Cutting off the Cable, How to tell him?

I would tell him something like "We've decided to cancel the cable service. We don't think the extra channels were a good idea. It'll be nice and warm out soon and we'll be spending a lot of time outside." I'd try to spin it positively instead of focusing on the negative.

I would just flat out tell him. Or, just wait until he notices that it's off and say nonchalantly like, " oh yeah, we cancelled it," or something like that. Don't make it a big deal.

Honestly, and I've had this problem with my kids, we turn it off and tell them no. We havent' had to cut our cable or go passive on it, we flat out told them that due to their behavior their TV time was being cut down and they would have to earn it back with good attitudes and by helping out extra around the house.

In a very young child (age 2-3) I'd be OK with just shutting off and explaining when it's noticed. However, a 7 year old deserves some warning/explaination. I know my 4 yo would be confused and asking a million questions about it. I just think giving several warnings and talks about it is the gentle thing to do. I'd start discussing it during the last month and giving reminders every few days about what to expect once it's gone. It's kinda like when my kids are playing at the park. . it never goes over well when I just swoop in and say "We're going home NOW!". I get much more cooperation when I count down ". . in 10 minutes", ". . .in 5 minutes", etc.

I'd just be like, "Oh. Huh. It's broken. Wanna come do XYZ?"

My stepkids are coming back to visit for the summer and I am SO GLAD we don't get Nick, Noggin, Disney, the N, and Cartoon Network anymore!!! IF I NEVER HAVE TO WATCH SPONGEBOB AGAIN, IT WILL BE TOO SOON.

I don't care how much they complain, they can go play with rocks in the dirt like normal eight year olds.

~Rose

We don't have tv but we do use our computers to watch a few things. That way we keep the advertisements to a minimum. Sometimes we'll find ourselves relying on it for entertainment too much and we'll just tell the kids "We think the family is watching too many shows right now and it has not been good for us. We're going to take a break and limit it a bit more since we think it will be healthier and better for the family to find other things to do."

However, if it makes you feel any better, our 7 yo dd is often rude and disrespectful and chooses to antagonize her family when she's bored. Some days she's pretty obnoxious. In between, she's an absolute joy but those other times leave me questioning my parenting skills a lot. So, anyway, cutting out the cable certainly won't hurt but perhaps the behavior is common at this age. We can hope, and look forward to them growing out of it right?

I have teenagers and we're thinking of doing the same thing. Not because they watch too much TV, but because it's just a way to save a few dollars.

Unfortunately, we have a contract with Verizon FIOS until November or so, so we'll have to wait or pay a huge cancellation fee.

I'm thinking it might not go over too well at first, until I remind them that most of what they watch can be seen online or gotten through Netflix.

Tv is bad when the kid makes it a life. I think I'd tell him why he doesn't have cable anymore.

I would just say "Dad and I have decided that having cable isn't the best thing for our family right now so we are having it shut off, I know you really like to watch shows but now we will have more time to do x,y,z things." Also, are you in a financial position where you could take the money you were spending on cable and use it for a fun family outing every month or put towards a more positive hobby for DS?

Are you willing to lose Cable? Or is it just the childs behavior? I ask because there are things *I* like about cable that i am not willing to lose because of the kids behavior, however, I have flat out told my kids they are NOT watching tv because of their behavior and since they are not the ones who pay for it, they are NOT the ones who decide what is on TV. I control it all and during the week, my kids (well the two younger ones) don't watch tv at all. On the weekends, they are So busy that they don't watch more then an hour. i am sure once summer gets here thy will watch more (it is over 110 here in the summer) but right now it is too nice outside.

My oldest watches tv with me. What ever I watch. Which usually is just the network stations, but I have DVR and I do like animal planet and some of the cable stations.