Last night I asked the kids to do something, and no one moved. I felt like I was talking to a wall. The TV was on. So I snapped. And I said no TV for a week. For everyone, as long as the kids were awake.
At first I thought maybe I overreacted. Our kids are good kids. But too much lately it feels like I'm talking to a brick wall. I have to repeat myself several times, louder each time, to get a response. I'm met with arguing or insolence. Nothing over-the-top, but nothing acceptable either. I don't think I overreacted.
It is not just the kids that are letting their behavior be affected by tuning out the people around them. The adults are just as guilty. How often do I turn on the TV so that a busy 2 year old or curious 5 year old will just leave me alone? A moment's peace is all I want. But at what price? It sends such an awful message, to say that a TV show is more important than they are. Everyone in the house has used this one little device take away from each other.
So we're tuning out the TV this week, instead of each other. Last night I sat down and played a game with some of the kids. It had been way too long. I'm excited to teach my big kids how to play Clue and Rummikub. Some nights they might each be doing their own thing, but we won't have the background noise of the TV as a constant presence.
We're hitting reset and starting over. I don't expect perfection and I don't blame TV for some of the behavioral issues happening. I just know we can do and be better.
Linking up with The Extraordinary Ordinary
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What a good idea. I will try that someday.
ReplyDeleteI've been there, and it is always good to have a little reset! It will be a great week, but you may not feel that way at times. Memories for the kids will happen though - it always does in our turn off the tv weeks!
ReplyDeleteI am reading a REALLY good book right now that touches on this subject. I am going to review it on my blog next week, you'll want to read it, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteAnd we are "unplugging" a bit over here too and it makes things better. It just DOES. :)
My husband would be the biggest pouter in our house if I announced such a moratorium, and I think I would be the happiest recipient of his attention once he stopped pouting...if he managed to get there.
ReplyDeleteMy husband would be the biggest pouter in our house if I announced such a moratorium, and I think I would be the happiest recipient of his attention once he stopped pouting...if he managed to get there.
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