Queen of KAOS

Just Say No TV Time

My kids and many others get a strange case of glom-around-the-couch-uritis every summer.

If I don't limit TV time.

This strategy is not for the faint of heart.

Prepare for much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Much saying "Why is the TV on?", "Shut the TV off", "Why don't you go out to play?" Among other things.

Prepare to spend a little more time with your kids as they will need something to fill the void.

Jump on Mom, jump on each other ("get off of me" is another common shout heard resounding through the house), and jump on the cat are games that will become family favourites . OK, the cat thankfully is probably in hiding until September. Actually we have 4 kittens and 2 adults, so the cats usually just join in the jumping.

Prepare to provide them with other things to do.

It will be a unique opportunity to get to know them better.

And for them to develop skills, use their brains and develop confidence.

And to clean the house! I am continually amazed at how often my kids will get bored enough to start cleaning something when the TV is off.

Between all the jumping and shouting that goes on around here, miracles do happen!

It is often something that should have been already cleaned but what the heck.

And many times they will surprise me with something completely new and different.

It is amazing to watch them come alive.

Of course, there is more arguing, more messes and more general kurfluffel, but hey, we signed up for that, although I don't think I personally knew the half of it!

I would far prefer the challenges now, and look back to family memories and funny stories later, than to mourn for wasted years.

Our no TV time is between 10 and 6. Sometimes we change it to up a bit to allow a mid day break from the heat and sun.

Excuse me for a moment, I have to shout "Is that the TV?", another saying you will get good at, as well as "No it's 6 o'clock not 5"and "Shut it off".

Oops, here comes another one "What can we do for an hour?" accompanied by "Umm" from me.

Prepare to be intellectually stimulated.  Umm doesn't cut it when you've got kids on the loose.  Kids who need to fill time. Kids who want to DO something. Perfect.

Oh, I thought of something, "How about some crafts on the craft table".

Christina's reply, "What craft table?"

I answer "The one on the deck" (that they have been using since we built her castle for a school project about a month ago. I guess we didn't officially deem it "the craft table", good thing we cleared that up!).

"Only if Robyn will", she says.

Robyn says, "OK"

Christina says "OK"

Alrighty then, that's settled. Wow, that was easier than I thought it would be!

Another miracle.

Note to self, get more glue sticks.

 
Recommended 
 
 
 
More Resources
 

Mom Has Fun Parenting! Curiosity based parenting method. No punishment. Free e-class. Learn to set rules and consequences that develop respect naturally... Plus have fun in the process. I own this ebook and it is well worth it. Her parenting foundation is one of maturity and respect - and fun for mom too!

[an error occurred while processing this directive]