Did you know April 20-26th is TV Turnoff Week? In our house we celebrate TV turnoff 365 days a year, but for many families this week is an opportunity to shut off the television and do something other than watch the screen.
Some fast television facts:
- Number of 30-second commercials seen in a year by an average child: 20,000
- Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 38.5
- Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television: 1,680
- Percentage of children ages 6-17 who have TV’s in their bedrooms: 50
- Percentage of day care centers that use TV during a typical day: 70
- Hours per year the average American youth spends in school: 900 hours
- Hours per year the average American youth watches television: 1500
- Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66
source: turnoffyourtv.com
When we decided to stop watching television several years ago it was an easy choice. We didn’t like the fact that our kids were being bombarded by commercials promoting sugary cereals, fast food, or cheapo made in China toys. We also didn’t like that fact that even if we were watching a “good” show inevitably a preview for an upcoming show (one that we would never allow our children to watch) could be seen during the commercial breaks. Not to mention it became harder and harder to find “good” shows. We decided to make our job as parents much easier and just quit watching television altogether.
To be honest, we still own a television. It is a twenty year old 19 inch dinosaur that serves us well for the occasional movie or educational video. We still enjoy family movie night once in a while and when our kids are sick sometimes they watch movies to pass the time.
Usually we are so busy we don’t have time for television. When the weather is nice I would much rather be outside (and let my very active boys run off their energy) than sit in front of the television. On dreary days I prefer books, games, crafts, and audio books. These types of activities encourage creativity and force my kids to interact with each other. It is easy to get along when everyone is looking in the same direction (at the television). It is much harder to get along when you are constantly interacting and being forced to share, cooperate, and talk. I want my children to be able to get along and play together, not be able to watch a movie together, that is easy.
So what is your opinion on television, love it, hate it, own it, live without it? Movies, cable, commercials? Are you willing to shut off your television for one week? Feel free to leave your opinion in the comment section, just keep it friendly and non-judgmental. What works for your family might not work for another.
Don’t know what to do without the television? Enter to win a P.E.P. kit filled with fun activities for your kids!
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
This post is linking to Real Life , Talk about Tuesday, and Tackle it Tuesday.
We own one, but it’s upstairs (with all the main living areas downstairs) so it’s purposely inconvenient. We don’t even have any real furniture in that room! When I host my weekly ladies Bible study, my hubby & daughter will go watch a cooking show, but other than that we seldom watch it. Like you, we do have an occasional movie night, but those are few & far between. There are just many more fun things to be doing than sitting in front of the TV.
We own 2 TV’s; one in the living room and one in our bedroom. The kids keep asking for one in their room and our answer is always, “No way!” Our family does enjoy watching TV, but we monitor what the kids watch. I agree, there aren’t too many things on that I want to watch. Situation comedies are a thing of the past and I miss them. The ABC Family network is a joke! Half of their shows have teens doing things they shouldn’t be doing. They are not family friendly programs! I used to love the History Channel, but now hardly any of their programs are actually about history. They have way too many shows about UFOs on that channel. I don’t think my family would handle no television very well, and I admit that when I’m really tired and feeling brain dead, I turn on the tube. It relaxes me when I’ve had a long day or week.
We have a TV – had to get a new one to use the DVD player my dad gave us for Christmas a few years ago- thanks, Dad!
Haven’t had cable in many years.
My kids never watched on Sunday through Thurs (school nights). Now that our youngest is 17 (and has straight A’s) we are not as strict, but honestly there isn’t much to watch. I think the last thing watched on broadcast TV at my house was “the Simpson’s” – weeks ago.
We do watch DVDs – have a Netflix membership at 2/month. I watch the least, really got out of the habit when kids were little and constantly interrupting or drowning out crucial (ha ha!) dialog.
