Raising Six Children Without Electronic Devices
A Day in the Life of the Smith Family
Glade and Bethel Smith's children begin their day not by scrolling through phones, but by having breakfast together as a family and reading the Bible. The six children, Madeline, Everett, Annabeth, Vivian, Penelope, and Henry, all take turns reading the verses. Afterward, they clean up the kitchen and prepare for their day.
Glade, a 41-year-old from Nebraska, explained that they homeschool their children and none of them have a phone or any electronic devices. They don't play video games either. Instead, they love to read and use their imagination.
Homeschooling and Farm Work
The children start their homeschooling day at 8:30 a.m. with their mother reading aloud novels that align with their schoolwork. This is followed by a fun singing session. The Smith children, who read at least 25 to 30 books per year, always beg for one more chapter to be read.
If they finish their schoolwork by lunchtime, the children are encouraged to help their father on the farm. This is especially true for 3-year-old Henry, who isn't in school yet and spends most of his time on the farm. He loves milking cows and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty.
Learning Responsibility Through Work
On Mondays, the older children help Glade pack beef boxes for their family business, Family Beef Farm Box, which ships dry-aged, hand-cut beef across the country. In recent years, the parents have introduced the concept of paid jobs. Each child earns some money for completing their daily chores.
The Smith children, who were introduced to farm life from birth, have shown a strong work ethic. Glade recalls a work trip to Oklahoma with his son, Everett, who impressed a fellow cattleman with his diligence. Everett's hard work in the fields has also won the hearts of neighbors, many of whom have asked for his help with their own fields.
Bottom Line
The Smith family's approach to raising their children without electronic devices and with a strong work ethic is certainly unique in today's digital age. It raises questions about the role of technology in children's lives and the value of hands-on learning and responsibility. What are your thoughts on this approach to parenting? Would you consider such a lifestyle for your own family? Share this article with your friends and see what they think. And don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
