[Brisen]

Someone mentioned this book on a thread recently, but I completely forgot where it was. But I've read a few threads here about relying less on the tv, so I thought I would post here. I read this book when it was recommended, and I just wanted to second it. I enjoyed it, it helped me see my own childhood viewing in a new light, and it's motivating me to find alternatives to tv, especially when I know it's just me being lazy, not that I'm horribly sick and the kids are going stir crazy. It also had an interesting section about having free time and playing and the importance of hobbies and boredom to kids -- things that parents relied on to amuse kids before there was tv that are getting pushed out by the more convenient way to amuse them. The importance of letting your family work through tough/trying times, like dinner prep or breakfast, instead of turning on the tv to get some peace and quiet, was also outlined. The author argued that times like those help everyone to grow and define parents and children as a family.

I recommend this book, even if you aren't struggling with getting tv viewing under control.

 

[Ryoko]

That sounds interesting. Back in college I hated TV, never watched it at all! But since getting married and settling down, I admit I started watching way too much TV. Now with an 8 month old, I have way less time, but I'd like to have alternatives in mind for when Freddie is a little older and I am tempted to buy myself some time with the TV, KWIM?

 

[Brisen]

I just wanted to add a link here, to some online radio shows at homeschoolradioshows.com . There's a different one each week, you go to their site and download it. These are good to use like a book on tape.