So, is anyone else trying to go TV-free?

[LeftField]

I liked Calidris' thread a lot. Now I'm thinking...Does anyone want to get together to do a support thread for going TV free? I hope this is the right forum.

I'm finding that what I find acceptable on TV for kids is less and less. I hate the emphasis on school and how much fun "school" is. I hate all the episodes that seem to revolve around food. I hate the values that are taught, and the "bad" behaviors and one-liners (e.g. "that's not fair!!") that are being taught to my oldest. I hate all the episodes that seem to focus on scary things: monsters in closets, fears of the dark, "bad guys", dark themes that freak my ds1 out. I hate how the shows themselves are one giant commercial. I hate how my son has been begging for a hideously ugly, tacky, ugly and non-cuddly Boobah doll that he is afraid of, simply because it's from a show that he likes. I hate how PBS has taught my vegetarian son the Chik-FilA logo and that they sell chicken. I hate how the shows make up stupid stuff, like cookie-eating, nest-building butterflies on Dora.

I'm feeling negative now, because I just turned Mr. Rogers off, because the puppets were talking about how it feels to DIE, a concept that has not yet occurred to my highly sensitive son. Yes, Lady Evelyn and Henrietta Cat were totally talking about growing old and dying, and what it must feel like to die. I can't freaking believe it! It was like the one show that I found acceptable and now they're doing heavy philosophical subjects that have not yet crossed my preschooler's mind.

I've just had it. I want it off. I only use TV as a way of preparing lunch when nobody will leave me alone. I want it off. I want all of it off. I still feel intimidated by turning it all off, because I've come to rely on it as a way of getting 10 minutes to myself to do certain things (e.g. cooking, ironing). I really feel it's waste of time and that I just don't agree with what's being planted in their heads.

Is anyone else with me?

[Vermillion]

I'm feeling negative now, because I just turned Mr. Rogers off, because the puppets were talking about how it feels to DIE, a concept that has not yet occurred to my highly sensitive son. Yes, Lady Evelyn and Henrietta Cat were totally talking about growing old and dying, and what it must feel like to die. I can't freaking believe it! It was like the one show that I found acceptable and now they're doing heavy philosophical subjects that have not yet crossed my preschooler's mind.

Uh, Yikes! My son is 3 and we have not discussed death yet and I don’t really think a TV show is the best way to approach the subject. I stopped letting DS watch Mr. Rodgers when they had the flu shot episode. I don’t like having propaganda pushed on him, especially through lighthearted kids shows.

Anyway, we have been mostly TV free since the beginning March. We still enjoy having “movie dates” and the occasionally video but we’re not doing TV shows anymore.

I feel much better with it and my DS doesn’t mind at all. He doesn’t even ask to watch anymore.

[mommyofshmoo]

I've been thinking of trying to go tv free- or at least cut down a lot. I can't really do it with dh around because he is not all that supportive of the idea. He sometimes thinks dd watches too much but I doubt he'd take an active role in changing it, or want to deal with the inevitable tantrums.

The other problem we have is that dh and I watch tv in the evenings- probably dh "needs" it more than me, but I have two shows I'm very into. Basically 7:30 or 8 pm roles around and the TV gets turned on. Dd usually doesn't go to sleep till more like 9- so I don't know if dh would be interested in curtailing our tv watching till only after dd is asleep.

The only think I'd probably still let her watch is Dora. Maybe just one or two episodes of Dora in the evening would be a good approach for us.

Dh will be out of town for two weeks pretty soon. I'm thinking of trying to cut down then. The only problem is that I'll have to deal with the post-tv fall out on my own when dd is already feeling crummy and lonely.

It's hard. I like having time to myself and to get stuff done while dd watches but sometimes TV does seem to make her more grumpy, which means once it's off she's less fun to be around.

I think we should start a support group.

[ebethmom]

I've been thinking about a TV-free household for awhile. And I'm attracted and repelled by the notion! We all watch too much TV, and I'm worried about the long-term effects on my kids.

But right now it keeps ds occupied while dd nurses to sleep.

We're moving in a month or so. I'd like to ditch the satelite! I don't think dh will go for it. He'll claim Atlanta Braves withdrawal. Maybe he'll go for the savings. I think he pays $70+ for the satelite now. I think he should pay that $70 into an account, and I'll add another $30. We'll find something exciting to save for - maybe a trip.

We have DVR now, so ds has hours and hours of taped shows. I'd like to transfer his favorites to DVD. That way he can have some favorites to transition into less TV.

We ARE putting the TV in the basement of the new house. I know I'll be far less likely to watch if it's in a dark, windowless room. And ds doesn't like to be too far from the action, so we can find fun things to do upstairs and outside.

Yes - I think we need a support group!

[mommyofshmoo]

Hey ebethmom,

One problem is that the TV is in the center of our living room, which ajoins the kitchen, and where we spend most of our time.

I'd love to have a separate TV room but that's the big thing dh won't go for. In order to do this we'd have to either drastically change our guest room or putit in our bedroom. Honestly the bedroom is a better option, but I can see why dh won't do that.

As it is, sitting in the center of the living room it begs to be turned on.

It's also tough because I know I'll go back to the TV in times of stress and I don't want to feel like a failure. -Stupid reasoning I know!

[Rainbow Brite]

I like the idea of TV free- but dh not so much. Dd is only 9 months and he's agreed to only watch tv when she's in bed. But I don't like that it's in the livingroom- I'd rather have some small room somewhere else so that it isn't in your face all the time. I was down to watching 1 show a week- third watch. Just got into it last year. Never knew the series was even over till I watched the finale. I was mad I told dh it's the perfect time to go TV free since we lost our show :LOL But now he likes CSI so we'll see

[PM]

Yikes! Wrong thread.

