The latest on a tv-free subforum? - Page 2

[twogreencars]

We'd find a TV free forum helpful, too

[laketahoemama]

I know I am desperately hoping to see a TV-Free subforum to seek out support and discuss the issues we face raising our children tv-free.

[LittleYellow]

Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher

I've had a look at your very long and interesting thread in FYT and am reviewing the subforum request with the moderators and administrators. I would like some clarification before we commit to a subforum placement.

What is the main intent for the forum?

In case you have not already seen the original TV-Free subforum thread in Q&S it also has a lot of comments on intent for the forum. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=745207

[mjdmom]

I would LOVE to see a TV free sub-forum. Hope it happens.

[saimeiyu]

For me a TV-free forum would be for:

1) support for a mass-media free or lite lifestyle
2) Discussions on things like how to explain to DH why I really feel the need to protect my daughter (and other future children) from the damaging effects of mass media without making him feel like I'm being paranoid and our kids will be freaks because HE watched TV for AGES and he's mostly ok
and 3) Ideas for what to do besides watch DVDs, stare at each other, and pick our noses...

So I guess it would be mostly support with a smidgen about how TV affects little people. And young women/girls.

[MamaPam]

We have been toying with idea of going tv-free and would find a sub-forum helpful.
Here are some things I'd hope to get out of/topics a tv-free sub-forum:
General Support
Dealing w/ Challenges to be TV Free as adults, for the kids etc.
Ill Effects of tv and mass media
Carefully choosing what media to expose our kids to
Issues being TV free in a society that spends a lot of time in front of one
A place where your not thought to just be crazy

[squeekybuddha]

newbie for tv-free forum

I realize I'm new around here, but my husband & I are raising our son TV-free and I would love to have a place to discuss the issues we run into with friends and family regarding our choice. Not so much a "gripe" venue, but an area where I will be able to constructively discuss our decision and find ways to help others see why we do what we do (marketing to children and "empty calorie" shows).

[homefrontgirl]

I would love to see a TV-free forum too.

[beansricerevolt]

Another one for a Television free forum

[Arwyn]

Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher

What is the main intent for the forum? Is it to discuss the hows and whys and the issues surrounding going and being tv-free (dealing with family and friends, etc.), the negative effects of tv, media and such to provide support and educate one another and others?

Or is it mainly for discussion of ideas for activities for different age groups and family fun stuff as a resource for families who do not watch tv and others who do) and are looking for fun activities?

What I would like to see is this:

A place for those who are TV-free, trying to get TV-free, or wondering about TV-freedom or TV reduction. It would be inclusive of everyone actively interested in reducing or removing TV from their or their children's lives, no matter where they are in their journey or their eventual goal; for those who own no TV and rent no movies, those who have put away the TV while their children are young, and those who watch TV or movies while their children are asleep or away.

Topics covered in this forum would include research and theories on why TV may be harmful, including the racism and sexism pervasive in TV, the culture of consumerism perpetuated by TV, the effects of screen time on developing eyes and brains, the long-term correlations between TV viewing and poor outcome, and to a lesser extent the effects of related media (video games, cinema, computer time, etc).

We would talk about why we went TV free, how we did or are doing it, the frictions caused by some family members wanting TV-freedom and others not, the awkwardness of being TV-free in a TV-saturated culture, and how to handle interactions with TV when in non-TV-free environments.

It would be a place for support and information for those exploring or working toward TV-freedom, offering "been there, done that" advice, trading tips and tricks on weaning or going cold turkey off TV. It would be a place for TV addicts () to discuss being TV-free, TV watchers to discuss raising TV-free children, and TV-free-as-children adults to offer their observations and recollections about growing up TV-free.

It would, of course, NOT be a place to bash others for their parenting or lifestyle choices, to insult those who use TV, or to argue over whether absolute TV freedom or TV-free in childhood only is "better". It would discuss TV-replacement activities and ideas only peripherally, in an overall discussion and support about going TV-free.

Currently, we have these discussions all over MDC, in bits and pieces, in fits and starts, but without a central place to find like-minded people, we run into both the problem of knowing where to look and where to post, and of having TV-users become affronted and insulted, believing that we are denigrating their parenting choices, rather than seeking support for our own.

TV-freedom is certainly not a requirement of being attached to one's children, nor is it an essential part of living naturally and treading lightly on this earth, but many of us find it an important part of how we work toward both these ideals, and would like a place to gather and talk about it.

Thank you for listening.

[sunnysandiegan]

Arwyn has stated everything I could wish for so elegantly! Thank you for such a thoughtful and well-written request.

I am new to MDC and am looking for lots of new ideas to supplement things my family has already been doing and go the next step where/when we are ready. We've been raising our DD without TV and I don't know anyone else in my circle of friends (IRL or online) who does this. It would be really nice to be able to discuss this with other like-minded parents! Since I am new to MDC, I am still figuring out all the ins and outs. This is the largest online site where I am an active member. Having a specific place to read about this topic would sure be helpful.

Enjoy your day!

[Cynthia Mosher]

Alrighty! I think we have a pretty good idea of the focus desired. I'll review this with the administrators and let you know Wednesday.

[midwestmom]

I would like to see this forum too!

[LittleYellow]

Thanks Arwyn for saying what I intended to say, but much more elequently. I have been coming back and checking this thread to see if anyone else would chime in too on the direction of a TV-Free Forum.

Waiting for Wednesday

[Carlyle]

Wow...I would so spend time on a forum like what Arwyn described!!! ('cause MDC is my TV substitute I also think just having a sub-forum for this would publicize the issue, much like the EC forum publicizes the fact that it's an option even for families that don't do it (yet ).

[phathui5]

We could use a TV free subforum. My kids have watched more videos than I would like since I had baby #4 and while I think movies will always be a part of our lives, I want them to be an occasional thing, not practically every day.

[TomFred]

Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher

What is the main intent for the forum? Is it to discuss the hows and whys and the issues surrounding going and being tv-free (dealing with family and friends, etc.), the negative effects of tv, media and such to provide support and educate one another and others?

Or is it mainly for discussion of ideas for activities for different age groups and family fun stuff as a resource for families who do not watch tv and others who do) and are looking for fun activities?

Your answer would determine the need for and general forum category location of a subforum/forum.

no difference to make a choice between them, otherwise i think it's boring and lacking substance if only focus on one side.

this is only my thoughts

[jadekat]

I would love to seea TV free subforum. DH and I are trying to reduce our children's TV time.

[acannon]

Does getting shows/movies on the computer count as no-tv? There are little to no commercials and you control what's being watched.

[beansricerevolt]

Originally Posted by acannon

Does getting shows/movies on the computer count as no-tv? There are little to know commercials and you control what's being watched.

FWIW, we watch movies and play computer games