Yes, folks, it’s the start of another term, and here at Chez Sheppard we (okay, *I*, the mean and unreasonable parent) have unplugged the TV for the duration of the school term.
O, the gnashing of teeth and wailing and rubbing ashes in hair!
So when the boys came home from school yesterday, they walked into the living room, sighed at the tasteful throw with which I have camouflaged the TV… and then we played cards, cooked, drew and coloured, talked about our days, and had a really nice evening.
We only got the TV a few months ago, and it really changed our lives. I found that the kids were less demanding, and I had more time for doing my stuff. When they looked for me, I said “Mmhmm, coming in a minute,” and at the end of the minute they had forgotten what they wanted me for and were watching ‘Top Gear’. We played together less. The boys played less board games. They also played outdoors MUCH less, and bickered more, and not just about what channel to watch!
I have to break the habit of going off into my room whenever they were watching TV. I have to give up my TV shows. I have to set an example by NOT being on the laptop when they are home. I have to entertain them, a little, until they detox from their TV-induced boredom. But now that they are back at school, they are going to be so busy most days that I don’t think this will be too much of a problem!
But so far, no TV = more play. I can live with that.
I’ll let you know how it goes!
by Nan Sheppard
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Photo graciously provided by Jake Mates, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
When I saw the title of this post in my Reader, I KNEW who the author was without even looking.
I wish I had had that much courage when MY kids were growing up.
Last year we had a “no TV on school days” rule, but come to think of it, I haven’t been enforcing it now that we are back in school! Thanks for the reminder. I try to limit the screen time, but it creeps upward as soon as I stop paying attention.
I just read an article about kids with school anxiety which said that one step was making sure the home environment wasn’t excessively easy and fun. My kids don’t have school anxiety, but they aren’t fond of school. I tend to think that since they have a hard time at school, home should be the relaxing place where they recharge, but maybe home should be a little more challenging to their imaginations.
It’s interesting how families migrate to different things. We have all the technology gadgets such as a TV, computer, Wii, etc., but thankfully we don’t migrate to them the minute our eyes open or when we have free time. Maybe the fact that we live on a farm helps with that, because there are plenty of things do to whether it be chores or fun family time.
The Wii is used for family nights; the TV is used for the news, occassional cartoons, and for hubby and I to whind down before bed; and the computer is used for our business. It’s all in what you choose to make those things be utilized for in your household.
Bravo for you with the insight of how your family changed and the strength to make it the way you think is best for your family!
You’re right Sherry… Living on a farm makes a difference! We moved to the UK a year ago, and living in a flat in a rainy town is really different from our previous lifestyle! The boys were always outdoorsy before… but with five acres of backyard, ponds, woods and trails why would they want to be indoors?
Being cooped up indoors, I have to make more effort not to veg out. We all do!