We actually did the same thing about a year ago with wonderful success in getting our TV watching back under control, but we've let the guidelines we set in place slide a little since then. The thought that keeps coming back to me is that I would be super annoyed at a babysitter who let my kids watch as much TV as I do. One of the main reasons I stay home with them is to provide the best care I can for them, but our TV usage is at least 2-3 hours a day. It doesn't FEEL like I'm allowing that much until I add it all up. Ugh!
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| This picture is from a few months ago. I was almost too embarrassed to include it. See me reading, oblivious to the world around me, in the background? Case in point. |
So, I've taken the plunge. We've been without TV since Monday and we're surviving! We're going to finish out the week without it and hopefully re-introduce it in healthier portions next week.
I really don't think TV is bad. I even think it can be a good thing if I use self control when allowing it in our home. The self-control issue seems to be my biggest enemy with this issue. So I taped these two verses to a blanket over the TV to help me remember why I'm doing this and the result I should be striving for. (I made them into printables, if you want them. Just click on the reference.)
Ephesians 5:15-16a - Be very careful, then, how you live-- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity... (Choosing the TV when things get hectic in my world is typically not the best way for me to make the most of every opportunity.)
Proverbs 25:16 - If you find honey, eat just enough-- too much of it, and you will vomit. (I think I'll probably leave this on our TV stand after this week to remind me to use "portion control." Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.)
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| Isaac noticed the honey pot right away. So we read the verse and talked about it. He then informed me that he didn't "wike" it. |
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| I had no idea at the time that Silas was planning to sabotage my brilliant TV disguise. |
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| If you have a baby who loves all things soft and you go back to your bedroom to fix your hair, this might be what you come back out to. Our verses are just loosely taped to the actual TV frame now. :) |
I'm not about to try to force my stress-inducing lesson on you, but if this struck a chord with you and you want to finish out the week with us, will you leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail? Maybe we could pray for each other as we take a break from television and re-assess what role it should play in our homes. Also, sometimes it's kind of nice to know there's someone else out there going a little nuts with you! :)
If your family has some good guidelines in place that work for your family, will you share them with me? Last time we tried one 30 min. show in the morning and one 30 min. show in the afternoon with a movie night once a week. In theory it seems like plenty, if not more than enough television, but in practice... well, like I said, we've fallen off the bandwagon... Maybe somebody has some better ideas? I'd love to hear them! Please leave a comment!
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Ugh! I have no advice but thanks for the encouragement to turn off the tv. It is something I have been thinking about doing for awhile but I just haven't been able to... pull the plug!
ReplyDeleteGood idea! We don't have children but I often tell my husband that our TV is on far too much. If I was living alone, I do not think that I would even have one!
ReplyDeleteWe typically do 1/2 an hour in the morning and 1/2 an hour in the afternoon, and never more than 2 hours for the full day. I've been pregnant or nursing for the past 3 years and there are just some days I can't function without a quick cat nap : ) I don't let going over an hour of tv a day discourage me if it happens. I aim low and if it winds up a little high I forgive myself, things happen. When my oldest was younger I would only let her watch ten minutes at a time, but then she'd beg for tv all day, it was too much. Now TV time is a set part of our schedule, after breakfast and after nap. If a tantrum is thrown about wanting to watch more tv after tv time I give a swift consequence.
ReplyDeleteHow funny that I chose to read your blog when I logged onto Courtney's this morning! I just wrote a post this morning on why I love reality-tv!
ReplyDeleteI get what you're saying though and know that tv is just another item in the house. It shouldn't be a babysitter or idol, but just something we do every now and then.
http://heritagecreek.blogspot.com/
I wish we were TV free. I think my husband would just keel over and die if I suggested going TV free. I HAVE in the last few days ( must be something going around?) not allowed the TV on during the day and the children ( mine are 9 and 11 ) have found many ways to keep themselves entertained. Of course the COMPUTER is still on.... I think I'd have to go SCREEN free if we were to do it properly... .and that makes my heart jump around at the thought! We'll try and stay TV free for the week so we can do it with you... hubby will no doubt want it on at night though..... : }
ReplyDeleteAwesome, awesome. I love what you are doing. We raised our girls without it at all, but the schedule you set up is so good. I love finding mommas who care enough to inconvenience themselves for the good of their children. Your family is blessed.
