We Turned off Cable...It's GREAT!

[jchick]

I just wanted to tell everyone that we turned off our cable and it has been wonderful the past 3 weeks! Our family was apparently addicted to the tv, we had it on for noise all the time! Now, if we watch something, it's a movie together. I really think we all get along a lot better. I have been sleeping better b/c I'm not staying up watching tv to get to sleep. It's very weird, but nice. Just thought I'd share.

 

[SeeDisney]

Good for you!!!

 

[LegoMom3]

I have been contemplating doing that same thing. It's such a "convenience" and like you said, it gets to the point that it's "just on" simply because you are used to it. I'm all about family unity in our household right now and the TV definitely does NOT contribute to that (everybody sitting around it at the same time doesn't count as togetherness...).

Thanks for the positive spin on it. I may yet take the plunge! (you know, I actually see DH having a harder time with it than the kids.... Might have to wait until after Patriot's season!).

 

[WantToGoNow]

We didn't disconnect our cable but we stopped using the TV through the day. It was starting to interefere with my ds5 getting off to school in the morning. Now we leave it off all day and may turn it on in the evening after the kids go to bed to watch a program or two. Occassionally, one of the children will want to watch a DVD and we'll turn it on for them (my dd2 is watching a Little People DVD right now).

 

[Hannathy]

TV is what you make of it. I couldn't imagine living in the dark without cable. There is too much happening in the world to not have access. What about all the great documentaries on Discovery or the History channel. We don't have HBO or Showtime or stuff like that but I would not feel informed without the other channels. My 8 yr old very rarely puts on Disney or the other kid channels he usually has on the Military channel or the History Channel or one of those types. Our whole family has many discussions on things that are said on one of the news type talk shows or health channels. We would also miss our favorite show House or Monk. Sorry you can't convince me.

 

[laceemouse]

When we moved here about a year ago we had no tv at all for about 6 months. Now we have the basic program, only local channels and for some reason they give us Discovery. We do not miss it at all! As far as education goes, we are a homeschooling family so we have a house full of educational/history books to read. Also, you can get some pretty good history and educational videos free from the library. We did it to save money but also to spend less time WATCHING and more time reading/doing!!! Most tv is trash. I know there is some good stuff, but it still seems like they show the same shows over and over and over....We can live without it.
FWIW, we could still watch House and Monk if we wanted to, we have those channels. I just really don't have to time to get involved in any series. Just my two cents!!!

 

[Nanu57v]

DH decided no more TV for DD due to the recent autism study (says TV causes it ) Anyway, that means I don't get to turn on the tube until 9 when she's asleep, but by that time there's nothing good on. I think he's crazy about the autism link, but amazingly DD's vocabulary has increased dramatically and also her fine motor skills since she's playing with puzzles and coloring more. She only "watched" about an hour a day, but I did have it on a lot as background noise.

 

[wrldpossibility]

Surprisingly, TIVO has helped monitor our TV watching. I never thought I watched a lot (or the kids), but I realize now that I have TIVO that I used to turn the TV on in the evening and just see what's on. Now we have only "appointment TV", meaning we TIVO the select programs we want, that we consider quality TV, and don't watch anything else. Same for the kids...we TIVO three PBS shows, and that's all they get a week. We can FF the commercials now, so we don't even have to see promos for the reality or sitcom junk (can you tell we like dramas?).

I agree that TV is what you make of it, and there is quality TV out there. We only get basic networks though. You won't get us to unplug ours any time soon!

BTW, I have never heard about that autism study. I can see how TV may have negative effects on autistic people, but CAUSE it? I don't know about that.

 

[kaybracon]

.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

DH decided no more TV for DD due to the recent autism study (says TV causes it

Sorry, but that is absolute nonsense!

As for not watching tv, do whatever works for you. Personally, I LOVE tv. The trick is not to leave it on all day for the noise and limit kid's viewing.