(what will happen with the new digital stuff? dunno – we’ve done nothing to be ready for it)
It is easy to get along when everyone is looking in the same direction (at the television). It is much harder to get along when you are constantly interacting and being forced to share, cooperate, and talk. I want my children to be able to get along and play together, not be able to watch a movie together, that is easy.
I TOTALLY AGREE! My kiddos watch a bit more on the TV than it sounds like yours do, but it’s only movies that I have chosen to keep in our home. When I was having a difficult time at the end of my pregnancy and couldn’t tolerate the bickering (frequent or infrequent, didn’t matter), I put on more movies. Generally, it’s only once a day (which is a lot compared to yall, but not a lot compared to others.)
For a year we completely turned off the TV and I felt like it was a good experience. TV does allow me a sort of brain numbness that is pleasant when I’m having a difficult time slowing it down (like, all the time!). I feel it is the modern middle class “man’s” opiate. I certainly am not “drug” free.
But it’s nice to be and hear about those who are more than me!
I have to totally agree with you. Unfortunately my husband does not. It is a constant battle for me to keep the tv off. Some days are better than others. I agree with you about the commercials. Even if the show is appropriate, the commercials usually aren’t. I limit TV to no more than 1 30 minute show on PBS each day. But on days when my husband is home that flies out the window in favor of lots of sports. I will have to see if I can convince him of no TV all week, at least when the kids are up.
We have a tv and we watch – we watch hockey. And that is really it. Sometimes Hubby and I will watch the occasional show at night but otherwise the only reason we even have the tv is to watch Rangers games. We, unfortunately, will not be participating in tv turn off week. We never can. It is during the playoffs. Which are even more important than the regular season and while we may not watch every game there are two this week and we definitely will not miss both.
I do think tv does more harm than good and that is why we don’t watch anything but the hockey. I know, I know it is still tv but when your kid is doing everything he can to learn how to play the game and has sucha passion fo it…. Well, I caved.
We don’t even have a TV. If we watch anything, we watch news on the internet and DVDs on the computer. I really don’t ever want a TV, because I think my husband might get stuck watching it too often. Sometimes he spends all evening watching his favorite news commentators on the internet. Me, I could definitely live without it.
We’re another no TV household here too. We have one for occassional dvds or xbox games but those are rare.
I’ve never heard of the tv turn off week. Interesting idea! My husband and I have been married for almost 8 years and we’ve never had cable (and we don’t pick up any stations). I can’t imagine paying so much money just to have a bunch of garbage in my home!
We do watch movies, though. Usually on the weekends after the kids go to bed. Our children are limited in the movies they can watch during the day (typically one shorter one). I definitely have moments of desperation sometimes, though, when I will let them watch a couple of movies a day (usually when I’m sick or super busy).
It’s always nice to hear of other people who are “crazy” like us and can live without the tv on all day and night!
This was exactly what I needed to hear!! Since my family moved to a new house three weeks ago we have watched way too much TV! My husband and I have used the TV to keep the kiddos busy while we organize and unpack… Now we are paying for it. My normally good kids are having some less than attractive behavior and so this week we are turning off the TV!!!! Thanks for the motivation! Now I guess I should go and turn it off now, huh?
When we moved we left the tv in the box. It has been one of the best decisions we have made. No more of the kids bugging me to watch a show. Instead they enjoy making crafts which makes a mess of my house! But I would rather clean up that then have them be tv zombies.
We do check out movies from the library occasionally but that is the only interaction they have with the media and then I can completely control it and there are none of the commercials. And best of all those shows are free rather than having to pay for cable.
BTW… I found you about a week ago from another blog and I absolutely enjoy it. We are a single income family and I am really considering homeschooling. I just don’t know if I’m quite ready to be held to that kind of a schedule. But I do teach my kids tons at homes and thus my oldest (the only one in school) is insanely bored. Anyway, love your blog. Thanks!
