Low-tech family

A few weeks ago, I read an article about the family who attempted living a retro 80's life for a year. Aside from the mullet the dad sported, the kids weren't allowed any hand-held electronic devices, cellphones were a no no, and I think the television was an old model that involved getting up off the couch to change the channel. Interesting, but I don't I think I could survive a week, let alone a month.
At the same time, I understand the reasons why we should limit screen time for our kids, and it's increasingly hard when you consider the variety of screens that exist - smartphones, tablets, laptops, DVD players, DS or other small video games, the television, etc. At home, in the classroom, at a friend's house, at a restaurant (although that's about limiting the spouse's exposure to the big screen), in the car...you have to admit it's annoying to see a family out for dinner, presumably to spend time together, and the entire family is texting away or talking on their phones. Or my biggest pet peeve - seeing parents constantly on their phones at the play centres, not paying attention, let alone playing, with their kids.
I am not adverse to technology and its various gadgets. I'm blogging, aren't I? But for kids, I'm more old-fashioned. The laptop is in the kitchen, and the kids really aren't allowed onto internet unless it's an educational, parent-approved site or its for school projects. We haven't developed any hard and fast rules regarding social media, other than "no". We do give in, and let the kids play on the Xbox or watch television, especially when we need a break from the rugrats.
The one area where we don't have such entertainment is the car. Nothing gets me more annoyed that seeing a kid watching the DVD in the car on a trip to the mall. We regularly take car trips of four hours or more. There is no portable DVD player in our vehicle. We had one a looong time ago, but it soon broke down. And I couldn't be bothered to replace it. The kids have managed to survive the long car rides. They'll read, or sing along to the radio. They check out the scenery, and count the cows/sheep/tires on the trucks. They sleep, with the aid of Gravol (only the two prone to puking in a moving car), and more often than not, they get silly and bug each other, and prompt us to threaten to leave one of them on the side of the road. Surely, the last scenario would cause us to run out and buy a tablet or two to maintain the peace? Nah. I believe in learning the skill to entertain oneself, and to be comfortable with the idea that being bored on occasion is okay. And if nothing else, it's a rite of passage of childhood to annoy your parents and your siblings. Being able to converse with each other is a life skill, even if the topic is downright silly or gross.
And we LOOOVE saying over and over again "We'll get there when we get there! Don't ask again!"

(And we do own a tablet. It was purchased in preparation for a four hour long plane trip with a 22 month old who would be confined to my lap, in the window seat, on a sold-out flight. THAT was a necessity.)