WNY Family Magazine March 2019 | Page 59

National Day of Unplugging Saturday, March 2, 2019 Unplug and reconnect as Tifft nature Preserve, Buffalo Audubon Society, Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, and Erie County Botanical Gardens join together to celebrate the annual National Day of Unplugging! A great opportunity to disconnect from your devices and unwind, relax, and reflect; 2pm-4pm. After tucking your cellphone to sleep in a free “sleeping bag,” enjoy a walk on the Tifft trails, indoor make n’ take crafts, and fun activities. Suitable for all ages. FREE but pre-registration is required. Call 716-825-6397 or visit www.tifft. org. Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo. sation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age, some employers vet job candidates based on their ability to converse face- to-face and over the phone. Play conversation games like “What if...” or “Would you rather...” to make impromptu conversation fun and interesting. Establish sacred, unplugged spaces, like around the dinner table and in the car, to allow for spontaneous con- versation. Side-by-side conversation feels less intense and gives kids the courage to broach issues that are bugging or wor- rying them. Grab the crayons and color together. Go on a walk. With space and uninterrupted conversation opportuni- ties, you can listen to each other better and grow closer as a family. Higher education has become a major investment, whether prospective students are fresh-faced undergrads or mature adults seeking career change or advancement. WNY Family readers definitely place a high priority on education. 65% plan to invest in education/ classes for their children or themselves in the coming year.* Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the par- ents to two digitally charmed children. Christa is the author of “Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.” Creative Subscription Services that Support Learning KiwiCrate - Craft and building crates for different ages (0-16+) with all of the supplies included, mailed monthly. Kidstir - Cooking kits with recipes, games and kid-sized culinary tools (Ages 5-10) Green Kid Crafts - Between 5 to 8 individually packaged STEAM (Sci- ence, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) projects. (Ages 3-10) Tech Hacks that Can Help You Unplug Break Free (www.breakfree-app.com) - This app monitors your phone and app usage, helping you grow more aware of your online behavior and how to better control phone usage. Offtime (https://offtime.es) – An app that helps you control your con- nectivity so that you can better concentrate on work, family, or per- sonal time. Spire (https://spirehealth.com) - wearable mindfulness and activity tracker that tracks breathing patterns, alerting you to anxiety and ten- sion triggers. 33% have children between the ages of 13-18, preparing to make decisions about their college choice & careers.* Reach them in our April 2019 issue special section “Shape The Future.” Space Reservation Deadline: Friday, March 8, 2019 Call 716-836-3486 ext. 104. *Source: CVC Audit, June 2018 March 2019 WNY Family 59