down my gullet tonight. I am so excited.
Had a massive adrenaline dump yesterday at work and it had a huge impact on my hunger and sleep last night. Everything is ok, but I haven’t felt that in a looonnngggg time. I am still feeling after effects from it. Not groovy.
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