A mum has been praised on Facebook for teaching her kids a lesson in a very unique way – taking the WiFi box for a family day out after she was shunned by her internet-obsessed kids.
Lucy Brazier, 41, from Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, spent the day treating the Sky modem to a day of rock climbing, indoor ball pits and some good old fashion sun last week.
She had planned a family day out at Manor Wildlife Park, Tenby, with kids Tiana, 14, and Tristian, 11, and fiance Mike Newman, 40, but was told they would rather stay indoors on their phones.
Eager to teach them a lesson on being too reliant on smartphones, Lucy drove home to disconnect the WiFi in a bid to leave them without internet for a few hours.
Lucy and Mike then spent the next three and a half hours treating the worn-out Sky box to a day of gazing at animals, trips down the slides and indoor play.
“It was childish on our part but immensely satisfying to be honest,” Lucy, who run’s children’s wellbeing company My E-motion, told Jam Press.
“We had a lovely afternoon and a right laugh in taking the pictures and videos.
“What was a bonus was when we got home the kids were obviously desperate to get their precious Wifi back and had actually started their chores.
“And they carried on until they had finished them all with very little back chat. Result.
“We actually saved money as the WIFI modem didn’t ask for snacks every 20 minutes.
“I was about to pick them up from their dad’s for the trip out but they were refusing to come.
“They have been too focused on their phones as it had been an issue while they were on holiday in Lanzarote.
“So we decided to teach them a lesson.
“We did get a few parents asking what we were doing.
“But when we told them it was always met with laughter. Someone said it was genius parenting.
“I obviously missed the kids all afternoon as I know they would have enjoyed themselves if they had come as well as having much needed fresh air, exercise and vitamin D.
“But I think the point was made.”
Lucy posted the adventures on Facebook with the caption: “The kids CBA to do anything today – despite the sun shining & it being a beautiful day so we took the WIFI modem for a day out instead.
“Totally childish of us I know but very satisfying & they did all their chores to get it back so result #parentingtips #parentinghacks #discipline #parentsofinstagram #teenagersthesedays #modemsdayout #nowifi.”
Her post has so far racked up 13,000 likes on Facebook with hundreds of fellow parents applauding the pettiness.
One Facebook user wrote: “It’s nice to see the router being treated to a day out for a change. They do so much for us, it’s nice to give back.”
Someone else said: “This is brilliant. Totally hilarious!! Made me chuckle. Hope the sky WiFi had a great day out!!”
“Aw I bet all the other modems are jealous and want to be adopted by you now,” said a third social media user.
A fourth person commented: “This is next level parental blackmail, you should have a tiny rucksack to carry it.”
But some people were critical of the unusual punishment.
One Facebook user said: “What is with parents punishing kids for wanted to have a recharge day.” [sic]
Lucy says she is now thinking of starting an online movement to combat technology reliant teens.
She added: “Other parents should upload themselves taking their WIFI modem on days out to show the lazy, technology addicted kids what they are missing!
“Our children need to get out more like we did when we were kids!
“I was hardly ever home when I was a child.
“I was always out having adventures with friends and the sedentary, gaming addiction lifestyle is so damaging for our future generations health and wellbeing!”