Personally, my hubby & I don’t watch much TV. There are a couple shows we watch regularly, though. We’ve been watching a little more than usual lately… & that needs to change! I think we could go a week with no TV, if we can live without Celebrity Apprentice! lol
However, we can only watch TV now because we live on campus at our college–once we get a different place, if cable is not included we won’t have it. No reason to pay for it!
Twelve years ago, when I was a single mother to two teenage girls, our old TV broke. I came home from work and my oldest ran out of the house to greet me with GREAT excitement. “We get to buy a new TV, ours broke!”, she exclamed. I told her that TV is a want, not a need and we couldn’t afford one. “What do you do with all your extra money?” she asked. “What extra money?” said I. “The extra money from making us turn off the lights and stuff like that.” I couldn’t help myself, I laughed. I made her sit down with me and go over the household budget (I am known to friends and loved-ones as the Budget-Queen). We looked for “extra” money. She suggested we make a TV (loved that idea) or steal a TV (hated that idea). We did without a TV for four months. My oldest moped and complained most of the four months and my youngest did fine. We got a TV only because my oldest told my mom and dad I wanted one for my birthday! There is more to that story and I’ve writen too much as it is. I loved being without TV. Ironically, my oldest rarely watches TV as an adult and my youngest has hers on nearly all the time. They are both married and living in their own homes.
We have 2 tv’s down from 5. As they broke we did not replace them. I rarely watch tv but spend a lot of time on the computer. Our oldest son rarely watches tv but spends a lot of time playing video games.
We are planning on participating in the no tv week and also no video games or computer.
It will be interesting to see how people react and how it affects their behavior.
I’m ashamed to say this….we have 6 tvs. Yes you heard me right. We watch way too much tv. Our school does tv turn off wed-sat so we’re going to try that. I’d love to get rid of tv in our house but dh wouldn’t agree too that. He’s a sports fanatic. I’m trying to do better and get the kids out of the house and off there hineys. Thanks for all your posts. You inspire me!!!!!!!!!!
And for all you moms out there that don’t have tv’s….you are NOT CRAZY!!!! I admire you all!
We are a family with 6 kids and no cable. We recently purchased a 40″ LCD TV – but still, no cable. My husband and I watch movies (we use Zip – the Canadian equivalent of Netflix). Our children get to watch 1-2 movies a week, and they get to play an average of *maybe* 30 minutes of video games a week. When I first visited your blog in January and read about your trip to disney I realized – why DO we have cable? Nobody really watched it anyways… so we promptly had the service turned off.
I do sometimes feel out of touch without cable – I miss certain shows… my favourite channel was TLC… we don’t know what the hype is about at the office when everyone raves about some new show.. but even if we got to watch an episode – we never followed any shows on TV anyways. We are a family of 8 and we do not miss cable. Our kids do beg for video game time whenever they are allowed it more than once every couple of weeks, so we generally say no until they stop asking for it
My husband and I are the only ones the in the house. We have no kids at least for now.
So, we don’t watch really any tv at all. We do watch netflix movies though. I like netflix though since you can shoose what you want and no comercials.
We only watch about one movie a week or maybe a couple on the weekends. We never watch more than 4 hours in a week. We have so many other activities to do.
In our free time we like to read, go on walks, have friends over for dinner etc.
We do a lot at our church and we work and we go to our local House of Prayer where we have worship and prayer. So much more fun than tv anyway.
Finally we have a cat Casey, she is so much fun and entertaining we don’t need much more than that.
I encourage all of you to try the tv turn off week and go outside and play a game or talk to each other etc.
It’s wroth it. Paul and I “fast” tv a lot and we love it.
We have only one TV and it is still our old one my husband and I got ten years ago. We only get the very basic cable just because we would get no channels otherwise. Even then, there are only two shows a week we watch and my kids may watch a show or two on PBS throughout the week. And then my husband and I will enjoy a movie on the weekend via Netflix. We do enjoy our movies.
I just can not stand most offerings for children these days and I refuse to subject the kids to the commercials. If the kids watch anything, we much prefer a movie or DVD we have agreed upon as okay.