 

[lovesmurfs]

We've been 2 1/2 or more years without cable -- I love the fact that the kids don't need the latest and greatest....whatever. It's been a good move for our family (although, admittedly, I was dragged into it by DH).

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Good for you! I would love to do that, but so far we have cut back to only having basic cable

 

[beck0321]

It would be nice to do just to save some $$$
Any good TV show you can get on DVD after the season. DH is always saying he wants to get rid of it because "nothing good is ever on anyway"

Everyone keeps telling us we need to get digital cable and DVR. We just aren't that obsessed with TV and when we tell people that they still try to sell the whole DVR thing. I just don't look at it as something we need.

ETS: I'll tell you what though, DH wouldn't shut off the cable just because of football.

 

[mariolatry]

I've been considering getting rid of cable. I only watch the Amazing Race and my husband is a chronic flipper; never settles on anything but flips all evening long. We have a cable modem so we could download whatever we really needed to watch. Plus, we belong to Netflix so we can get past seasons' episodes. I don't know, I'm still considering it......

 

[mikkiwikki]

DH decided no more TV for DD due to the recent autism study (says TV causes it ) Anyway, that means I don't get to turn on the tube until 9 when she's asleep, but by that time there's nothing good on. I think he's crazy about the autism link, but amazingly DD's vocabulary has increased dramatically and also her fine motor skills since she's playing with puzzles and coloring more. She only "watched" about an hour a day, but I did have it on a lot as background noise.

That study was found without basis....My son is autistic and I can assure you that TV had nothing to do with his condition. That d$mn study is a throw back to 'blame the parent' mentality of the 60s.....Families need REAL research, and I will thank you not to further promote this mis-information. Our kids need research from serious scientists...not sensationalized brain candy performed by economists...which is the author to the study you cite.

 

[SaintsdoDisney]

To the OP, glad to hear it is working out for your family. We are moving into our new house in 2 months and have decided to go with out TV. We buy DVDs, belong to netficks, have a ps2, sirius, and the internet - obviously more than enough gadgets to keep us busy and informed on current affairs. As it is now we only watch Disney, History, HGTV and Food Network so we won't miss it much. The extra money can go in our trip fund!

 

[dana1003]

i agree w/the autism and tv thing being bogus.they said the same thing about add and tv..guess what..i know allot of people my age who did nothing but watch tv when they were kids and guess what..thy're fine. i do agree it needs to be watched in moderation. i would rather my girls play w/ puzzles,dolls, color etc. stuff where they have to use their imagination. as far as cable goes-we have the platinum package and are downgrading to basic. as long as they can watch disney and noggin thats enough.

 

[shellyfive]

we don't have cable.... and never actually did!!!!! My parents call me crazy, my sibs call me un-american......I just call me cheap.....I refuse to pay for something that you can get for free (basic channels here) Much to my 13 yr olds dismay.......everyone does what they feel like with their money, i prefer to spend that monthly premium on other things.......................

Now if you asked me to turn off the disboards----you may have a screamin' match!!!teeheehee

 

[jchick]

Wow! What great feedback. I have a friend who must has basic, and she is fine with it. I may end up doing that, but not anytime soon. My kids are really adjusting to it well....though it took some getting used to.

I do miss Grey's Anatomy though...

Anyhow, the positives are: homework for DD8 gets done a lot quicker, kids are outside more playing in the yard (though it's starting to get cold here, so don't know how that will play out), DH and I seem to be talking more after the kids go to bed vs. watching tv together, which is always a plus. All in all, it's definitely been a complete positive for our family.

As far as being behind in the news, I'm on the computer a lot and read the newspaper every day. I rarely had time to sit and watch things anyways. My kids didn't watch anything educational, only Disney, PBS and NickJr.

 

[staci]

we gave up cable when we got married, 4 years ago.....for the most part it has been great. I do miss my HGTV, but I love that my ds isnt into all the crap they advertise on the kids stations; we get a small taste of it on saturday mornings if we are home to watch cartoons......... I am glad we have done it, and it is a huge help with the budget.