We’d gotten to a dark place, folks. Kids glued to the television every free moment that they had. Constant fast-talking in the background provided by “Shake It Up” and loud arguments over the remote and keeping track of the day by when “Peppa Pig” came on the telly. I’d had enough.
Admittedly, we (i.e the grownups in the house) were to blame because we’d let things get totally lax in the summertime – as they should be, in my opinion. Swimming, sleepovers, bike riding, popsicles, camp, and … television. I didn’t mind it until recently when I realized that their world were revolving around these doggone shows. Last week, Hubby and I felt like going out for dinner, so we announced our plans to the kids expecting cheers of joy because, what kid doesn’t love to eat out? Instead we were met with groans and whining and pleas to stay home because GI JESSIE IS COMING ON AND WE JUST CAN’T MISS IT!
We shut that down, ignored the near TEARS of a certain 7-year-old, and went and enjoyed our souvlaki. They did talk about the fact that they were missing the show during dinner (a lot), but we ended up having great conversation about everything from Greece to our relatives in the Bahamas. By the end of the night, they were holding hands and skipping along the sidewalk and making corny jokes. Living.
I mentioned it to my neighbor over the weekend and she recommended going on a TV Diet. I liked how that sounded and knew it was time. Then, I attended TeachMama’s ‘we teach’ DC workshop on Sunday where several other moms shared they they either banned screens entirely during the week or allow a maximum of 30mins per day, and so on. That gave me the boost I needed to come home and declare that Monday would be Day 1 of NO TV. The kids took it upon themselves to gorge themselves on Disney Channel all day in preparation, like little bears stocking up for hibernation.
Yesterday was Day 1 and, with lots of creative distractions from Mom, we made it through. What I FAILED to realize was that putting the kids on a TV Diet meant that I had to be willing to unplug and LIVE too. We did homework and played outside and rode bikes and took early baths and invited the neighbors over for s’mores. Needless to say I didn’t get any work done yesterday evening, but we made it without ANY melt downs. Before lights out, the kids shared that they’d had a great day. YAY.
Today was Day 2 and we’ve had an early dinner, colored, done homework, baked brownies, took early baths (again = diversion) and researched (and bought) a Rainbow Loom, and read books.
I’m exhausted.
Talk to Me.