Chat and hide-and-seek with Julie Philippon: interview for the 5@8 Screen-Free Challenge

Author, blogger, speaker, but above all a mom, Julie is curious, creative and a touch hyperactive. Through her blog Maman Booh (in French), she shows us how our reality as parents can be gentler and more enriching. Above all, she's an ordinary girl who lives extraordinary things despite life's ups and downs. Her goal: to inspire people who are juggling life's difficulties, who feel “down in the dumps,” to feel less alone and better understood through the authentic sharing of her own journey and helpful tips. Her presence during the 5@8s will surely help you take the drama out of the harder moments.   How many children do you have, and how old are they? I have two kids (I should really say “teens”), aged 12 and 14.   How many screens do you have at home?  Hmm... Two TVs (but only one plugged in), a family computer, my laptop, 3 tablets (one for each kid, plus mine) and, recently, 4 smartphones (actually, the kids inherited our old ones).   On a “normal” weekday, how many hours are you with your children? Good question! Generally, I'm here from the time they get up to the time they go to bed! I'm here when they leave for school, but also when they get back, in the evenings, on weekends, etc., except when I'm giving talks, covering events or at book fairs. In short, I'm home as much as they are!   How many hours a day do you spend on screens?  Ouch! The killer question! I work from home, on screens most of the time, using the internet connection, except when I'm writing my manuscripts, and even then, I do a lot of research... Darn!   What habit have you lost because of (or thanks to) technology? Using a watch, an alarm clock and even a stopwatch. Searching for my camera, since I always use the one on my iPhone.   What's the one app you can't do without on your cell phone? Does the flashlight count? If not, the calendar that I can sync with all the others? FaceTime or Messenger to stay in touch with family who live (too) far away?   Which app should you delete?   Is it hard to manage your own screen time? Sort of.   Do you have a screen rule at home? Not at night! It probably sounds strange to read this when you have young children, but teens communicate around the clock, so at our house, once they're in bed, that's it. Ideally, no iGadgets on the 2^nd floor where the bedrooms are (except for us, the parents, and it's only our phones). I don't bring my computer into my bedroom, or if I do, very rarely. And we must always be respectful! Being a user with good practices, at all times, me as a blogger but also as an individual, and I expect my kids to be the same. It takes education; I hope it's well learned, actually.   Are you more airplane mode or FOMO (fear of missing out)? “Airplane,” I love that option.  

Rapid-fire round:

  It's hard to answer because since last spring, my kids have grown almost 20 centimetres and have “walked” into adolescence through the front DOOR! So almost all my reference points have changed. Your favourite board game? Scrabble for the adults (once the kids are in bed), UNO when the younger ones are around, or Yahtzee, which brings pretty much everyone together – we're pretty “classic,” huh?   Your favourite children's book? I have too many and I refuse to choose!   Your favourite app for little ones? Ha! There are so many. I really like what TFO does for kids (Boukili), and also all the ones that let you learn while having fun, like “La magie des mots,” or visual timers (like Time Timer), but I think what we've always liked best is looking at photos and videos. I'm a real shutterbug; I like to document everyday life and pull out those lovely moments when it's a not-so-good day.   Your favourite family outing? The most recent one! I always try to enjoy the present moment. If there are animals and nature, it's likely to be the best outing in the world, until the next one.   The toy that can captivate your kids for hours? Building sets, LEGO, figurines like Playmobil, or puzzles, but above all, books (yes, I know, it's debatable, but at our house they fit in the “toys” category too). As part of the “5@8 Screen-Free Challenge,” Julie suggests an evening of chit-chat and hide-and-seek. PLAYING HIDE-AND-SEEK never goes out of style! It's even more fun in the dark. Indoors or outdoors, bring out your flashlights and, above all, have fun! We wish you plenty of belly laughs. Don't hesitate to share photos of your 5@8s on social media using #Défi5a8sansécrans