Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Grounded for a month!


What do you get when a four year old scratches up dad's tv with the metal ends of her umbrella?



Grounded for a month!




That's right, the doors have been shut and NO ONE in the house gets to watch any tv.

I know, I can hear the gasps now as you are reading this, but we are a week and half into this and it has been the best thing we ever did.

I remember hearing of a ward trying to be like the missionaries and give up all media for a week and the thought came to myself, "there is no way I could do that." I panic when the power goes out and I can't get the tv to work and I always say to myself, what am I suppose to do now? I know I don't watch TV as much, but that is my choice, I can always turn it on if I really wanted to.

I also had a YW that her and her father made a bet that they could go a month without watching tv, which the bet quickly died when BYU sports was on.

So how is it possible that this has been great for our little family of 3. Well, let me explain!

Shaeler wants to play more. We are calling friends over and she is drawing and coloring. When I am outside she is riding her bike. She is no longer the couch potato sitting in front of the tv. She is being the little child she should be. Now, she does get tv at grandmas, which is fine, but out our house, she is back in the No Fly Zone!

As for myself, the peace and quiet has been wonderful. Then to hear the laughs of Shaeler playing with her friends. And the projects I am getting done is UNBELIEVABLE! I have a list of things I need to get accomplished and my productivity has increased 100%. I am trying to get a few more projects done so I can go and buy the books I want to read. For some reason, I can't always be a reading bum.

So I challenge you all today, to turn off the tv's, DVRs, Tivos and just be. Set the remote down and enjoy the quietness of your home. Sounds will appear that you were not aware of before and you will appreciate the blessings that comes with it. It has been a blessing for our family and it may turn into a banishment for life in our house. (Well other than GC and when my mom is in town.;))

PS. I also want to acknowledge the "suckiness" of my camera shots. I am fully aware of it and have done everything humanly possible to try and fix my camera. Just to let you in on a secret, I was given enough money for my birthday that I am getting a new camera. It is now being shipped and should be here in the next day or so. I am so excited, I cannot wait!!

8 comments:

Just a thought.... said...

I guess I don't really get it. Did Shae scratch the tv and that is why there is no tv now, or are you just doing this to do it? While I admire for doing this, it is something that we could never do. Especially with all my favorite fall shows returning in the next month. I do have to say though that my kids haven't been watching tv much anymore. They are always outside every night playing with our neighbors. When they do come inside its bath, brush, read and bed so that doesn't leave much time for the tv. Way to go though-I am very happy for you guys!

Ann Marie said...

Funny Post! I love the title!
How bad is the TV scratched?

Here's the deal.
1- I DID shut our TV off already. ( just for me though ) All summer I havent seen anything, unless it's a movie. You want to know something great? Don't watch the news for months. It's been great to not be dwelling on all of the bad that surrounds me.
2- I'm with Katie. The hard time to do this would be when all the fall shows come on, or in the winter when there is nothing to do.
3- I WISH my kids could sit down and be a couch potato just once. I swear my kids have ADD, and the only time they have ever seen a show all the way through is when they are ill. My kids are out till dark every night playing away...You know how I'm always doing something, and on the move? It must be in the genes. :)

I admire the willpower your family has had lately. You have sacrificed alot in your family, and I'm sure you will be blessed for all of the good choices you are making...

Sure I could give up the TV if I had to. My real struggle would be not being able to blog or read them everyday!
Sorry for my long comments! :)

Jenice Henrie said...

Ah, oh. I have to see the dentist next week and I was planning on staying with you. I will try and bring a book or my cd's instead.

Mom of three ♥ said...

Wow,that is great for you! I myself would have the hardest time doing that. Not that I get to see much tv during the day with twin newborns but at night when they are actually sleeping for the few hours that they do, I love catching up on my shows from earlier in the day! But good for you guys, hope it works out for as long as you want it to.

The Petersen Twins said...

I accept your challeng but only because school has started (and do weekends count? I'm going to say... no).

Jenice Henrie said...

I just realized what GC meant. Dah! Grandma Curi. Ok, the knives aren't as sharp as they use to be.

Also, loved the Petersen's comment.

The Dorsey's said...

Hmmm, mmmk. I thought about this one and my first thought was "But football season just started?!?!" Then I had a plan. I told Brian that it would be more productive to go to the games in person than to watch them on T.V.

Not sure if it will work, but I have gotten permission to get Bronco's tickets for October. Now I need to figure out how to get a SF tripped planned as well.

To be honest, I use the T.V. more as a background noise. Most of the time, I have the music channel on "Kids Radio, 80's, can't wait for Christmas music." Ask Shae, she will tell you how nuts we are. ;)

Now if you issued a challenge to turn off computers....we would have mutiny at my house.

Good Luck!

Suzanne said...

Mom,
GC is General Conference!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails