Anybody have "No TV" days in the summer?

[missypie]

My three kids get out of school for the summer in two weeks! One child in particular would lay on the couch with the remote and watch TV 12 hours a day if we'd let her.

Does anyone have tips for controlling TV watching over summer vacation? I'd like to make certain days of the week "TV free." The problem is, I'm at work and DH stays at home, and I hate to impose rules when he's the one who will have to deal with the kids when they get bored.

 

[pumba]

they waited to get cable or a dish......and two years later still no cable or dish......they are thinking about it...they watch movies on Friday night and that is called Family night.....the kids are almost 15 and almost 13......they have always preferred being outside.....roller blading or skate boarding or swimming.......snow boarding in the winter time too......
How about a day time off limits so they can play outside ......or a playground or a summer activity place.......we bought an above ground swimming thingie for them the summer before they moved and they had move fun with this.......

 

[JetMom]

Our rule during the school year is no TV during the week. During the summer, it's no TV before 8 PM. And then they can only watch for 1 hour.

We also put the GameCube away for the summer. It only comes out once in a while for a treat.

 

[Celluloidgal]

We have a TV free WEEK now and then. When we think the kids are turning into TV sets!!! We all do it. The first 2 days are the hardest. I stay at home, so I get the brunt of the "I'm bored..." routine.

Board Games (that they can play by themselves or group)
Coloring Books or Art projects (you kind find all kinds of "kits" out there)
Do you have a yard? Send them out (with sunscreen) chalk, watertoys, balls, etc.
My kids have summer homework. Is there a school project for school next year that they can start working on? Science/History Fair projects? Get a leg up!
Let them rest!!!

Good Luck

 

[tlgoblue]

Maybe the TV Free day could be on a weekend. Make it a Family day. Yard work, followed up with a game of ball or badmitton, croquet, or even a nice walk through the neighborhood, followed by a nice outdoor meal, (Have the kids shuck corn, prepare salad, set table, even decorate with garden flowers, even twigs and weeds, anything to let them make their mark on the event), and maybe roasted marshmallows. All that should gobble up the better part of the day and they won't miss the telly. Even if you did the same thing every time, the kids will love it and come to anticipate it. Plus you will be getting help in the yard, and with the cooking, and helping them learn great life skills! Make it a summertime tradition.

If you want several days a week, get them involved in some community program, ie. swimming lessons, ball, kids book clubs, or even start your own incentive program for reading. For example, for every book completed, the child earns something important to him/her. Could be credits toward a new video game, or tickets to the show or a lunch out with mom or dad. (Thinking specifically of your couch potato for this one. )

One of the best things you can do is just keep the stupid thing off. It is amazing how little they miss it.

Good luck!
Tracy

 

[missypie]

We are pretty strict with electronics during the school year: No game boy or PS2 except Friday evening-Sunday evening. No TV after school...we've all become pretty bad the last few weeks in the evenings with the final episodes of shows, etc.

One of the problems is that it gets so darned hot in Texas in the summer...most afternoons you just can't turn them outside to play.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, as many as we can! For us actually putting limits on the tv made it more valuable to them. Now try and encourage them to watch as little as possible and usually only in the evenings, with reasonable exceptions!

The key for us is keeping busy - if they have enough other great things to do they won't want/need TV. But it takes work so I like the above posters suggestion about starting it on the weekends.

We had a family meeting and discussed lots of things, one of which was TV, Gameboy and Video Games. I compared them to candy, ok once in a while but not 24/7, they seem to understand that. My girls are 7 and 9 btw. Dh and I also try and set an example as we found we were watching tv to much as well. Now we only do it when there is something we like to watch, that was hard at first so I understand how kids get hooked!

You don't mention the ages of your children but if they are old enough all you can do is explain your concerns and try to teach them the benefits of doing other things. Perhaps some type of reward for each day they only watch what you think an acceptable amount of TV. Rewards like a round of mini golf, day at the beach or a family hike or bike ride. Something non monetary they love to do works as a great reward for my girls.

It will be difficult though unless your dh is onboard and feels the same way you do. Good luck to you!

TJ

 

[catsrule]

No, DH would have a seizure.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We have a no TV on weekdays rule. My DS9 is already asking me about this summer. I really need to think about this. I may keep it the same. I think TV and PS2 should be a treat. If they use the computer it has to be educational.

I'm interested in hearing what everyone else does for the summer.

Lori

 

[missypie]

My kids are 13, 11 and 8. I'm thinking of having them look in the TV listings and pick out one show that they want to watch per day. Of course, if they each pick a different show, that's 3 hours a day.

Again, the hardest time to fill is in the afternoon when it's 100+ degrees outside...you kind of hate to even send them to the pool when it's that hot.

It's also difficult to get DH on board with my ambitious plans that he has to carry out. Last year I thought each child could be responsible for planning and preparing dinner one night a week (with DH supervision). That happened ONCE. I still think it's a good idea.

Since we're planning a May 2005 WDW trip, I've also thought of turning the couch potato daughter on to DIS and allears.net and having her come up with her list of preferred WDW resorts and restaurants.