ReplyDeletePamela
I love this! We spent a week (several months ago) media free in the evenings after my husband got home. Music was the only acceptable use of the computer! It was HARD.
ReplyDeleteCurrently I use the computer to work (and social media) so even though I'm convicted, I'm having trouble rationalizing not working...
That is great! I have often felt that television takes up too much our time. I know, ok I think I know that I could live without it, I just need to convince my husband (and children) of the same thing. Great post and great encouragement!
ReplyDeleteI only have young children (one is almost 2, the other is 4mos), so we're not very experienced yet, but I'll share what we do. We decided before our first was born that we wouldn't let the children watch TV until they could read. I thought it would be super challenging, but I actually think it's easier for me to go completely without than to try to restrict it. I think I would find it really easy to overuse the tv as a sitter. Since we've never used it, it doesn't even enter my mind during the day. An added plus is that my toddler never asks for it and still has no idea who Elmo is! :o)
ReplyDeleteThe hubby and I do watch in the evenings after the kids are in bed. I would love to get rid of it completely, but I think my husband would contact his divorce lawyer! ;o)
Hey there! Thanks for including The Trifecta in your blog. Still plugging along unplugged over here. Chance is concerned that I can't find the television anymore. Ha! Things have changed, but for the better. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughts and input, ladies! They have really helped me as I process how this is all going to look next week when the TV comes back! :)
ReplyDeleteWe do 1/2 to 1 hour in the afternoon after naps. Some days they definitely watch more such as when Mommy or one of them is sick. Back when I was in 9th grade my parents did a no TV challenge for a week that was going around local churches at the time. I remember thinking we would die. Well the TV didn't come back on (except for once a week family movies) until I had graduated and been in college for 2 years! I remember when watching TV with my roommates in my Junior year of college (I commuted to school for the first 2 years) having absolutely no idea what was on TV. I actually felt like I had been living under a rock for 6 years, but I have some wonderful family memories from my high school years and am so grateful to my parents for taking that stance in their home.
ReplyDeleteWhen we first got married (1985) we chose not to have a T.V., instead we spent time talking, walking, listening to books on tape, and going to the library.
ReplyDeleteFor our first anniversary my in-laws thought it would be nice to give us a T.V. A well-intended gesture but not the best idea. We found it too easy to become addicted to the plug in drug instead of interacting with one another.
After our first son was born (1991) we decided to get rid of our cable and it became just a monitor for movies and eventually the Wii.
Today (2012, our four children love to read, are each others' best friends, and know how to interact with others.
Creating a T.V. free home has been one of the greatest gifts we have given our children.
well I have tv and love it my kids love tv too, just not sure I get the point. My kids absolutely love to read we read several books per day. My 6 year old son just finished first grade and on his testing he shows to be reading on a 5th grade level. I guess I just want to you all to explain to me why this is such an issue. I am more worried about how their manners and how they treat people. We have a pool in the back yard, show horses and spend time doing many other things such as playing games and puzzles. I just feel that it is just as important to be well rounded.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous! Sounds like your family has a great handle on the role tv plays in your home! I think my biggest problem has been to not let it be such a major part of our life so that my kids will be more well-rounded, as you said. My oldest would watch it all day and not ever get up to play if I let him. Lol! :)
DeleteOur son made it easy for us and had the tenancy to always turn off the TV whenever we tried to turn it on once he was old enough. Then when he started to pull up on things, we decided to take the plunge and sold it on Craigs List. It's been so nice to not have it. We never really spent that much time on it before except for movies, but my husband and I enjoy the occasional flick but we just watch it on the computer. Thanks for sharing and good luck.
ReplyDeleteI know you posted this forever ago, but wanted to comment anyway. :) I have always known that this would be a huge temptation for me so I just have a set time each day for TV (about 45 minutes - 1 hr). Its set so my kids don't even think to ask at other times and more importantly it isn't an "option" for me to turn it on at other times. It works well for us. Also, wanted to say that I love your Bible story ideas! Thanks for blogging about them!
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