After months of my husband asking me if we could get rid of our satelite television (he really wanted to cut that expense because it is over $1200 a year- and we have one of the most basic packages that they offer). I finally realized that since I am homeschooling it would probably be the best thing for my children to cancel the television and the ability to allow them to watch whenever they are bored (or whevever I need a babysitter- which I hate to admit). We will still have our television and can watch basic television and DVDs and VHS tapes. I do not watch much, if any tv during the day and if I do I listen to shows on the internet, while I do other things. I do watch tv at night after the kids go to bed and about 80 percent are docu-reality cable shows. If anyone has any ideas for getting the kids off tv I would love to hear them!
7 comments:
We got rid of our cable almost 7 years ago. We haven't regretted it. We do have a Netflix membership ($9/month) and watch a lot of TV shows that way, via the Wii.
I think TV is something kids come to expect in teleland society; LOL
I have a 60 year old kid who refuses to let go of his TV ... I keep hoping though that someday he'll realize it's a drain on the brain as well as the wallet :-)
If you are serious about cutting the TV from your kid's time, books are good (regular books or talking books) - video games that stretch the mind and sharpen intellect - board games that don't drag along but allow they to unwind and 'win' once in awhile - scenic walks that engage their physical and mental abilities to their best - road trips to break the everyday routine and add some imagination into their lives ... the things that TV seems to have erased from the real world of living! Also perhaps a pajama party or weekly "kid time" with other homeschoolers so that they don't feel like the strange kids on the block.
I have done all of these things with my kids when we home educated them and they really work. Even if my hubby clung to his TV ("I want my teeeeveeee ...") it was usually only utilized by the rest of us for educational programs.
Hope this helps :-)
~Val
Hi! Following you from F.M.B.T!
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Good for you for getting rid of it! I never could, but I applaud anyone who can!!
Returning the follow from FYBT! Happy Tuesday!
Thank you for swinging by 2 Against 1 , following back now. Yay! For no cable/satellite, I don't have it either. I prefer it that way.
i can't even get myself off of tv. it's on all day and night. the only time we get away from it is at dinner time. good for you :)
Wow, that is a bold move - and I commend you for it. I have seriously cut my TV watching WAY down over the last year. My kids are perfectly happy with DVD's. I don't know why I can't just bring myself to cancel it. I envy you for taking the leap.
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