I shut my TV Off and IT'S A MIRACLE!

1088 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by CTMOMOF2, Jul 6, 2004

CTMOMOF2

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2004

OK, i know most of you don't condone any television, and i've been on these threads in the past stating that i personally was a TV junkie and that my TV is on all day, that my kids watch Noggin, but not really watching as much as its on in the background, etc.... On the same token, my son 3 3/4, quite spirited, often times have to have yelling matches with him, behavior issues, followoing the rules issues, major eating issues (basically never eats anything), etc...

Well, truth be told, i've taken your advice!! In the beginning of June, We had a very bad couple of days of major behavior issues, to the point of embarrasment with playdates, and deliberate breaking of rules, etc... so that was it, he was grounded from TV for a week. Would you believe that in the first day, his behavior changed dramatically, so i thought, this must be a fluke! Then day two, still a shining star! then day three, again a great day, and a couple of days after that, he bagain POOPING ON THE POTTY! Something we've been struggling with for almost a year, then a real miracle, he started eating vegatables!!!!!!! and other foods he never would look at before! We've had the TV off by day for almost a month now, and i truly have a new little boy!! I do very little yelling anymore (not that that was a good way to handle things, but I always felt at my witts end), he is extreamly cooperative, we haven't had any diapers since June 11th, he can go on his own, today he ate asparagus and chicken, two of his most HATED foods!

I sometimes cannot believe that watching television could have any affect on kids that way, but i have seen living proof!! And for other "devil's advocates" out there, i've given him 1/2 hour of TV as a treat for pooping and stuff, and i can already see the behavior changes immediately afterwards!! So, now, it has to be a real special occasion to turn it on for him! Funny though, i don't notice any behavior problems if we go to the movies... but I also notice problems when he's been playing Gameboy, or watching Gameboy movies... so he's off of that too!!!

Just thought i'd share!

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MomInFlux

· #2 · Jun 30, 2004

Way to go mama! It's great to read stories like yours - it gives me hope.

I work at home full-time and my DH is also home with the kids - and he is awful about the TV being on a LOT. This morning DH and DS came downstairs to a note on the TV that read "Hi Guys! I was on all day yesterday and I'm just exhausted! Why don't you have a nice bowl of oatmeal and let me sleep in? Sincerely, the TV". My 3yo DS was very impressed that the TV left a note, and the TV stayed off all day. If we can just keep it going....

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happyday8598

· #3 · Jun 30, 2004

We just donated our television 4 days ago, so I'm feeling your feelings!!

Have you noticed a difference in YOUR behavior?

Cudos to you!!

PikkuMyy

· #4 · Jun 30, 2004

3

COngratulations! That is so exciting!!!!

I was raised without a television (we didn't even own one) and that was one of the best parenting decisions my parents ever made. I spent so much time doing other things - making up games, playing in the garden, reading books, going to the park - I feel my mind developed so much more than it would have had I sat around the boob tube. And we did get a TV when I was 13 and when I got home from school (alone) I would sit watching whatever crap came on. What a waste of time! I didn't have one for a while. Now DH and I have one but only to watch videos or DVDs. We don't have cable or an antenna and will not be getting it when we have kids.

Good for you!

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CTMOMOF2

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 30, 2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyday8598
Have you noticed a difference in YOUR behavior?

Well, Like I said, i've done far less yelling... AND, I've lost 4 1/2 pounds in the past 2 weeks!!! So, maybe the additional floorplay and outings have helped in that department as well!!

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Rhonwyn

· #6 · Jun 30, 2004

We started Waldorf school when my son was 4 and they requested we turn off the TV. My son had never watched much TV but it was hard to turn off the set. We did it and it was amazing! After 2 weeks, he never asked for it again. He hardly ever gets bored. Good luck and I am glad that you have found it to be so helpful.!

wendinbill

· #7 · Jun 30, 2004

I think maybe we need to try this!! I can't tell you how often I walk into the living room, to find the TV blasting and nobody in there!! Then I turn it off & he says "Why did you turn it off?" I only let him watch certain things...but I think it needs to go during the day all-together! Thanks!!

sohj

· #8 · Jul 3, 2004

2

Congratulations!!!!

Yours truly,

the TV Vigilante.

(By the way, I just have to say that despite my vehement decrying of the television and collecting of anti-TV tales, I have never heard as dramatic a story as yours!)

