let's make a list: 100 things we like to do instead of watching TV - Page 3

[mormontreehugger]

I like the ideas here, and I can't wait for DS to be old enough to participate in them more.  Any ideas for husbands who can't think of anything else to do at the end of the day when it's too cold/dark/rainy to play outside with the baby?  Something the family can do together (family = two adults and an 18 mo).  Right now we mostly chase DS away from dangerous stuff and try to get him to eat healthy food and then put him to bed in the evenings.  After that we're too exhausted to do anything but sit and stare at the boob tube.  We like to listen to audiobooks in the car, but I don't know what we could do while listening after the little one is asleep (DH won't want to just sit and listen--we'd both end up playing on our smartphones, which is a whole 'nother problem in and of itself...)

Any other ideas for tired parents after the kids are in bed to unwind and get some down time without a screen?

[Dessirey]

I must say I was just about to write the exact same words!!! we moved to a new house and the only TV is in the guest appartment...no direct access from the main house...hubby used to be an addict hence the 100" TV (j/k only 54")...it was giving me a headache w/out even being on! 

we make popsicles every day with different flavors 

we are building a chicken coop

we are getting a lamb

we cook everything from scratch and the kids help

we take loooooooooong baths every day together - all 4 of us

we take looooong walks

we invite friends over every day 

we skype with family from Europe and the East Coast

[McGucks]

We have been t.v. and video free for years.  It has gotten kind of challenging as DS1 (almost 16) is certainly the only one in his peer group to not have t.v., video systems, etc.  On his most recent sleepover, he and his buddy walked to the grocery store and pool and then nailed and screwed together a bunch of scrap wood.  Then they spray-painted it.

With DS2 (16 months), it's not such an issue since he doesn't know any better.  We have a glass storm door that we left in for the summer and we often sit behind it to watch the world.  We talk about trucks, rain, neighborhood cats, the trash truck, etc.

Those are just a few ideas.  I do not miss t.v. one bit.  I was terrible about limiting it when DS1 was a toddler, which is why I eventually quit.  XH and I just told him it was broken (we unplugged it).  It took him a week or so to adjust, but he was a much better person for it.  I like this thread and should print it out!

MIL doesn't understand or believe we are really going to stick to this.  Oh well.  We are.

[erikandgregsmom]

1. Cross-stitch

2. Read, read, read

3. play board games with DSs

4. go to a nature center

5. walk the dog

[Jackies Ladybug]

For my 3 and under crowd:

Bowl of dinner scraps to stir and "cut" while dinner is being made, after dinner it goes out to the chickens
Make playdoh and color with berry juice
Mop the floor (instant slip n slide)
"mega puzzle" take 3 wood inset puzzles and mix up all the pieces. My DD conquered the single puzzles around 2, so this has saved the day.
Worm hunting for the compost pile
Bubble machine
Playdoh + glitter+ little plastic animals= hours of digging and finding and hiding and laughing
Animal sounds and getting the animal sounds wrong. Big hit with my 18mo, she thinks its hillarious how dumb I am! ;P

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by Jackies Ladybug 

"mega puzzle" take 3 wood inset puzzles and mix up all the pieces. My DD conquered the single puzzles around 2, so this has saved the day.

This is brilliant, I've been wondering what to do with this stack of puzzles that has never seemed to challenge DS!!

[Koalamom]

subbing!

[SaguaroMoon]

Have conversations! DH & I talk about all kinds of things - politics, gardening, raising children (we're pregnant with our first), our friends, our families, past experiences, social issues, home improvement and about 1000 other topics. We're both genuinely interested in what the other has to say, and we often find that our perspectives on things help open each others minds even more.

In addition, we also read books, get stuff done around the house, got to festivals and events around our city, we have our own hobbies, we mess around online, we play board games, we learn about new topics together, etc. I'm sure we'll have a whole new list once the baby gets here (although I'm sure in the first few months, the list will be reduced to take care of the baby, eat, and sleep ).

On a similar topic, my husband told me about a conversation he had recently while hanging out with some friend from work the other day, and they asked him, "What do you and your wife do without a television?". DH mentioned some of the things above, and ended with, "mostly, we have a lot of conversations". One of his friends replied, "Wow, so you two just TALK? You must really love each other." I found that comment to be both really funny and somewhat disturbing. Why yes, yes we do.

[Nazsmum]

SaguaroMoon- How sweet!!! Congrads on the baby

[Bad Mama Jama]

walk the dog

go to the park

clean

draw pictures

dance

[Nazsmum]

I don't know if anyone metioned this.....butterfly garden