My husband was never been a big fan of TV. He didn’t even own one before we met. I’m glad his tastes have rubbed off on me as well.
We don’t have a tv. We do watch movies on the computer, and occasionally I will watch a show online while I fold the laundry or sew or for a break while the kids are napping.
We’re okay with no tv…if it was no internet for a week, that would be an entirely different matter. I wonder which week that is…
We’re really enjoying the baby pics! Can’t wait to meet her in person
We have 1 tv and it is in our living room. My husband and I pick 1 show a year that we tape and watch later when the kids are in bed. (the last 5 years it has been Lost).
If the kids watch anything it is a movie (usually on family night) or PBS during the day. But, we are trying to get out of doing that so much. They had been watching something everyday and we have narrowed that down. I think this week will be perfect for us to just turn it off!
Thanks for sharing!
As I write this my DH and DD are downstairs watching the Fantastic Four movie. We have been busy with church and playing outside all day and hadn’t even turned the thing on all day until this evening. That being said, I do let her watch TV (DD is 3).BUT….I am regretting letting her watch some seemingly harmless, fun (to her) movies and shows, like Highschool Musical and Hannah Montana. She LOVES them, but I do notice a change in her behavior when she watches them a lot. During the week she sees a PBS/Noggin show or two a day, but that’s it. No video games, no computer. And my DH isn’t crazy about her watching a lot either, so that does help. I on the other hand, watch TV at night when nursing my other DD and I view it is as my ME time. I probably should give up the 2 hours a night I watch, and do something more productive, but sometimes the thought of vegging on the couch and catching up on a few of “my shows” is the one thing that gets me through the day! LOL. I know great example I set huh? Well, at least they are asleep while I watch.
I’ve never commented before…but I’ve been following you for a little while now…and you’re encouraging.
My 3 and 2-yr olds watch Playhouse Disney while I take a shower with the 1-yr old in the johnny-jump-up in the bathroom doorway. 
Then…if things get hectic during the day or I get stressed and impatient, or I just want to get something done that needs to get done…I’ll pop in a Veggie Tales or Blues Clues. Often, after the kids go to bed, my husband and I will do homework “by the tv” (as opposed to “by candlelight”…or something. 
I only plan to watch tv when Lost is on. 
…and the Office. Otherwise, it’s sort of just background noise.
We have one tv…and I’m sure we use it too much…but…we use it less than we used to.
Anyway…I think I’m going to turn the tv off this week…except for I’m going to turn it on on Wednesday night at 8:00 (Lost).
Thanks for the encouragement…my goal is to mostly eliminate tv-watching…Lost is the only thing I’m not willing to part with. But, it’s better now to shut off the tv than when the kids are older…they might give me more of a fight then.
That’s all…thanks for the encouragement, and congrats on your new baby Cora! I love that name, by the way…I may steal it someday! I love Cora in The Last of the Mohicans.
In our household we have 3 TV’s. 1 in our room, 1 in L’s room and 1 in the living room. We hardly ever watch TV in the living room, and the only time L’s TV is on is when he wants to watch his Mighty Machines movie (that seems to be the only thing he likes to watch! He absolutely loves heavy equipment!) We don’t watch much TV during the day as there normally isn’t anything on. Night time is a different story. DH normally likes to watch the UFC shows (Ultimate Fighting Championships), and now that the new season has started he will make sure he watches it every Wednesday night! As for me, the past 2 weeks I’ve been watching the new TV series, Harper Island. It’s suppose to be a mystery/horror series where you, the viewer, has to try and figure out who the killer is.
Our household tries to spend as much time outdoors that we can. We’d rather spend time outside then inside any given day!