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napless

· #9 · Jul 3, 2004

Hooray for you!!!!!

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Skim

· #10 · Jul 4, 2004

Amazing! I'm so glad you shared your story here.

Woo hoo!!!

I believe it, totally.

Monica

· #11 · Jul 5, 2004

I don't want to hijack - but

ooh ooh, can I share too! We turned our TV off on June 4th. My 4 year old too was way out of control and watching way way way too much TV. We had tried a few TV free days here and there and had noticed a dramatically different kid in the evenings. So now we are doing the whole summer TV free (ok we are watching videos together some evenings) In general my son is more cooperative, not has hyper and wound up at the end of the day, he is eating meals at the table (instead of in front of the TV) beds are getting made, everybody is dressed before noon, he has mastered Monopoly Jr. Scrabble Jr., Sorry, and Othello AND he spends a lot of time teaching dd (2 yrs) how to do things (puzzles, legos, etc). At first it was really hard because ds can NOT entertain himself. He has zero imagination and prefers TV and computer games to regular playing. I spent the first 2 weeks really playing with and entertaining my kids, trying to teach ds how to do it himself. Now 4 weeks out, my kids can find all kinds of things to do on their own, right now they are launching hotwheels off of one of those pop up baby toys with all the little levers and dials. Thought it up all on their own and they are laughing hysterically. Ds still asks daily if he can watch TV, but is agreeable to almost anything I suggest (usually playdoh - fingerpainting or a board game) He really misses Magic School bus and Cyberchase and I am considering taping those for him starting in the fall, but for the summer we have so much exploring and other fun stuff to do.

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ShannonCC

· #12 · Jul 5, 2004

Congrats on your awesome results! Wow, that does sound miraculous :LOL Ok, our results weren't as dramatic as yours, but we also turned off our tv and noticed a difference right away. It's CALMER around here. I don't know if dd is calmer or if I'm calmer and so I'm reacting better to her, but who cares? Life is better that's what's important

It's been about a month and a half for us. I don't want to turn it back on anytime soon. DD is not as wired, I am happier without the constant noise, dh is spending more time interacting with the kids since he can no longer just turn on a video for them - it's all good!

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tessamami

· #13 · Jul 5, 2004

But we've been TV free for years, now. I love being TV free, but I load up on "Sex in the City" DVDs and cartoons for DD. We'll go a week without, and then an entire week of movies. Love movies, though and I avoid a lot of commercials and neo conservative news that way.

CTMOMOF2

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 5, 2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monica
I don't want to hijack - but

ooh ooh, can I share too! We turned our TV off on June 4th. My 4 year old too was way out of control and watching way way way too much TV. We had tried a few TV free days here and there and had noticed a dramatically different kid in the evenings. So now we are doing the whole summer TV free (ok we are watching videos together some evenings) In general my son is more cooperative, not has hyper and wound up at the end of the day, he is eating meals at the table (instead of in front of the TV) beds are getting made, everybody is dressed before noon, he has mastered Monopoly Jr. Scrabble Jr., Sorry, and Othello AND he spends a lot of time teaching dd (2 yrs) how to do things (puzzles, legos, etc). At first it was really hard because ds can NOT entertain himself. He has zero imagination and prefers TV and computer games to regular playing. I spent the first 2 weeks really playing with and entertaining my kids, trying to teach ds how to do it himself. Now 4 weeks out, my kids can find all kinds of things to do on their own, right now they are launching hotwheels off of one of those pop up baby toys with all the little levers and dials. Thought it up all on their own and they are laughing hysterically. Ds still asks daily if he can watch TV, but is agreeable to almost anything I suggest (usually playdoh - fingerpainting or a board game) He really misses Magic School bus and Cyberchase and I am considering taping those for him starting in the fall, but for the summer we have so much exploring and other fun stuff to do.

This is AWESOME! It is funny, I told ds that TV was "melting his brain" and so now when someone asks why he doesn't watch TV, he answers "my brain was melting" hahahaha

BTW - Hijack away... i'd love to hear other stories like this one!!

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Monica

· #15 · Jul 6, 2004

ha ha ha Tracey - we say, "it is turning our brains to mush - and we don't want mushy brains!"

CTMOMOF2

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 6, 2004

haha, we say that too!!

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