The national switch from analog to digital television signals has shaken up my household.
Using the lingo of all those endless commercials and public service announcements, my family was "unprepared" for the change. First off, (the horror!), we have but one TV. While it's a fairly new digital set (only one of our children is younger than it), we haven't been able to get the digital signals. We don't subscribe to cable or satellite or anything like that. I knew full well that once the analog signals were turned off on June 12, our box would wear nothing but black.
It's not that I'm anti-TV, despite my views that there's plenty of trash to be had on the airwaves. This broadcast change just wasn't much of a priority for me to pursue ahead of time. Besides, we're more rainy-day roof fixers around here. (That's why some of you may have seen Jeff climbing on the roof to clear drainspouts on Sunday.)
Call me "unprepared" if you must, for truly I was unprepared for the initial outcome.
My children have spent more time enjoying each other's company in the last three days than they have for quite a while. They've played basketball, set up board games, conducted scavenger hunts, read, written stories, compared catalog wishlists, harvested veggies, hunted bugs and otherwise used their delightful imaginations. And all of it together.
I'm suddenly more popular, too. My constant "TURN OFF THE TV!" battle-cry used to be unheeded, now it's unneeded. We've all been a little happier about that, I think.
While it wasn't my intent, this inadvertant experiment makes me really think we could be a TV-less household. DVDs would be more of a treat. We'd still have our computer to stay on the public pulse. Plus, there's always newspapers and radio. Jeff disagrees, however, saying that we NEED to have TV. He's already scheduled a service to start later this week. Personally I'd rather apply the cost of a monthly service to a vacation or swingset instead.
So here are my questions to you: Will I set my kids up for psychological scarring if they don't grow up with television? Will they be considered weirdos? Will they be the odd-man-out in important conversations about last night's show? (Hey, back in my day everybody watched the Cosby Show, but that was when there were only three channels.) Will my children -- gasp -- have school assignments to watch TV? Will I be the source of eternal embarrassment and bad grades? Will my son feel the need to move to a sports bar?
In short, will I deny my children benefits of TV that can be obtained no other way?
I do wonder if the Internet will develop the same power, immediacy and continuity that live TV has for the unfolding of such historic events as 9/11 and the last presidential election, two moments I soaked up in front of my set. It's so hard to know.
Jeff has also liked the increased camraderie with our children. He thinks we can strike the same balance, and solve our previous TV woes, by better enforcing rules for who can watch what and when. But that load falls mainly on me, and I don't like that battle.
Please let me know what you think. Dare I say, "Tune in . . . " for the results? No, too corny.
"Read all about it" instead?
4 comments:
When I was in about fourth grade my parents turned the TV off for all but Fridays after homework and Saturdays after chores. Middle school was the hardest for being left out of conversations but I was used to it by high school. I am still amazed at the number of conversations about television programs.
We started marriage without a TV and have alternately locked it in a basement storage closet over the years since acquiring one. At times we have set the TV up in an unfinished part of the basement. You really have to want to watch it in that atmosphere.
As my children grew older I realized I wanted the TV where I could better monitor the programs. It's now in the living room behind cabinet doors. It has always been our habit to only turn on channel 7 or 11 for the children. Now that it's in the living room and more accessible, it's on more but still only those two channels. My oldest (13) thinks most TV is a waste of time and doesn't feel underprivileged. The others aren't as convinced.
However, like you've discovered this week, I'm not willing to give up the time they spend together for TV. It's not an equal trade. Besides, when we do watch a movie on Saturday night together it's a real treat.
Another benefit is my children miss all the advertising. They don't want the newest, latest____simply because they don't know it exists. They're only exposed to products as other people and children in their world use them. I don't think they are as obsessed with stuff as I was at their age.
We are also pretty much addicted to NPR and get most of our news that way or at 10 after the children go to bed.
So no, I don't think your children will be scarred by using their imaginations and playing together more. I honestly don't know how we would have time to watch TV during the school year. Oh and it's a real treat in the summer when I let them watch while they pod peas, snap beans (and even sometimes when they fold laundry!).
Katrina (I can't log in under my account today. Something's weird.)
WOW! NO TV. I think my kid and husband would freak out! I totally agree though. It is a time sucker and dare I say "babysitter" for the kids.
Back in the day, my mom got so sick of yelling at us. One day she actually made good on her threat to "cut the cord". We all stood there in horror as her fabric scissors came out and actually cut the cord to the only working TV in the house. The weird thing is, I don't think we really missed it that much. Well, we didn't realize we missed it until we finally got a new TV.
I'm interested to see how this plays out for you. You'll have to keep us posted. I know this would never fly in our house. I am married to a junkie that has to see the Jazz game and all that other stuff. Sadly, my kids are also quite familiar with what is show on Disney Channel and Noggin. I think maybe we'll have to impose some sort of time limits this summer so things don't get out of control.
Good luck and keep us posted!
I want you to try no TV because I can't do it. You can do it for me! I'm the mean mom that turns off the TV whenever I feel like it and I only let the kids watch things that have been recorded previously. I can't stand the commercials. We have shows recorded for when we've been out in the sun all day and everyone needs down time. But if I hear a commercial (if the fast-forward person drops the ball), I turn it off. A no-TV household is something I admire. Although...just a caveat...the no-TV family in my neighborhood growing up? They were weird! :)
This one is a thought-provoking one. Maybe you should consider having an open blog- I think you would get a lot of readers and maybe even make some money! I wish we watched less T.V. but are protected by the fact that my 2 year old doesn't think to watch T.V. but actually asks to play and go outsdide...imagine that! But, I am sure I will have to cross that bridge sometime so here are my thoughts on the matter. Any family is better off without T.V. I love the rule that there is no T.V. on week nights, but if the kids are always fighting about it and arguing that you can cut the cord (literally if you'd like) until they learn to appreciate Fridays. If they feel left out at school, they will always have each other as siblings to complain about it. I think they will one day thank you.
Having said all that... we have DirecTV and I am not ready to give it up :) At least I can refer to my own blog comment for strength in a few years when it comes time to make the change! :)
Post a Comment