I must be a sadistic mum – I took the TV away a couple of weeks before Christmas. Literally, I’ve unplugged it, put it in the study with a sheet over it. Certainly it was discovered, but the sheet does seem to allow the out of sight out of mind principle to hold sway. Gracie does reminisce fondly about Peter Rabbit and Co., the Go Jetters and the Octonaughts..
In my defence, Gracie was a child obsessed and something drastic needed to be done.
I had vowed that TV would be rarely in our lives, but by degrees it became a staple and was enthusiastically watched instead of enjoyed activities such as going to the park, ballet class, or preschool. Waterworks and screaming for an hour would ensue whenever the TV was turned off.
To be brutally honest with myself, when I’ve been depressed or mentally unwell and I’ve needed to roll up in a ball, I let the TV babysit her.
Now we’re rediscovering the fun of being together. I’m drawing lots of monsters, Elsas and Annas. We’re playing tea parties, dancing, chalk drawing, and making lots of mess around the house and outside.
And when I need to cook or do other things she is more willing to draw or help out.
Today I thought it would be a good idea to put up the tent in the backyard and maybe have a sleep out. It was a sweltering 35C Celsius but having made the decision and raised Gracie’s hopes, I had to follow through.
Sweat was dripping off me as I erected the tent, and I tried to remember how it all went together, but never working out how to tie the front tent poles.
Gracie loved it and moved all her teddy bears in it for a tea party. However as bedtime approached she had no intention of sleeping there.
The upshot of pulling the plug is that I don’t have access to the TV any more than Gracie. Initially, that was a bummer because it can be quite relaxing after a full day of parenting. Yet I have more time to blog, to read, and comment on other blogs, use social media and I don’t have to be as depressed about how right-wing ABC-TV is becoming.
So ridding ourselves of the TV – for the time being at least – is useful for both of us.
I suppose not having a TV was more drastic in the past when we didn’t have the internet. But have you ever stopped watching TV? Do you think that we should ditch the TV forever? Do you think there is a point to having a break from TV – or social media for that matter? Or am I just being way too harsh as a parent?
It doesn’t sound harsh at all, it sounds like you’re being a lovely, attentive mum! 🙂
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Thank you so much xx
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Thank you! We can parent in different ways, but we all try to do the best! I appreciate your comment.
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I don’t think it is harsh at all, You seem to do many wonderful things with your wee girl, so I wouldn’t worry xxx
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Thanks for your comment. Being without TV is working for us now.
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I know it will not be easy which is why I totally admire you x
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Thank you! I try my best – like we all do – and by no means perfect xx
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none of us are perfect. What is that anyway? All we can is try xxxxx
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I am so proud of you for making that decision! To be honest I would say you should at least strongly consider ditching the tv for good. Especially when Gracie is still this young. If you try something like this later during the years of the Hormone Apocalypse… Very hard fight.
There is so much ‘screen time’ today, it keeps us away from reality and away from focusing on things that truly matter. Reducing the time spent face to screen is always good.
You are a great mother. 🙂
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Thank you for your comment Joonas, it’s very reassuring. Love phrase ‘Hormone Apocalypse’. Xx
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You are most welcome. 🙂 I think the phrase is fitting. =P I hope Gracie will handle it well though!
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Fingers crossed xx
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Wow, I am in awe that you were able to make that decision! My kids are 6&9 and I dread the reaction we would get. You sound like a great Mum, Gracie will benefit so much!
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Thank you I think I was pretty desperate to make the decision and it may be harder to maintain as she gets older. But it really suits us now. I’m muddling around like everyone. Really appreciate your support.
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GREAT idea! Studies show that TV is not good for brain development in little ones – think about that when you feel like a meanie.
I ditched TV decades ago, due to my own TV hypnosis, and only miss it occasionally. I recently removed Hulu etc. from my computer for the same reason, and joined a book club. Watching life is not *living* life!
When she gets older, it will be SOOOO much easier to set rules about how *much* TV is okay – start low, and tie earning extra hours for special programs to completing chores, homework, etc. By the time she is a teen, she will already be used to the TV rules, even tho’ she will most probably fight you on it. 🙂
You did the right thing at the right time. Really. Super parenting!
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
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Thank you for that thumbs up. It’s interesting you have given up tv yourself. Yeah I don’t really miss it. Xx
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