Good Monday morning, sweet readers! If you are looking for or waiting on today's As He Leads Us post, just hang tight for a bit. We have a special post coming up later this morning!
So, a few weeks ago I was reading at Clothesline Alley where Mrs. Amy explains why they are television-free. I felt that all-too-familiar pang of conviction because Holy Moses we watch a lot of TV. Well, I can say with all honesty that I personally do not watch a lot of TV. I have a few can't-miss evening shows, but I don't watch any daytime TV. Wouldn't it be lovely if I could say, "in fact, we don't even turn the TV on until it's time for me to start dinner" or "we never even turn the TV on until the girls are tucked into bed!" But oh my, no.
This is a hard confession to make. I'm struggling to even decide how transparent I want to be in this. The girls watch way more than the AAP's "no more than two hours a day" guideline. WAY. MORE. Like, a lot a lot a lot more.
(Did you hear that? That was the collective gasping and clutching of chests from the crunchier side of the room.)
I've been feeling like we really need to cut back. As with all worthwhile things, easier to write/talk/think about than do.
Aliza Joy - she could actually live quite happily without the TV on, save for the occasional Blue's Clues to get her through a grumpy moment. She is very take-it-or-leave-it when it comes to the TV. Good thing, too, considering the AAP recommends absolutely no screen time for children under two. gulp.
Dacey - oh, my sweet four year old Dacey has been a TV-junkie for years now. It's a preference she inherited from her father (and he completely owns this, so just know I'm not talking ugly behind his back). Does that child enjoy some television. Oh, and she's quite the fan of the online games that accompany her favorite shows as well. Guess I better go ahead and clear a spot on the mantel for that Mother of the Year award.
Since I'm laying out all these confessions this morning, it seems like as good a time as any to tell you we are no longer cable-free. AT&T made us an offer we just couldn't refuse with all the bundling and the DirecTV. This has made the turning off of the TV that much harder, particularly since our old fave Noggin now provides 24/7 programming that's "just like preschool! on TV!" (even I have to admit that slogan gives me the willies)
And so here we go.
Unplug Your Kids is hosting the 3rd Annual Turnoff Week Blog Challenge and I, sweet friends, I am doing this thing. Family goal: simply to reduce the children's screen time to the recommended less than two hours daily. (I know, I know, AJ shouldn't be watching it at all. Baby steps.)
The first half of the week shouldn't be that hard. The girls and I will be at my parents' house where the TV selection is much more limited and the vast yard invites more outdoor play. The second half of the week? I'm a little scared, to be honest.
But it's just a week. We can totally do this, right?
All I know is if someone - anyone - gets sick, all bets are off. (Was that a sniffle I heard from the other room?)
To see who else is participating in this challenge or to take up the challenge yourself (please won't you?), click on over to Unplug Your Kids and join in!
