Kill Your TV — A Simple Plan to a Better Life
December 19, 2008|Comments (33)
Nothing against Sponge Bob or the Disney Channel or even awesome TLC shows like 17 and Counting (Who doesn’t love the Duggars?) but one of the very first decisions that we made as new parents was to keep the television turned off. We had no idea if our plan would work but we were going to try!
Admittedly, the first few days were difficult. The kids had all but been raised by the glowing screen of the tube and when they talked about people — nine times out of ten the people were characters on the television shows they frequented. There were even the occasional longing glances cast toward the TV. As the first few hours and days trickled by, the children adjusted to a busier life and now walk right past the TV on their way to the kitchen to help me bake, outside to play with the dogs, the dining room to color and paint, or their rooms to pull out toys or books for free play.
And then an amazing thing began to happen — we started to get to know our kids and they started to get to know themselves. And the discovery? They are really fantastic kids.
Really.
The moral to the story: Kill your TV and bring your kids to life.
The comment box is below the way-cool advertisement.
Please leave us a comment. We love reading them and feel that they are the best part of the site. Thank you!
I couldn’t agree more. We couldn’t afford cable when we were first married and now, 14 years later, we just haven’t bothered to ever get it. Consequently, we hardly ever have the tv on and we *are* richer for it. As you said, your kids won’t really miss it once they get used to the initial withdrawals. Now, we only let them watch dvds as a special treat…and it is a treat rather than a constant part of their daily life. Good for you…you’ll be happier for it!
Good for you! Our girls, didn’t have TV until they were about 12. There was none in our house. They became avid readers and developed strong creative skills along with imaginative abilities. They played outside and with our dogs. We had wonderful tea parties and crafts and they learned basic living tasks. Now grown, they are both strong, devoted, and constant readers who spend their spare time in useful endeavor. Last night we attended the grandaughter’s 8th grade choir concert (instead of tv after school, she is taking voice and guitar lessons). We found that all of us had brought along reading material for before the show. It is a great joy to read the books that my grandchildren enjoy and connect with them through the joint experience. A retired educator, I know that positive interaction with ones child is critical …and that children glued to a tv aren’t interacting with anyone but themselves.
Would you be interested in exchanging blogrolls links with my site? Please email me if you are interested
I’m with you 100 percent on that one. If it weren’t for my DH our TV would never come on.
I’m so happy to hear that everything is going for the best! I grew up without a tv…
Cheers and have a wonderful weekend,
Rosa
Your kids look like they’re having a blast. What a wonderful life they are about to embark on!
wonderful development - we do have tv and do watch it but there are absolutely no children in our household either. Loving the pictures of a tickle fest! BTW the Duggars are now 18 - had a little girl. I love it when people who love kids - have kids.
What great pictures of your fun-loving kids! I agree with you so much on television. We’ve only had one for about six months and watch it very rarely, so Mayla never watched it until she was 4. I notice a HUGE difference in how they play compared with other kids. For starters, they play for long stretches without any problem! Neither one of my kids seems affected by gender-specific toys. For that matter, they never ask for any specific toy ever, because they’ve never seen ads! What a blessing! Anyway, I could go on and on, but I can’t pass up this opportunity to say how amazingly fun your kids seem!
Amen, Lacy! Now listen to me carefully, baby girl. There’s absolutely no reason for it not to “work.” Just don’t turn it on.
Your children are beautiful. What a blessing. You guys have your hands full and it just makes my heart feel so good for you. Bless you both.
Can we get details yet? How old are they, etc? Any 8-year-olds in need of a pen pal?
Judy
Amen, Sista!
Because of budget concerns we got rid of cable….now we get 2 channels, PBS and Fox. Needless to say, without the choices, no one is watching the tube much nowadays (and it was never on during the week anyway). Last week we had 3 teenagers sitting down to watch the PBS special about Niagara Falls, something I doubt they would have done if ESPN had been available.
Now the boob tube is pretty much for watching DVD’s and that’s usually a nice family time anyway…plus a good excuse to make popcorn
Preach i tfirl! Im glad to hear things are going well for you guys!
I swear the TV is a source of heat at my house. The Boys watch it constantly. It does leave me time to paint uninterrupted. We do have a no TV/texting/phone calls rule during dinner time. It is our time to connect.
