This Father Had Enough of His Family's Dependence on Technology So He Made Them Live Like It Was 1986 For An Entire Year
We've all been guilty of being on our phones a little too much at times. There are times when you're deep in conversation with another person who is constantly checking their phone, checking their email, on their iPad, and you wonder if they are even hearing a word you say. Well, one father in Ontario had enough of his children's constant addiction to their technological devices. Blair McMillian, who is the father of two young sons, realized that the boys were quickly becoming dependant on the family's iPad and he wasn't going to let that continue.
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Their usage got so bad that they knew their family members not by their names, but by the brand of smartphones they had! To his surprise, McMillian noticed that the boys were not the only ones growing dependant on these devices- he and his wife were as well. Playground trips revolved around the boys playing while he and his wife sat glued to park benches while on their phones.
McMillian took some time to sit down and think about all of this. He reflected upon his own childhood in the 1980's and remembered a time when people were less dependent on technology and more engaged with each other face to face. Upon making this discovery, he began to wonder, "Why can't my family just live like the 1980's?!"
He decided to present the idea to his wife, Morgan, and she thought the idea was amazing. So began their "live like it's 1986" challenge. The goal was to live this way for an entire year. 365 days. 52 weeks. All living life like the year McMillian was born.
If You're Gonna Do It, You Gotta Go All In
McMillan decided he was going to grow a full mullet and deck the fam out in '80's inspired attire![If You're Gonna Do It, You Gotta Go All In](https://static.pupperish.com/images/FsInEGSAwhHC_3861_700.jpg)
This family went all out. They had absolutely no access to smartphones, iPads, laptops, etc. If they wanted to take a picture, they literally had to take it with a disposable camera and then go get it developed. ATMs for quick banking transactions? Nope, they went straight to the bank and saw an actual teller. They removed every single piece of modern technology from their homes and lives. Needed to find out a piece of information? Find that handy encyclopedia because there was certainly no Google allowed. They did have access to video games but only on an old school Nintendo Entertainment System.
The Family Enjoyed Playing Old School Nintendo Games
There was no iPad or Xbox in sight![The Family Enjoyed Playing Old School Nintendo Games](https://static.pupperish.com/images/ClaDGiXPUwcH_3861_700.jpg)
I mean, it wasn't they were completely without anything to do! They had plenty of VHS tapes to get them through the boring times.
VHS Tapes For Days
All the classics too!![VHS Tapes For Days](https://static.pupperish.com/images/yLbeKvmGXJRW_3861_700.jpg)
The couple still drove their 2016 car but they disabled all of the extra technology such as the GPS and the CD player.
Say Hello To Your "New" Cell Phones, Kids!
There was not an iPhone in sight![Say Hello To Your](https://static.pupperish.com/images/BbwZSTRmgdAV_3861.gif)
You're likely wondering if this little experiment was successful or not. McMillan and his wife say it was an overall positive experience and did have the outcome they had hoped for. They noted that it made the family "more present" and the family was able to spend a great deal more time together. "We eat dinner together. We sit in our family room on the weekends, Morgan on the couch, I’m on the chair and the kids bring out their toys. Nothing can take us away from the moment.”
There were negative elements to the experiment, however. The family noted that it was extremely hard to stay in touch with other people because they were obviously still living according to the current time period. It also cost McMillan a few business transactions because he could not use his email accounts and that proved difficult to his clients.
Maybe McMillan Should Have Got One of These Bad Boys
Although, I'm not sure it would even send emails anymore![Maybe McMillan Should Have Got One of These Bad Boys](https://static.pupperish.com/images/pNSmBLZcDguO_3861.gif)
Although the family learned a great deal from this experience, they have now returned to live the modern life. The family took away an immense amount of valuable lessons and enjoyed their time bonding closer than ever before.
Cheers to that.