Years ago my hubby used to be a college football fanatic and we would turn the cable on for 6 months during the season and off during the off season. Then several years ago the Lord dealt with my husband about his sports addiction and he is a different man. I can’t remember the last time he has watched, listened to a game or even really cared who won the game! Since that time we have not had cable. We also got rid of a ton of movies and cartoons that we had compromised and allowed. We have 1 TV that’s 10 years old and every couple of weeks (sometimes more if someone’s sick) we’ll watch a documentary either from our collection or the library. I have bought a couple of Little Einstein DVD’s for the baby but she is totally not interested in the TV.
Occasionally I’ll let the children watch a cartoon on my laptop, but it’s not often. We’ll be doing no TV week too!
We are tv people–can’t live without Tivo, bluray, cable and our beloved 62″. We tivo and watch our shows after our 2 year old is asleep. He is just now getting interested in Sesame Street, but so far that’s really all he watches. Now that he’s noticed it though we’ve decided as our series end (west wing, er, monk, lost….sigh) we will absolutely NOT start watching new ones. It would be pretty hard to not let our son watch when he knows we are tv junkies! I don’t want him seeing commercials for any of the crap they are pushing during kid shows. He has an extensive dvd collection of his own though he doesn’t watch yet (dad just couldn’t wait). I plan to get the Muppets seasons on DVD and maybe the vintage years sesame street, so he can watch commercial free tv. He will absolutely NOT have a tv in his room ever. In theory I’d like to be no tv family, but who am I kidding—no LOST, CSI, The Closer…oh my! I can’t do it!!!
Why I have cable these days is beyond me. I never watch TV, except when we are under a hurricane watch or warning. I do enjoy indulging in TV Land sometimes, but that’s it. My elderly dad watches it 24/7 … I’d be nuts … and depressed. My boys did not grow up watching much TV, and they still don’t.
Yes, we have 2 tvs. I have 3 shows I watch a week but I could easily take them or leave them (nothing earth shattering). I probably watch the most tv when I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep. Then I watch food network or Nick @ Nite (old shows from the 80′s….brings me back).
My kids watch less and less tv. I would be fine if they didn’t watch any. On average they watch about 4-5 hours a week (if they are lucky). I would never allow a tv in their room.
Hubby is BIG into movies with the kids. He rents a movie weekly to watch with them.
We have a dinosaur in our house too and have decided once it bits the dust we are done with TVs. When we PCS it will go in our room and we will only watch it at night. Haven’t been able to break the TV habit but being overseas we usually only watch DVDs anyway. Plus it is a great babysitter when mom wants to take an quick shower, lol
We love to watch movies — otherwise we’re TV free. We don’t have cable and don’t watch anything current. We catch some PBS cartoons here and there or a cooking show but not often. We even cancel our Netflix account in summer since it goes unused. But in winter or cold & rainy days? Snuggle in! It’s family movie time!
How intresting no tv for a week. I think I could do it. My dd probably could. But its hubby that would have a problem with it.
We have 4 tv’s in my house. And my 14 year old does have her own. But there are many days she does not watch it. I have one in my bedroom and I might turn it on once a week. Usally I am too tired to watch tv at night.
We are an acitve family. My dh works, I work and go to school, our daughter has school, guitar lessons, 4H clubs, and now that its nice out she will go outside rather than stay in.
We do watch tv as a family. There are some shows we all enjoy. And will watch togeather. My hubby likes NASCAR so that is why there is a tv in the office for him to watch. I like the cooking shows, craft shows, some soap operas that I have watched since I was a kid. My dd does not like those. And I watch the news. That is about it. Nighttime TV sucks most nights. I do read or I am on the computer in the evening more than I watch anything on tv.
We have one television that is in our living area, but our children rarely watch it. During the week, it isn’t turned on during the day. At night, after the kids are in bed, my husband and I will sometimes watch a news program, sports or Food Network and occasionally a movie on the Hallmark channel.
If there is a big sporting event on the weekend, we may have the tv on for a little while; the kids go in and out of the room, but usually aren’t that interested. They are allowed to watch one video on Saturday nights – their choices range from an older Disney movie to Andy Griffith. Like you, when they are sick, we do allow them to watch videos a little bit more to help pass the time while they’re not feeling well.
