no tv

[melissa L.]

We ran into the same situation in our home as well. I just "took" it away for the schooldays, and they are allowed to watch it on weekends. We usually are so busy on the weekends, that they don't watch it, or they forget. I have lots of board games, sports equipment, books and crafts for them to do. Sometimes I worry about playdates, especially other parents who let their children watch much older material, or violent things. But my boys know they don't have to watch it, or, I will say something to the parent, nicely of course!I've actually been priviledged enough to hear my eldest son (7) tell his friend that he isn't allowed to watch Yu-gi-ho and could they play something instead. Yeah for him! I can tell when they have watched TV though, because there is pent up energy and whiny behavior. Good luck! You are doing the right thing.

[homebirthx2]

We got rid of our tv and I just love it. There is so much more for the kids and us to do instead of wasting time in front of the tv.

[fourgrtkidos]

We just got Tv back after 2 yrs of none. Long story: I was hosting family Thanksgiving and my "family" called me one by one (seriously, 14 phone calls out of 30 that showed- including kids) to voice their concerns about "what might happen if we actually had to talk to each other instead of watching macy's parade and football?"! (There were also a few requests thrown in that "I go into a seperate room to breastfeed my children" and would I please make a " 'real' turkey along with the Tofurkey?". )So, when I seriosly thought about what might happen in my family if I forced them all to face each other and talk and maybe contribute to the thanking tree my kids made as a center peice or God forbid say out loud something they were thankfull for (like I did last time and embarrassed everyone)........... I got a small TV by their standards /BIG by mine and ordered the cheapest cable I could, the day before ThanksGiving.

AND,

The Tv has been nothing but problems.... See my post about my 5 yr old wanting to dress and pose like a sex-pot (maybe she saw some commercials, etc. while I am hurriedly trying to find PBS?) and there is "never" anything to do now because there is "nothing good" on PBS to watch because they want to watch Yu-Gi-Oh and whatever other shows names I don't know that their friends get to watch that are damaging to their little brains instead of reading and using their imaginations!!!!!!!!!


Now that I vented and see what I really want to do to that TV-
The Tv is going BYE-BYE!!!!

Thanks for bringing the matter up.

Michelle Slightly loopy Momma of Four Great Kidos

[papabliss]

We have never had a TV nor will we ever have one. Whenever I see one spilling its guts all over friends living rooms, not only is my resolve never to have such a thing anywere near my kids, but I am filled with concern for the majority of kids in this country who learn about life from the tv.

Sure you can argue that there are good programs, but my feeling is that unless there are no (read zero) commericals and only high quality programing is what is watched for no more than an hour-while plenty of manipulatives (ie toys) are present, the tv is damaging to human beings.

I do not take the tv lightly. I really do fear its affect on people and the severe limitations it places on their brains. There is so much to life and growing up, but I have yet to find a roll for tv in any of it.

Thanks for listening.

pb

[sweet tea]

we limit..most days she watches none...but sometimes..I let her..and after one show..she says ok mama..I'm doen with this...*so sweet*

[love2all]

Never had one, never will. There is soooooooooooo much other stuff to do. Just our families opinion.....

[MamaBug]

As a tv watcher myself I like to have it. However we do limit the boys to only the weekends, I find that they are much calmer without it. And I only watch it when they are asleep. I try to spend out time reading, doing crafts and being outside. Since having them I have cut down on how much I watch as well.

[boobear]

Thanks for the kick in the pants I need on this topic. I agree with little to no tv but there are days I use it as a crutch. Unfortunately when I do the day goes down-hill and only makes it a longer one.

We have a Tivo unit which is nice when I want (movies and 2 weekly shows) but my DH gets hooked into *anything* that comes on and will sit and watch whatever it is until it's over (ugg).

So, again, thanks for the reminder/encouragement/boost to keep ours off.

[vipassanagal]

I have not had a TV in 18 years. My ds is 23 m and doesn't know what it is.

We were at a friend's home, the TV was on, and he was kissing it not b/c he loved it but b/c he had no clue what it was.

I love a no TV life and have no problems finding things for my ds to do w/ out it. He will easily entertain himself for 3- 45 minutes filling muffin tins with water. I think kids are resourceful and can find ways to entertain themselves - well, that's the case in my house. TV just isn't an option.

I do worry about the coming years and how to deal with no TV and oder kids. I'm just hoping we can find a school / community group to support our views on TV.

All that said, I think many of my friends handle TV well. They allow minimal watching and talk about what they watch. I can respect that. I do have a hard time with folks who tell me it's good for kids.

[lizziejean]

I'm always interested in what people mean when they say 'tv'... there's a big difference between turning on the tv and watching whatever is on, including commercials, and watching a baby einstein video, yet both come under the 'tv' heading. What do you all think about videos, are they as useless/damaging as tv in your minds?

We have tv in our house, here are our rules:
- no adult tv while the kids are awake (exception - while breastfeeding an infant)
- no advertising AT ALL
- shows on demand (using TiVO) rather than 'appointment tv' (my friend's kid loves a particular show and wants to go home from the park etc in time to watch it - agh!)
- only 'educational' shows or ones I think are ok - the TiVo has Blue's Clues, Sesame St, Dora the Explorer, Bob the Builder, and Teletubbies episodes... my kids don't know about other shows.
- also we have the whole set of Baby Einstein videos because I love how there's no incessant talking, and no annoying songs!
- timing - they watch some in the morning before breakfast, which gives me time to wake up, and some after dinner before bed, which helps me get them in pj's and the little one in bed - I'm solo during the week, my dh gets home after they are well asleep.

FWIW!

Elizabeth
dd 12-24-00
ds 7-2-02