The idea to put our television away started as a challenge to ourselves, we thought it would last a few weeks. We had no idea that it would go on this long.
It all started back when I was on leave with our eldest son. I realized that throughout the day, from the time we got up to the time we went to bed our TV was on. It was always playing in the background, there was constant noise. I found myself sitting during the day watching shows that I wasn’t really interested in just because they were on at that time. R would watch shows that I didn’t really want him watching just because the TV was on.
So we had a thought, what if we got rid of the TV? Just for a little while, to break ourselves of the habit of sitting and watching meaningless shows.
Well its been three years and we don’t miss it.
It was difficult for the first week for sure, we had to force ourselves to find other things to do, and usually ended up outside. After the first week it started to get easier and by the third week we weren’t missing it. Our routine had changed to include more time outside as a family and getting more done during the day.
We do still let R watch the occasional show on Netflix (from a computer), but we have more control over what he is watching. We know the shows that we put on for him are shows that we feel are appropriate for him. Leighton and I still enjoy watching a movie together or as a family, but it is no longer the center of our living room and family time.
where our tv use to be
The space where our TV use to be is now where we have set up A’s play space. I personally think it’s a better use of space. After all, what’s more entertaining than watching your children play? 🙂
Here are some of the things that we have noticed now that we do not watch TV regularly.
Some of the positives we’ve seen are things like spending more time outside and as a family.
When we do watch it the advertising and commercials can be overwhelming. The experience has made us very aware of how much advertising affects us.
We are happier with what we have, we no longer are watching TV wishing for something bigger, better or faster. This is especially true for R, he is content with the things he has and does not ask for new toys, games, etc.
We don’t have to pay for satellite, more money in our pocket (always a plus).
While we do find the positives far outweigh the negatives, we do see some disadvantages. Now, when R is able to watch a show he becomes ‘glued’ to the TV, and we do miss out on those conversations about favourite shows with friends and colleagues.
We have talked about getting another TV as the boys get older but for now are happy with our decision to leave the TV out of our home. Maybe that will change down the road, who knows.
What are your thoughts? Do you live TV free? Or do you think we are crazy? Either way, let us know.
🙂
Hello! Thank you for sharing about becoming TV free!!!! We have been without paid programing for 20 years, with rabbit ears back in the day before digital conversion, we only got PBS, which we enjoyed in the winter months, but too busy outside in the summer. We have always been completely TV free in the spring through the fall, but do enjoy watching movies together in the winter on Netflix as well. I have never been sorry that we made these choices, our kiddos are getting older now, and it is fun to see them choose to work on a project, or rather be outside than stuck in front of the television, like so many others their ages. Congrats on your decision, may you continue to blessed with it!!!!
Have a beautiful day~ Wendy
Thank you for reading. I’m glad to hear from someone who has older children and has seen the long term benefits! Thanks for the comment.
You are so very welcome! Sometimes its nice to know that your parenting efforts are worth it in the long haul!!!! 😉
I am with you on the no tv idea. We have 1 tv in the basement living room and it is only on in the morning and at night, unless we are watching something for school. I think there is so much more to do without a tv, and we actually, (gasp) TALK to each other!! hehe…
Way to go!!
Thanks
Our tv has pretty much just boiled down to the husband’s sports games on the weekends. I rarely watch it anymore as I’m much happier spending time with my Little and helping her develop outside the TV! (However she does get ten minutes of Netflix via the iPad so this Mama Bear can brush her teeth and make breakfast in the morning!)
Thanks for reading, the iPad can be a lifesaver when trying to get something done alone when little people are around 🙂
We have a TV only for DVD’s – not hooked up to cable or even local stations. We live in very small quarters and on bad weather days we wanted to be able to watch movies together but other than that, I see no reason for it. Even with the DVD’s we notice that if our daughter has a few days where we let her watch more DVD’s than normal, she is more irritable, less able to focus and in general less happy (even though she thinks she loves it and always asks for a “show” as a treat or reward for some good behavior). I’m with you: think you made a great decision.
Thanks for reading and the support! It’s great to hear from parents who have the same approach to tv.
We don’t have cable or even local channels. We do have a Netflix account. I think that this helps us avoid mindless watching. I know if we had cable it would be how you described in the article, and we would just watch what was on. I’m not a movie person, but I have a few specific shows that I watch, and I let my son watch a few educational things as well. My husband does like movies and will set aside time for them.I think by selecting the actual program it makes one more aware of how much time is spent on the activity. Mindfulness is key when it comes to screen time.
Yes t.v. free 7 years. I don’t miss it nor will I ever go back. Discussing ideas is more stimulating than talking about irrelevant t.v. programs. That sounds almost snobbish….it just becomes nonsense once you get away from the Hollywood thing.
Great post.
We are TV provider free. We still will watch movies, Friday nights are movie and popcorn nights as a family. We will borrow TV shows from the library and watch when we have time or feel like it. So maybe once a week we will watch a few episodes of something ….
I found the TV watching frustrating. I would be making dinner or running through the house getting stuff done and the TV would be on, and everyone would be clued out that they should be helping with the to-do list. After a while I would get frustrated at their lack of and snap.
No TV has created a lot less frustration, resentment and me having to ask for help with the to-do list.
I will never ever have cable TV or readily available TV in my home again. We don’t Netflix either. I don’t miss the expense either!!
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I grew up without cable TV but with movies to watch. My husband and I have had Netflix and a big television, but we rarely watched after our daughter was born. When we moved we brought the TV…but it’s still in the guest room and we haven’t even considered setting it up. Too much fun and productive things to do! We had agreed that our kids would grow up without TV like I did, and this made for a smooth, happy transition! Our plan is to put the TV in the guest cottage when it’s done, and do family movie nights out there when we feel like it. Good for you. 🙂
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That’s a great idea!