I didn’t do it when my kids were little, but then again, maybe television wasn’t as “in your face” back in the 70′s. I agree with your stance and think more parents should pay more attention to what is actually showing up on that tube… uh, flat screen.
This is encouraging. I love all the comments. We have 1 TV. It was free. We watch it if the weather cooperates. You see we have a TV top antenna and a digital converter box. Yes the picture is amazing (better than the local cable company who I do not support) BUT the moment there is a windy day, we can’t watch anything.
I do not have the TV on during the day unless I am sick. I get a lot more done if I am not stuck in the living room watching some unimportant news cast. If I am sick I try to distract the under 3 crowd via qubo and this local religious kids channel.
If we lost our antenna and TV, I would probably miss certain shows. I know I missed the Food Network when I stopped getting cable. I briefly missed some show when we started going to cub scouts on tuesday nights (but I can’t even remember what it was, so its not a big loss).
My son…17 months…watches Curious George every morning on PBS, and then the television gets turned off for the rest of the day. There’s just nothing on there I want him watching.
My husband and I have been renting DVD sets from the library of shows we want to see, and it is SO MUCH BETTER than watching the shows when they are aired. Sometimes our son will sit on the couch and watch with us shortly before his bedtime. But it’s rare and we always enjoy having a few moments of time with him, sitting still!
my two kids, 3.5 and 5.5 do not watch tv. it amazes people. no videos, no computer games, no screen anything. best decision we ever made. we own a tv but they do not watch it. sometimes i think we should just get the tv out of the house so it’s never an option
We have two tvs, one in the living room, one in our bedroom. I cut off cable while hubby was on active duty away from home. He’s been back a month, and we haven’t turned it back on (we have an antenna), but he complains and moans and groans. every. day. I’m pretty sure tv is his only hobby. Personally, I hate how much time he’s willing to spend in front of the tv. I still watch a lot, but I watch on my computer, and we have netflix. My son watches PBS or videos during the day, but he doesn’t really sit still and watch, you know?
I think hubby has made it to the breaking point, and we’ll end up with satellite by the end of the week, lol.
I’m the tv junkie in my house. I watch a lot, but still manage to read at least 1 book a week. I manage my tv time with many other things so I don’t think it’s a problem.
When my dh and I got married we determined that there would never be a TV in our home. 14 years and 4 children later, we still don’t have one. We do watch an occasional movie on the computer. TV rots your brain – that’s what my dh always says and I totally agree. It doesn’t mean we don’t keep up with the news. We can do that online or the radio.
We’ve been married for almost 6 years and have never had cable. At first it was a money issue & then we could afford it, we decided against it. My husband grew up a TV Junkie and me the complete opposite (is that not how it always works). But he said he watched his Dad marry 3 times growing up & the #1 complaint of all wives was TV. So he did not want that to happen to him. A Compromise I made (which was really hard for me, as I said I grew up the complete opposite) was to have one night a week “Dinner & A Movie”. My 4 year old & I always homemake a pizza and salad for the night and we all watch a family movie together when Daddy comes home. Everyone always looks forward to it & it’s nice to have a balance. The kids still know the importance of eating together @ the table.
I love movies. We have a huge collection
And I have to say if I didn’t have this thing about movies it would be better, because I am constantly turning off the tv here!
I could totally live without cable or tv of any kind if I needed to. Kevin likes his tv, though, so we cannot get rid of it.
So I just turn it off constantly. :-p
We have one t.v. in our house. Never had cable. When I go to someone’s house that has a t.v. blaring, it drives me crazy. I watch a movie sometimes but I also read at the same time lol. I do admit that I let my kids watch way too many videos sometimes. Especially when I was pregnant and now have a 6 week old. Although I monitor what my kids watch, I am realizing that it is creating an unhealthy appetite for entertainment. Some is ok, but it is very easy to cross over into excess. It can create laziness which is not a good thing. I am still trying to figure out the right amount for our family.
