How did your children spend their day today? How many hours of TV did they watch?
"American children and adolescents spend 22 to 28 hours per week viewing television, more than any other activity except sleeping. By the age of 70 they will have spent 7 to 10 years of their lives watching TV."-- The Kaiser Family Foundation
Are your kids turned on, plugged in, and tuned out? Let me just say, "I have so been there." It's really sad when I stop and think about how many hours my kids sat in front of the television when they were younger.
We haven't had a TV in our house for over seven months now. We turned ours off quite awhile ago. We rent movies as a family now and if my husband and I want to watch a TV program like "The Office", we can watch it on HULU.
Yes, it was tough in the beginning. Yes, the kids were not too pleased. And yes, I still miss it from time to time. But the blessings have been abundant and the time spent together precious.
So, I understand your beating heart when I say...
Are you up for a challenge?
It is national "Turn off your TV" week. Cmon' friends, take a walk on the wild side and turn yours off for a few days.
You will be amazed at how beautiful life is without it.
9 comments:
Yikes...are you sure? I could live without it, but my kids? Mutiny for sure.
I know. I get it. Summer is coming, and I certainly cannot abide the tv's hum 24/7! I suppose at 43, I'm going to have to get creative again and pull out the crafts...oh bother.
blessings and peace to you this week~elaine
I love evenings when it isn't on like right now! Everyone is either reading or playing games together! We haven't turned it off completely, but I love when an evening passes and it's not on, but here I am at the computer! Brother!!!
I so love the sound of a TV which is turned off!
Wow, I can't imagine. I'm sure it is a different lifestyle! I'd have more room in my den if I didn't have a TV, that's for sure! :o)
Wow... Need to absorb this a bit. My kids enjoy tv, Wii, Nintendo DS, my phone (for the games) and I they have seen me with plenty of time in front of a computer screen. We make a point on weekends to play board/card games, fish, go to the gym or whatever... Just to get out of the house, but sometimes as soon as we hit the door, the tv is on again.
Thanks for the post and suggested benefits of a change.
Jason
We went through a TV-less phase when I was in high school. Wasn't a fan. A year or so into it, we moved to a town that had the local NBC affiliate programming that aired on an FM radio station. So, like the good ol' days, I 'watched' the radio--I could even solve "Wheel of Fortune" puzzles without seeing where the letters were placed!
Funny how things come full circle though. Just a little while ago I turned my TV onto a channel that just plays Christian music. So now I'm listening to the radio on my TV. A step in the right direction, no?
: ) Mary
We use our tv to watch movies together on Friday nights, otherwise, it is almost always off. We used to watch American Idol, but it is baseball season, so we are at the ballpark now. If I unplugged the telly for a week, no one would notice. But don't even try to take away our books!
No more small kids at home. Our Teen is preparing for college in two yrs and not a TV person. She loves her music. Hubby and I watch Fox news and at times Law & Order but TV is not a big thing in our home either.
You will mainly hear me singing so I hope I don't have to turn that off (smile) because I love singing to the LORD.
Great message. Strong encouragement Joanne!
I came over to say it was so nice speaking to you last evening on our conference call. I look forward to an in person meeting soon.
Bless you and your family.
Love ya.
We don't watch much tv...in the long winters mostly and I limit and monitor it then. The Dove awards are on tonight!!! Ok...I set the dvr. : )
How fun that my post is after Lisa's...I'm with her, music is alway on...love XM's Message.
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