I banned TV last night! I need support!

[missypie]

After lecturing the kids about how when school starts there would be no TV except on the weekends, I got mad last night and banned TV for the rest of summer vacation, too. The minute we get home from anywhere, the TV is clicked on and they are on the couch (sometimes 3 TVs for 3 kids). They don't want to go to the pool because they'd rather watch TV. If I ever see another episode of Full House or That's So Raven, it will be too soon.

We'll see how long I last. In a couple of weeks I'll have to bend the rule so that we can watch the Olympics.

Wish me luck!

 

[Cindy B]

I took my sons "screen time" away. That meant no TV, computer, or Xbox.

He read a ton of books, and finished up a school report.

 

[kasar]

Good for you! I've done the same thing before and it's tough to stick to your guns, especially when friends come over. My kids only watch TV on the weekends during the school year but in the summer they're attached to the thing.

You're so right about Full House! Boy, that show hasn't aged very well, has it? Raven, I like though.

 

[winniedapooh]

Wish I had your discipline! Next summer I think I am going to cancel cable and have it seasonally only to eliminate the problem. I am proud that unlike most of my kids friends, they do not have tv in their bedrooms! I probably would never see them again!

 

[BostonTigger]

I'm right there with ya missypieall for it. I'll admit, I'm a tv adict. I don't watch the regular shows though, I'm more into watching discovery, history channel, travel channel(one of my fav's) etc. Together missypie we'll get throuh it. I recently moved my tv out of my room and into the family room on the second floor(my rooms on the third). I use to sit on the computer and surf all while watcing tv. Now, I'm hoping I'll listen to more opera(the reason I went to school). So don't bend, stay strong. When ever you feel like you're going to give in just pop onto the dis for support.


BT

 

[missypie]

Thanks for your kind words, winnie, but I don't deserve them yet. The rule has only been in effect for 11 hours!

 

[Pembo]

*****

 

[missypie]

My 13 year old was almost crying over Yu-Gi-Oh earlier this summer!!! He did summer swim team and there is a meet every Saturday morning in June and it finally dawned on him that he would miss a month of Yu-Gi-Oh! Oh, the tragedy of it all!

It sure was easier in the days before cable. I have this impression that I watched a lot of TV in the summer as a child, but when I think about it, I really didn't watch all that much because most of the time, there simply wasn't anything on that I wanted to watch...no kid oriented shows during the week except Gilligan's Island reruns. (But I do remember my mom and sister and I watching the Watergate hearings as if they were a soap opera...I knew the names of all the senators and witnesses.)

 

[nkjzmom]

Cheers to you!! We went without cable for about 2 years and SURVIVED!! I did turn it back on after Samantha was born so that I would have something to help keep me awake for those middle of the night feedings. I plan on turning it back off when the kids start school next week.

We only have one TV in the whole house so that really helps. We got rid of the one in our bedroom a long time ago...it just really took away our...meaning DH and my...quiet time together after kids go to bed.

 

[mom2boys]

Stay strong! My kids get no TV during the week once school starts. The only effective punishment I have found is "no electronics". Currently there is no electronics until the videos they used as building blocks last night are put away. And they have to do it cooperatively
Do you know how many videos my 9 & 10 yr old have???? It is disgusting. I'd love to have the cash for them.
I am concerned because months I agreed to let them go to their cousins (3 states away) the week before school starts. Now I wish they were here that week so I can get them back into the groove for school.

 

[Danauk]

Stay strong. My friend did this a few months ago (actually she cut the plugs off all the TV's in the house!!) Her kids (ages 18, 16 and 11) complained no end. She also had problems with the eldest 2 (girls) talking non stop on the phone. She finally lost it when she got a monthly phone bill for £300!! Her daughter had been phoning her friend in Hong Kong for several hours a few days a week! She un plugged the phone then and cancelled their line! Now we have to call their mobiles! The youngest 2 have to but their credit out of their allowence but the oldest has to pay her own out of her wage.
They were without TV for about a month before she put new plugs on the TV's!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Oh man, I remember my HS students laughing at me because I blocked MTV and BET and a few other channels this year, saying the kids don't need to see those channels (oldest is 12). They said the kids' friends would be laughing at them. Well, at this point I with I had the guts to block Fox Family and Disney! Of course I can't, but I was too old to watch Full House when it was on the first time, and I sure can't stand it now! Raven is also on my nerves.
During the day I make them leave the TV off unless I need to take a nap or something. I put it on around news time and off shortly after. I have to watch myself--last week I discovered "Dynasty" is on Soap Net at 4 and it was the first season, which I don't remember seeing--I wasn't in college yet then--but I can't be a hypocrite and watch TV after banning it from the kids! I also have to stay away from "Law and Order" because 1) it's hard to turn it off once I get into the story and 2) most of the stories are NOT what I'd like to explain to the kiddies.
Robin M.

 

[Deb in IA]

Our rule, during school, is NO TV on week nights, and I limit of 2 hours per day on weekends.

And actually, with as busy and the kids have been this summer, we've had pretty much the same schedule this summer as well!

Oh, and we have NO CABLE, NO SATELLITE. Just the (gasp!) network stations . . .

 

[MAC3]

My DD is a junkie and gets that from DH he is one too. I've learned the hard way (fighting with DD about school work) and rushed homework assignments.

The best way to avoid such problems is the NO TV during the school week. Not even after but my homework is done. Then you have more time to studay and I'll expect at least a 90 if you know it all!

She can watch it on the weekends. As long as no projects are due.

 

[mt2]

Stay strong!! You'll get through this.

mt2

 

[SunshineSis]

Good luck! I've been tempted to do the same thing on occasion. My favorite is when we are out and my son is in a panic in the back seat because he's about to miss some spectacular Nickelodeon movie that will be replayed 6 times over the next week.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), we are busy and don't have a whole lot of down time during the school year. I allow my son 1/2 hour just before bed to watch TV during the school week, and I allow him to watch as much as he wants on the weekend...it ends up being 2 or 3 hours a day usually.

 

[HollyJoy]

I, too, have really limited t.v. this summer. My kids don't watch that much t.v. during the school year, for we are just too busy. Summer is the time when they want to plop themselves down and watch t.v. and movie after movie. I limit them to a little in the morning, then an hour in the evening/late afternoon. Surprisingly, we've done really well! Good luck!

 

[noodles]

Good luck! I've been tempted to do the same thing on occasion. My favorite is when we are out and my son is in a panic in the back seat because he's about to miss some spectacular Nickelodeon movie that will be replayed 6 times over the next week.

My oldest DD 9 does this all the time. She dosnt care if its being replayed tomorrow she has to see it when it comes on the first time.

You all have motivated me. Once school starts Im turning the TV off during the week. They are so into the tv they could care less about anything else.

 

[sk!mom]

Wow! Can I ever relate to this situation. My DS19 has always been a TV/ video game addict. We had to constantly monitor and limit it as he was growing up.

To my delight, my DD8 really doesn't like to watch TV. I don't even have to worry about it. She is very busy and even this summer she maybe watches an hour a day. During school it is a non-issue. She's too busy to watch and never mentions it.

 

[Pembo]

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