What's that? How could it be?
My TV devoted kids were at a loss. I tried to turn it on and still that familiar click and hum of power was absent. "Must be broken." I said after fumbling with the controls and checking to see if it was in fact still plugged in (which it was). I was ready to be met with high shreiking protests and tantrums but they merely shrugged it off and went on their way.
I did what I normally do when I don't want to stir the pot; I did nothing. I ignored their lack of response instead of jumping up and down dancing, surpressing expressing on the outside what my insides were doing.
I have a love/hate with Television. There are shows that have merit and educational DVD's that we own that are worthwhile, but overall I despise the innane, mind-numbing programming that my kids seem to be obsessed with. We have TV rules for what they can watch but sometimes the limits are what get me so aggrivated. I have four kids that all have opinions and favorites, they're also TV gluttons.
Which is really my fault. I know it. I own it. Over the course of years that included bedrest, new babies and single parenting, TV provided entertainment I couldn't. I just can't seem to make a working relationship with that damned box. It seems to be either all or nothing when it comes to the tube.
Tuesday was the same; TV free. I still couldn't figure out what was wrong with the set. Wednesday followed suit. Rob figured out what was wrong with the remote and he watched TV last night after the kids went to bed. "Just could you please, maybe, break it again when you're done?" I pleaded.
Today marks four days of the kids being completely TV free. It's amazing. But now I'm scared to turn it back on, now that I know how. I'm worried that one show, even if it's a thirty minute DVD is going to open the floodgates once again and have it's hooks back in my kids.
So, maybe we do a TV detox? A week or two completely free and then introduce a show here and there? Maybe longer? I'd love to hear other's experiences shutting down the tube and how (and if) you reintroduced it.
7 comments:
We have had a tv-free home for 7 years. One day, I just put the tv out on the curb with a free sign. Eventually, we got a hand-me-down one that we don't hook up to anything, and just watch movies on occasionally. I only let the kids watch a movie maybe once or twice a month, and when they're home sick. One friend I know got a really tiny tv that she kept put away in a closet, so it was a big deal to get it out and hooked up for movie night. Good luck!
Our kids don't watch tv either - well, VERY rarely, in desparate circumstances now! I used to let them watch veggie tales once a week, but then they would ask for it All. The. Time. And it drove me crazy!!!! So I cut it out completely. They begged for it for about a week, and then never asked again. If I let them watch a show here and there, we go through a few days with them asking several times if they can watch something, so it becomes not worth the stress to let them watch it! Dh still likes to watch it in the evenings, though. We only have dvd's, no cable or satelitte. I'd love to get rid of it altogether. They are forced to be more creative when turning on the "boob tube" isn't an option!
I wish... We seem to have TV's all over the house. One in the family room, one in the basement and one in our room. I also have a love/hate with it. It seems that I don't get much done without it. If I thought for a second the kids could go without it and still not get into tons of trouble, we would cut it out. Maybe only watch one show in the evening together. The 3 and 2 year old are into everything. If I want to even sit down and sew, I can't do it without worrying they are into something dangerous. I know I am wrong!!! I grew up with it though and I think I turned out alright. Hmmmm....
I don't have children, but my boyfriend and I have almost completely stopped watching tv. This came about after an extremely slow Sunday where we sat in the den and watched six hours of Law & Order. It was ridiculous.
After that I sort of just became bored with the tv. I'm generally a more active person and can occupy my time with other things. I enjoy writing or reading a book instead of television. We occasionally will watch a tv show if its late and neither of us can sleep or we'll rent a movie, but that's about it.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I tend to keep the tv on all day, just for the background noise (horrible, I know). My son is 3 months old, and he's starting to notice the tv and "watch" it. And even though it's nice that he's occupied by it and I can sneak in some housework, I don't want him to become addicted to tv like I am.
When I was growing up, my grandmother always had a radio playing while we worked. TV was in the evening, and only to watch the news, Wheel of Fortune, and Lawrence Welk. I'm considering digging out an old radio and just keeping that on a jazz station or something all day.
I'm liking the radio idea as stated before...I do like to clean/sew/garden/cook/dance to music... Sometimes I actually use my TV as a stereo, it's easier than digging out a CD...But I rarely let my son (3 years old) watch TV...because I've become the TV glutton... It actually didn't used to be this way...I think suburban life has made me lazy...and to be honest...all the shows and movies I want to watch I can do online or on netflix...so I could do without my satellite so could my kiddo....but could my partner? LOL...
We don't watch much ourselves, but I do like some of the new shows on the Science Channel (Steven Hawking's Universe and Through the Wormhole hosted by Morgan Freeman). I think my older kids would like these too. But it's never enough, and it breaks the "no tv" pattern.
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