Did you know April 20-26th is TV Turnoff Week? In our house we celebrate TV turnoff 365 days a year, but for many families this week is an opportunity to shut off the television and do something other than watch the screen.
Some fast television facts:
- Number of 30-second commercials seen in a year by an average child: 20,000
- Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 38.5
- Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television: 1,680
- Percentage of children ages 6-17 who have TV’s in their bedrooms: 50
- Percentage of day care centers that use TV during a typical day: 70
- Hours per year the average American youth spends in school: 900 hours
- Hours per year the average American youth watches television: 1500
- Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66
source: turnoffyourtv.com
When we decided to stop watching television several years ago it was an easy choice. We didn’t like the fact that our kids were being bombarded by commercials promoting sugary cereals, fast food, or cheapo made in China toys. We also didn’t like that fact that even if we were watching a “good” show inevitably a preview for an upcoming show (one that we would never allow our children to watch) could be seen during the commercial breaks. Not to mention it became harder and harder to find “good” shows. We decided to make our job as parents much easier and just quit watching television altogether.
To be honest, we still own a television. It is a twenty year old 19 inch dinosaur that serves us well for the occasional movie or educational video. We still enjoy family movie night once in a while and when our kids are sick sometimes they watch movies to pass the time.
Usually we are so busy we don’t have time for television. When the weather is nice I would much rather be outside (and let my very active boys run off their energy) than sit in front of the television. On dreary days I prefer books, games, crafts, and audio books. These types of activities encourage creativity and force my kids to interact with each other. It is easy to get along when everyone is looking in the same direction (at the television). It is much harder to get along when you are constantly interacting and being forced to share, cooperate, and talk. I want my children to be able to get along and play together, not be able to watch a movie together, that is easy.
So what is your opinion on television, love it, hate it, own it, live without it? Movies, cable, commercials? Are you willing to shut off your television for one week? Feel free to leave your opinion in the comment section, just keep it friendly and non-judgmental. What works for your family might not work for another.
Don’t know what to do without the television? Enter to win a P.E.P. kit filled with fun activities for your kids!
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
This post is linking to Real Life , Talk about Tuesday, and Tackle it Tuesday.