My oldest son (16yo) and I do not watch any TV at all (he hasn’t watched in 3+years…I’m going on 18yrs tv-free). My husband and 13yo son both enjoy television. Unlike most folks who have TVs, we do not have them in our general living space…they are in the bedrooms of those who watch it.
When we began homeschooling 9+ years ago, we instituted a “no tv” during the day rule (adult included). My son dvr’s the shows he likes (mostly Animal Planet, Discover, and History Channel) and is free to watch them after dinner.
We don’t have video game systems (hand-held, or otherwise)…mainly, because I think they are money-pits. The boys may play games on the computer as long as they don’t involve shooting people or animals and aren’t bloody/gory. I’d like to say they only play chess and flip-words, but I’d be lying:-)
I’ve been TV free (no access) for almost 15 yrs. We do a bit of Netflixing, but I could do w/o much of that too.
We went without TV when we moved last year. We couldn’t really afford it and I didn’t really want it anyway. But…my husband hated not having it, so after 6 months we were hooked up again. I just don’t have it on during the day (well, now that March Madness is over with, and DH works nights, so it doesn’t get much use. My two year old occasionally gets to watch Curious George, but I’ve tried to limit that as well. It’s just too easy to get suckered into sitting on the couch for hours at a time.
We love TV but are very active as well. I love the idea of this challenge. Spring is here so we are looking for more to do outside.
The best we could find for TV was Noggin, but you gotta have cable and it targets around 2-5 years mostly. There are no commercials on this station.
We got rid of our TV a year ago. And my husband and I don’t miss it. My two year old and my three year old don’t remember life with a TV, and they are always interested in watching something at Gramma’s house for about 10 minutes before they move on to something else. My nearly-seven year old is still mourning the loss – but he’s the whole reason we got rid of it. He couldn’t go do anything else but watch it. All he thought about was what video he wanted to see next. It just wasn’t healthy.
I may have to give this a try. Unfortunately, the tv is a nice tool to have when I’m preggo-sick on the couch with no energy or ability to do much of anything with the kids. Even if I only get to lay down for 30 minutes, it’s been a life saver. (which is a little sad and pathetic, now that I think about it…)
We don’t watch TV but we do watch movies in the evening when the kids are in bed. We really do not have the time to watch TV: my children are fine playing, drawing, reading and I m busy with housework and classwork. The only time when my 3 yo son watched a movie was when he was ill and the only thing he could watch happily is Cars! In fact we do have a TV but because we don’t use it, we’re thinking of selling it! If you want to quit watching TV read http://www.wikihow.com/Quit-Watching-TV for advice
I do not have a strong opinion about tv. We have one tv and basic cable. We don’t have rules about how much you can watch or anything like that. I just haven’t ever felt we needed them.
During the summer, we would LOVE to be outside all day long and often are.
We are doing this too. My daughters school sent home a check sheet for everyday of the week. It includes everything with a screen. TV, handheld games, computers, etc. She had to pick one and give it up for a week. So far, so good.
We are stuck in the house 9 months out of the year because of the weather. So, no TV would not work for us. We watch less in the summer when the weather is good.
We rarely watch TV in our house (for the reasons you mentioned). There always seems to be something better to do…we like going on walks, coloring, reading, baking cupcakes, building block towers, etc.
TV Turnoff Week is a good thing, but I didn’t really think about it too much because – as you said – every week is TV Turnoff Week in our house.
We went TV free back in October or November of last year. We still have a TV as well, but it is for education purposes and the occaional movie.
Amy
I wish I could say we don’t watch tv, but we do. I actually love movies and TV. It allows me to step into another world and forget my troubles and forget my stress. But, my 5 year old son only watches TV once a week, so it is only after he goes to bed.