Mom Photographs Her Kids Growing Up Without Electronics
It’s not a new idea to raise children without technology, but so few parents actually manage to pull it off. One of them is a photographer from New Zeland, Niki Boon, who shares her achievement in this heartwarming photo series called “Childhood in the Raw”.
Niki became interested in photography while working in Scotland, but on her travels she felt that the charm was wearing off. You would think that coming back home eventually ended the hobby, but surprisingly, it rekindled her passion. She has found inspiration in her children who are growing up electronics-free on a 10-acre property in New Zeland.
“There is a bit of work involved when living on land for sure,” Niki told Bored Panda. “…and we have animals to tend to. But the work is, mostly, what we enjoy…and it is great for the kids to gain the sense of what it is to have to work to enjoy what we have, to learn where our food comes from first hand, about new life and death, both very interesting and not always easy life lessons to learn.”
More info: nikiboonphotos.com | facebook | instagram | 500px (h/t: boredpanda)
“My children are unschooled and live without TV or modern electronic devices”
This is a “lifestyle that may seem unconventional to some”
“But I am here to celebrate the magical place I choose to live with my family”
“I document their days, together, in an environment full of nature and uninhibited play”
“I photograph as physical record of their childhood, life as it is…”
“the real…”
“but also as a reflection of a childhood rooted deep in my own past”
“…a most sincere place of freedom”
“A childhood I now pass on to my own children”
“Although deeply personal I believe that others will also connect to some aspect of their own childhood…”
“I believe my children are right where they belong covered in mud”
Got wisdom to pour?
beautiful images. In photos a moment is frozen in time, but eventually kids grow in adults and need to know how to navigate in world with others that didn’t grow up like they did. I hope not exposing them to electronics doesn’t leave them ill prepared to navigate the world so dependent on electronics and computers.
Scott, modern user interfaces are trivial to learn; this issue is therefore of zero concern. The benefits of minimising exposure to display screens (along with the sedentary life they incur) cannot be underestimated — especially at young ages. Also, the real use of electronic devices lies not in merely using them to access social media, etc, but in *programming*. And that a child (or adult) will learn if they want to.
Its like raising your children without books.
They will enter the world as adults and be functionally illiterate.
Its like being proud to raise your children without books.
They will enter the world as adults and be functionally illiterate.
Beautiful images – thank you for sharing them.
Beautiful photos! Enjoyed getting a peak into your wonderful life
This is so good, but I just wonder if the kids have any friends?
Do you mean “friends” with whom they vegetate for hours in front of the TV and mobile devices? With whom they never experience adventures in the real world? What the vast majority of people call ‘socialisation’ is the limited form they receive at school (a.k.a. Horizontal Socialisation). Friends come in all ages, forms, and backgrounds.