The removal of the T.V. was a pretty typical move for us. One morning we said "We should really just get rid of it" -- the next thing I knew, Tomas'd told co-workers about it and this one guy said he'd like to buy our monster. Gulp. I wasn't really ready for it, but OK.
What led to our ever-so-brief discussion was a series of events:
- We'd made a connection that our kids routinely turned into lunatics immediately following T.V. time. Stark. Raving. Mad. So unmanageable that I was guaranteed to start yelling my brains out within minutes of the off-click. Seconds, even.
- They would watch T.V. on play dates. What the heck?! A Play Date is for Play Time. Duh. Get on your scooters & skateboards, or play with one of the gazillion toys piled high in your bedroom.
- After watching a show they ALWAYS asked for another one. That really irked me.
- We'd read this article in Slate that discusses a research study conducted by Cornell University on the possible connection between T.V. viewing by young children and Autism. It was enough to freak us out a bit & we're not freak-out-types.
- I'm often up with insomnia (or the baby) in the middle of the night... I'm pretty sure the cop-n-robber shows were rotting my brain.
- After 22-gulp-years together Tomas and I spent most evenings sitting on opposite ends of the couch, staring at the screen. Pathetic.
That's pretty much it. No major research or anything. No big family meeting. We just did it, and it was the right thing for us.
In any case, we still have Netflix, and have put the TiVo recorder in the storage closet, for when/if we ever decide to get another T.V.
Yes - those are PRECISELY my reasons!! BTW - we live in Ithaca, home of Cornell University :-) My husband actually said that if we got rid of the TV, we wouldn't spend any time together in the evening because we would both be doing our own thing. WHAT?! You call sitting in the same room and mindlessly watching other people make out "quality time?" And my kids get really rotten when they watch TV too - it's not so bad in the summer since we are mostly outside, but it is horrible in the winter months. A part of me wants to see it go, but I am also a little freaked out about the withdrawal. Let me know how it all works out.
I ordered the book the other day, and it should arrive soon - so excited!!
Posted by: Melissa R. Garrett | January 19, 2007 at 02:15 PM
Thank you so much for buying a copy of the book. We really do appreciate it!
Posted by: Veronique | January 19, 2007 at 04:20 PM
I think what you did is fantastic. I couldn't care less about TV! Except when I am sick, that is the only time I enjoy watching it, because I can't seem to do anything else. And I am guilty of placing my 2 and 4 year old in front of appropriate aged TV for them too often in order to get something done. I have days where I am strict and don't let them watch anymore than one 1/2 hour show a day, but then I'm slack when I get busy with work (I freelance from home) and they watch too much. that big black box can ruin ourlives can't it?
Posted by: Tiel S-K | January 21, 2007 at 03:07 AM
what wonderful, thoughtful parents you are
Posted by: flutter | January 21, 2007 at 11:24 AM
we tossed our TV right after thanksgiving. it made instant results. I think my biggest fear was having no more quiet moments--you know, those (horrible) moments when they are zoned out in front of a show?...but now, I'm getting more than ever and my kids are coming up with the best alternatives. i love being TV free, too. definitely worth it.
Posted by: molly | January 22, 2007 at 05:59 AM
We've lived without a television for 8 years now and are still very happy with our decision to chuck it out!
Posted by: Mirre | January 25, 2007 at 12:21 PM