Oddlly enough, we wanted to see how long we could go without television. So far, 9 years and counting. We do watch a movie together at night- but that’s planned, wind-down, family time. It’s amazing what you can find to do when you’re not distracted by the telly!
We haven’t been disciplined enough to do without TV entirely, but we don’t watch much. We have never had cable (or whatever it is called now.) I have never had it. But you are so right. There is so much else to do other than watch the tube.
I’m glad to hear things are going well for you guys. I can’t wait for details. Are you going to homeschool? How long before the adoption is finalized? Four, right? That is so awesome. I’m sure there will be a Christmas family portrait around the tree!
I’m so excited for you and Josh and the kids. I hope your first Christmas with a house full of youngsters is filled with joy and love.
ps: Remember, some of us make our living from tv. Some folks need to watch so we can keep our jobs. Love ya.
I could not agree more. We have never used the TV to baby sit our kids. I am proud to the fact that my kids don’t know any of the Disney characters because they are too busy living.
I totally agree…
Since moving, though, I have had the new privilege of having cable. Good grief is that ever addicting. My hubby wants NFL Sunday Ticket. Know how foreign TV is for us???….We haven’t had cable for 10+ years. Now it seems to be THE thing to do around here and I can smell the brain rot.
I had to LOL when I read how your kids refer to TV characters in their conversations as if they were real people. My kids have started doing that… “Mom! Patrick was going to Squidward’s house and know what he did??” Then I say, “Who on earth would name their kid Squidward??” thinking, of course, that these were actual kids they had just met.
:o)
Enjoy every moment of those kids. They grow so QUICKLY!
Merry Christmas!
I think it is a great lifestyle choice. When our kids were younger they watched very little TV. They watch more now, but it is evening and some weekend watching.
Good job on the no tv zone! We watch tv but it is limited….and we have many other things to do!
Ok first of all, The Duggars.. seriously?!
And as to the TV…it’s on a lot, here, but more in the way that most folks have music playing. We have horrible radio stations here. No cable in our house though, mostly movies on disc, and usually we’re too busy with the house to even notice! I imagine, when we have a kid, it will be on less.
Hi Lacy
I wish I would have done that with my son Alex, but at 18, I think it may be too late
Annie on the other hand hardly ever watches TV and would rather cook or make crafts with me, so I haven’t had to monitor it. I think a healthy balance is okay, but like I said, Alex was always glued and I wish I would have cut the TV back when I could have.
BTW, thank you so much for the Thanksgiving card. It was in my anti-spam folder and I didn’t see it until just now. That was really sweet of you and I’m so sorry for not seeing it earlier.
I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and many blessing in the New Year.
rue
Lacy-so glad things are going good!!
Amen sister!!
Okay, well I don’t exactly practice that which I praise…. but we have definite limits on what the kids can watch. And nothing but videos and PBS. But still, I praise your thinking!
Preach it, sistah— going on 5 TV-free years and loving it!
Lacy: I do hope everything is going well with the kids. It looks like they were having a ball with Josh and the fun soccer game.
I agree!!! And be gone with the Xbox thingy!!!
Merry Christmas!!!!!! To ALL of you!!! ; )
Happy Yule to you and your new family, my friend. The annual Christmas message has been posted at my place, and I wanted to come by and let you know.
Thankyou for being such a blessing in my life, Lacy; may your life always be blessed, too… *hug*
My kiddos watch tv even though I rarely do. If I tell them enough, it is turned off without question. (although I have rarely had to say that)
I think nothing in excess is a good thing!
How blessed are the kids to have you two as parents. 4 children, are they from the same family? What an extreme change of life. Again I am SO happy for you all!
This just warms my heart - I love hearing about your kids, it’s so magical. Kudos on switching off the brain-drain. We watch a lot of movies, but geesh….the TV can just suck you in.
I have been so behind on blogging I did not even read this. I think I need to try this with my kids. It just seems like the norm to have the tv goin in the background. I think we need to step out of the norm.
How fun! Those kids are so lucky to have you all! I would take fun playtime outside over tv anyday!
Love the pictures of the kids playing…and with Josh and the dog too! THAT is living!!
Our kids didn’t have TV for about 5 years…and you are right! Without that distraction in life, life becomes amazing! More fulfilling and adventurous! EVERYONE learns…about themselves and other within the family unit…how to become one!
I’m so happy for you Lacy!!!!
Hugs and prayers~
Momma Barb