This week is National Turn Off Your TV Week.
Turning off the television gives us a chance to think, read, create, and do. To connect with our families and engage in our communities. To turn off TV and turn on life.
A nice thought, but I don’t think I could make it. Well, maybe a few weekdays, since I don’t watch much TV during the week. Usually I can barely stay up 30 minutes later than the kids, which doesn’t leave much time for TV. But on a weekend!? We need at least a few shows on the Disney Channel, or a movie or two to help smooth over the rough spots.
I just did battle with a not-quite-three-year-old for 30 minutes, trying to get him to take a bath after no naps the entire weekend. Did I plop him in front of the TV for 25 minutes to watch Mickey Mouse afterwards? You bet. Was it the only time today he went without a tantrum for 25 minutes? You bet. It helps him transition to bed.
I know, I know. I’m a terrible parent. Whatever. For what it’s worth, I watched way more TV when I was a kid, and I think I turned out fine. And what I watched wasn’t nearly as educational as what they see. Remember Tom and Jerry? I showed it to my kids this weekend and they absolutely loved it. Seeing it now, it’s a little on the violent side. Not to mention the political incorrectness.
Needless to say, there will be no National TV Turn Off Week in my house.
I’m with you! No tv will be turned of this week here either! When I put something on the tv for my almost 3 yr old….I get to do dishes or laundry or even get on the computer for a few! And it’s the only time he is tantrum free! I was a Tom and Jerry fan and have turned it on for my older boys and changed the channel cause it was too violent for them! Mine would end up doing what they do to each other!
I say keep the tv on for some peace even if its only for 25 mins!
I use the TV and DVD player to “babysit” my two boys when I need housework to be done. I know…I know…I probably will be told to use other things to occupy them. Play-dough lasts maybe 20 minutes until a screaming match happens between the two. BUT…Backyardigans and Diego and Thomas keeps their attention. I know I have around 90 minutes to clean the house….yes 90 minutes! It can also be a lifesaver when I first come home from work and cook. I need about 30 minutes then. Oh, did I mention that it works great for potty training? I swear since my oldest has been watching Diego the past month…he has had only 2 accidents. He claims that Diego doesn’t like poop in his underwear!
We don’t have cable in the house, relying instead on Netflix DVDs for movie nights. During the school year we only have movie nights on Friday and Saturday, but during the week we watch the occasional documentary or classic sitcom. I’ll put in a Cosby Show or Brady Bunch just because everyone’s tired and it’s a good way to wind down and get ready for bed.
We’ll also rent stuff like Ice Road Truckers and Mythbusters.
We all love TV, just in moderation. Besides, it’s not the TV shows that do harm… it’s the commercials. Watching shows on DVD, I’ve become accustomed to not seeing them at all.
I don’t think that’ll happen at our house. If it wasn’t for episodes of Go Diego Go! we’d never get dinner prepared. Plus, I had to suffer through the writers strike and a long period of no original programming, so it’ll be nuts to miss new episodes of The Office.