It’s almost here. On Monday, April 23rd, we will turn off our TV and leave it off until the completion of Sunday, April 29th. Can we do it? Can we live a whole week without our TV? What about you? Do you think you can? Mom2One commented in my last TV Turn-Off post that her 5 year old wouldn’t stand for it. I’ll admit, even though we’ve been talking about it and attempting to prepare him for it, our B is not going to be happy the first time we say “no” when he asks to watch something. TV is a pretty ingrained habit around here.
But, there’s lots of stuff our kids don’t like that we enforce because it’s what we believe is best for them. I’m willing to endure the fit that is likely to ensue. I’ll have ear plugs at the ready. 🙂 Yeah, it won’t be pretty. But, as with other things that fits are thrown over, once we get past the fit, it will be accepted. Then we can proceed to fun times and cherished memories. I believe it will be worth that initial difficulty for all of us to learn that we can get along without the “boob tube.” Shoot, we might decide we like life better without it. Well, maybe with less of it. 🙂
So, being the addicted blogger that I am. I’m participating in the Mom Unplugged blogger challenge. See the graphic link in the sidebar. In light of my OBD, I’m seriously considering taking a blog break in addition to the TV. We’ll see. 🙂 If I do, I’ll blog about our TV free week at the end. So, stay tuned.
Here are some ideas I’ve come up with for our family to enjoy while not watching TV. Feel free to add your own ideas in the comment section.
- Well, there are three times a day that we have to eat. At least one of those each day we can all do together. Yeah, cook dinner together! So, I’ll be planning a menu of stuff that B can help with.
- Mother’s Day is coming up. B and I can make J and all the grandmas their cards with plenty of time to get them in the mail on time. What a concept!
- Go to the library. We love the library. We’ll go early in the week and get a stack of books and some stories on tape or CD. B loves to listen to stories, anyway. That might be a good substitute during his afternoon veg time. hmmmmm.
- Play out doors. Tag or anything with a ball is good.
- Ride bikes.
- Walk the dog.
- Gardening. Maybe I’ll take care of those pots of dead plants on the front porch. Yeah, I let them go a little too long without water, in the desert.
- Read! B will have a stack of books from the library along with his favorites at home. I always have a stack of books I’m trying to read.
- Get this, instead of turning on the TV in the evening, after dinner, the whole family can gather around a book! Pick a favorite or new story and read it together. Anyone want to recommend a good book a whole family might enjoy?
- Play games! We have various types of games in the closet that are rarely ever pulled out. While G’s not watching TV and I’m not glued to the computer, we can play a game. And maybe talk, even.
- Get creative. Write a story, draw or paint a picture, sculpt something out of clay . . .
Can I still TiVo? LOL That is pretty much all I do anyways 🙂
I suppose if you can save programs to the end of the week. I’m not sure how TiVo works. That’s cool.
We fasted from the TV for a week and you can do it!!!!! You may be surprised that you do not have the same thirst for it as you did before you turned it off. Good luck and enjoy the time together.
Narnia is always a good read!
I did a year and a half without TV once, without any media actually…it was clarifying, like a monk taking a vow of silence. I’d recommend it to anyone!
perhaps another activity could be something creative like painting or some other crafty thing you could think up!
I definitely have all the symptoms of OBD (glad to know that there is a name for it and that I am not alone). One of my goals for next week is to spend less time online (since we have no TV)! Thanks for a great post with some really good ideas. I hope it goes well for you and your family. I will be eager to hear your report! Thanks again for joining us for the TV Turn-Off Week Blog Challenge!
This is great! You are absolutely right, after the first few fits they get used to the idea and the creativity starts to flow. Hold fast and you will see the rewards! I found card games, board games, extra read alouds and extra time outdoors all really wonderful gifts of TV turn off.
OK I am in. I posted about it here.
I was very concerned about how TV and DVD’s had become my babysitting crutch in the evenings. For all of you parents out there that are searching for something to occupy the kids (not “screen” related) there is a wonderful new construction toy called Toobeez. We just bought a box a few weeks ago but didn’t get a chance to use them until now.
THE KIDS LOVE THEM! We unofficially started to turn off the tv on Friday and I don’t think they’ve noticed! I highly recomend this toy to every parent out there for a creative alternative to computers, video games and cartoons. Hopefully we will continue this trend and have a little more quality family time together.
I would NOT have a problem living without the t.v.
Now, living without the ‘puter? No way!! 🙄