[RedWine]

We have a TV, but we are basically TV-free. The only show we watch is CBS's Sunday Morning. That's it. Dd will never get any TV whatsoever if I can help it, and as soon after the final season of The Sopranos is over : , I'll ask dh if we can just get rid of it all altogether.

I am 100% against my chidlren watching TV. It's a complete waste of time. Not to mention the various research implicatin TV in all kinds of ills.

Congrats on your decision! I think you'll find that once you've gotten used to no or very little TV, you won't go back to it.

[Llyra]

We've been TV-free here for four years. I found the only way to do it, and stick to it, was to get rid of the TV completely. Otherwise, the temptation was always hanging around. That's how I plan to handle the issue with my DD when she's older-- I won't forbid TV watching, I just won't have a TV in the house.

Going TV-free was the best thing that ever happened to my life and my relationship. It's unbelievable how much time there is for more important things.

[celrae]

I'll join the support group. Dh is on board, the fincial argument sold him. Summer is a great time to make the transition.

[Calidris]

Originally Posted by LeftField

I liked Calidris' thread a lot. Now I'm thinking...Does anyone want to get together to do a support thread for going TV free? I hope this is the right forum.

Hey look, I get a spinoff thread!! now I feel like one of the cool kids

but seriously, I'd love to join, it's not easy to keep it up, especially when dd is being demanding, you have things to do and you know a push of a button and you could have peace. Lately she has been asking for the tv (trying to switch it on) at least once a day, I begin to wonder if it's the Pampers (they have SS characters on them and she has been looking at them carefully lately). [yes, I wish I could cloth diaper too!!!]
DP has been supportive, but he wouldn't go for ditching the tv all together, he still watches a bit at night when dd and I are in bed - and I just accidentally paid cable for 2 months in advance!
But I really think I have seen a huge difference in dd, she is in the middle of a verbal explosion, and she seems to be doing a lot more pretend play (of course she is 15 months old so it could all be coincidence) but it is noteworthy.

[Calidris]

ok, no longer cool, I killed my spinoff *slinking bsck to thread killers tribe now*

but I could use some support, I have a sick baby, who is too congested to nurse, and miserable and needs to be held constantly (but won't be slung) and it would be so easy to just put on the tv and park her infront of it ......
ahh, but I won't, she'll be better eventually *she says hopefully*

[mommyofshmoo]

Hey Caladris-

You could get a computer video-camera like we do and set up a video chat with another toddler for your older child!

Obviously I'm just kidding.... sort of....

We just had a funny thing this morning where we did "ichat" with a friend with a toddler. Dd and their little girl played for like half an hour over the computer.

Virtual playdates? I never would have thunk it!

Obviously, many people think that computer time is just as bad as tv time for kids....

[Calidris]

: Actually, my sick baby is my toddler, when she's sick she's like a little infant again
yea, dp is like that about the computer, he thinks I should cut back my online time if he cuts back his tv (fair enough I guess)

[mommyofshmoo]

Originally Posted by Calidris

: Actually, my sick baby is my toddler, when she's sick she's like a little infant again
yea, dp is like that about the computer, he thinks I should cut back my online time if he cuts back his tv (fair enough I guess)

I could avoid TV (other than my 2 shows per week) but there's no way I could give up my computer. I do work online, so I have sme excuse, but I am online a lot of other time too.

I'm pretty internet-addicted. Hey- an idea for another support group! (Except for the fast that it would be an online support group. Haha.)

[BabyBumblebee]

This thread's not dead....it was just sleeping!

I would be interested in 'signing' up too....I know that I have been watching waaaaaay to much tv during the day when dd is nursing....just so that I don't feel alone. I think dh and I would still like to watch some tv in the evenings after dd is asleep....and I am addicted to the Food network - gotta have my cooking shows

Any room for me?

[mommyofshmoo]

So yesterday and today I cut WAY back on my internet time and as a result it' been easy to keep dd off the TV. My house is cleaner too!

[K&JsMaMa]

I'm in.

We have been tv-free (by not turning it on) for three days now. Today is day number 4. They haven't even asked for it.

I would love to completely get the tv out of the house but dh is sooooo
resistant. He just has this attachment to the idea of tv. It's funny, all he does during his down time is read, so I don't see the big problem with it. :

We are trying to buy a house. Maybe I'll show him how much we could save toward the house if we dumped dish.

[mommyofshmoo]

Yesterday dd watched 1 show of Dora at night and maybe half a show in the morning.

That's pretty big for us.

I think I'm going to try to hold the line at 1 show in the am (shower and cleaning time) and 1 in the pm (after dinner, before bath.)

I think dd's mood has been better since cutting back. I need to hold the line at the lower level for a while before going cold turkey, mainly because dh will be away for 2.5 weeks!!!!! soon and I can't do without the "help."

[ebethmom]

Dh is NOT on board with the no TV idea. It's his escape. I mentioned the $70 savings, and he told me that our satelite is included in the utilities at our new church (so they pay for it).

That was my only selling point for him. He does agree that ds watches too much TV, but he says "just turn it off." He says, but he rarely ever DOES.

So I guess I'll just have to make the TV area as unattractive/uncomfortable as I can! In the basement, with ancient dining room chairs to sit in. They're known as "the butt hugger" chairs. The leather seats have caved in.

I still think that if we could get through two or three months without TV, we could rid ourselves of the habit. From high school through grad school, I played at summer music festivals. After 6-8 weeks of no TV, I had no interest in it. For awhile. Then the Fall shows would suck me back in. But I liked that TV-free feeling.