TV Free
We don’t own a television. We had one when we lived in PA, but we didn’t have cable or even basic, so most of what we watched we streamed online (usually on hulu). When we made the decision to move to Chicago, we also decided that we were going to sell our TV. Neither Josh nor I want Jude to spend his days watching cartoons. Plus, if there was a television show we wanted to watch, we could likely watch it online, and if we wanted to watch a movie, we could use our laptop’s DVD player.
All was going well. Then, Jude and I got sick. He was miserable and cranky; I was tired and on edge. I went over to YouTube and found some short VeggieTales
So, I’m done.
Today, as soon as I hit ‘publish’ on this post, the laptop is getting hidden away in my closet. I’ll bring it back out tonight when Jude goes to sleep, but until then, it has to remain out of sight. It’s going to be 70freakingdegrees outside today. We don’t need to waste our time inside watching a movie for the eleventy-billionth time. It’s simply unnecessary.
So, wish me luck, people of the internets. Hopefully Jude and I will be able to kick the TV habit more easily than I was (un)able to kick my coffee addiction. Cross your fingers.
Good luck today! I hope the morning went well. I’m off to find some lunch.
We went through the same struggle!!!
But Signing Time was our undoing. It started with youtube…. oh the addiction! And we every once in a while say: “no more!” for a while because we become dependent and Noah becomes addicted….
Good luck with your youtube hiatus.
You can do it!!!!! It might be hard at first, but I think you’ll be happy you made this decision.
The morning-the whole day!-went really well, love. Thanks for checking in.
Sarah-thanks for the luck. Today ended up being really easy. I think the 70 degree weather had something to do with it.
Thanks for the encouragement, Aimee. Being TV Free was the original plan/goal. I’m sure we’ll get there. I *hope* we’ll get there.
I respect your resoluteness.
Online TV has got me. First it was old Sesame Street clips on YouTube, and then I discovered free video podcasts for kids (and I have no apologies for the They Might Be Giants one – it’s the bomb-diggity!). If Ian offered to chuck both TVs I wouldn’t bat an eyelash, but the Mac isn’t going anywhere.
I know it’s junk food for the brain, but I feel like it’s more like chocolate-covered mini fiber bars than straight up Butterfinger. They’re short, age-appropriate and commercials are very limited. I frequently pipe in and participate in whatever is going on onscreen, so it’s at least a little interactive.
It is easy to let it slide into an hour of minimally supervised screen watching, though. I’ve totally done that, then felt guilty, both for doing it, and for enjoying the free time. I try to follow it up with reading together or craft time, to help balance it out.
Good luck as you break away from The Signal. I was gonna say the Tube, but it hasn’t been the tube for a while, has it?
Atena, I totally agree with the “[dark] chocolate-covered mini fiber bars” sentiment. My problem is that with Jude, I can’t limit it to 15 or 20 or 30 minutes of tv/video watching. Hell, I can’t get away with letting him watch Jonah just once a day… he demands to watch it over and over again, and honestly, I don’t have it in me to fight with him/deal with the whining. It’s easier to just hide the Mac in the closet. If it’s hidden and he asks to “see,” I can distract him with milkies or books. If he has caught sight of the laptop, however, all bets are off.
And really, I’m not anti-tv. It’s just that, well, he’s not even two yet. He doesn’t need to zone out in front of the laptop for hours at a time. He needs to be playing and exploring and creating.
At least, that’s what I’m telling myself today. Ask me again in a week. (=
Thanks for the luck.
Hey – I say stand firm in your convictions. Jude is younger than Stella, and I am completely down with erring on the side of caution when they are so young, especially when it comes to mass media. I’d get a little twinge when Stella would watch TV at his age and I could see her eyes glaze over in front of the flashing screen. There’s always better stuff to do. Just don’t forget to give yourself an occasional break. : )