Being sick often causes me to reflect, because I am to miserable to do anything else. I have been reading a book, listening to my kids, and somewhat listening to the TV,which of course has pretty much been on for two days. I want to throw something out there and would love to hear all of your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Is TV a good thing for our children to be spending time on? I already tend to fall into the "wierd" category around here because I made the choice not to have a video gaming system in our home (even when a Wii was offered as a gift). I know I am a little nuts, but as I listened this morning I had to wonder if I should even have a TV at all. I want to hear what you do and why you do it. I want to hear people stand up for it and people say it is completely of the devil. I would also love to hear those middle grounders tell me just how they stay in the middle region...Can't wait to hear from all of you!
11 comments:
I won't lie--TV is my babysitter. I depend on it to entertain my kids when I HAVE to get something done. I don't approve of a lot that's on, so I watch what they do so I know it's okay. My kids have learned from the good shows and hopefully not the bad because there are a lot of bad ones out there. We do have a Wii though, and love it.
I was completely against video games too (WAY AGAINST THEM) and I caved in and got a WII... but, we have strict rules about how long they can play and when they can play etc...as for the TV, I love TV so much that I couldn't live without it...
Well, Heather, we don't have TV stations. We don't even get the free ones with an antenna. We do have a DVD player and lots of movies. We also have an XBOX and XBOX 360, but strangely enough, my kids do not play them much. We got our XBOX 360 this past Christmas so we could play Rockband 2 as a family since we loved playing it so much at a friend's house. If someone offered me a Wii as a gift, I'd take it and run so I could do all the Wii Fit stuff. So it would be all in the name of exercise ;)
My roommate's and I decided we didn't want to pay for television, so we don't have a single working stations on our t.v. I LOVE IT! It never serves as a distraction. However, we had to visit friends for the Superbowl, and if we want to know what's going on in the world we have to pick up a newspaper on campus. We watch movies on the weekends and that is fun, but as far as t.v. channels and the stuff that's on, it is Horrible.
Middle ground is the place for me. I like to maintain some "normalcy", however evil that may be. I really like it as a tool to get people together (games usually) I like some of the cartoons-einsteins, backyardigans, charlie & lola. I pretty much avoid evening tv if I can. I have had days the kids see stuff I don't like and want to be rid of it completely. I think the middle ground is the hardest to achieve, and I wish I was better at it, but we do ok.
Well I think all in moderation. My kids hardly have time for T.V. but they do love our DVR for their favorite shows. But I do love the blocking of ratings system I can do so they just can't watch anything thats on.
We probably watch too much tv at our house. I do enjoy some of the reality programs out there. As for my kids, we do watch more tv in the winter. And there are some programs that I love. Someone already mentioned Backyardigans and I think it is a great show. Some of the children's shows are actually pretty good. It it the ones in the afternoon you have to watch out for. As for video games, we play them. I like the Wii. And honestly, we don't play it much in the summer. But it gets us through the winter.
I love not having any TV reception! We watched the Superbowl at my sister-in-laws. I was horrified at some of the commercials- I'm glad our kids weren't watching them. I am a Lost lover, so I do watched the episodes on the internet. We have vowed never to have a game system. The negatives far outweigh any positives they may have for us. I know many look at our family as being a bit weird but oh well.
Hi Heather,
Well I say do what fits your family best. I actually love TV, but in moderation, I have no televisions on the main level of our home, but we do have a movie theater for our kids, we also have a WII, But mostly because I want my teenagers to hang out at my home, we love to play family games on the WII like rock band and Karaoke and the whole family plays, we laugh our heads off. I love that All of my children's friends hang out at our home, and I can moniter what is going on. I want my children to learn to choose what is right for themselves, we do our best to teach them what is right and then they need to know how to govern themselves.
The world is a tough place and forsure there is a lot of inappropriate junk out there, but there is some good stuff too, I guess it is a matter of sorting through it and teaching our children to do the same.
Anyway in the end I believe that you have to follow your own heart!
So do what you think is best for You and your family! Good luck!
I think TV is fine. There are a lot of educational shows, they are not all bad. Gracie loves Dora and has actually learned a few Spanish words. Plus, Jazz games, I could not live without seeing those! We have a Playstation, but really don't have the time to play with it much. I think they are both OK to have, just in moderation.
Hey Beautiful!
Though we have no children, the TV doesn't come on but maybe 3-4 times a week, for MAYBE an hour each time, nor do we have video games; this is a subject I have thought A LOT about!
Reading through the comments, I want to say Ditto to MoyesMania!
Scott and I have enjoyed many activities with our friends playing Dance Dance R. and guitar hero! And we're seriously considering buying a wii fit for fittness reasons as well. Especially now that we're away from the mountains we used to hike. The climate & terrain here can be very difficult to be "out" in during the late spring, summer and even early fall, - winter is the nice time to be out. :-) (don't get me wrong, I love the climate here, it's just different for outdoor activities. Pest control for mosquitos involves shotguns.) ;-)
If we're ever blessed with teenagers in our home, I would do all I could to keep my children and friends entertained within the walls of our own home. And like Cheryl said, I'd want to teach them to govern themselves.
You have wonderful children and I know that you have a strong and personal relationship with Lyndon & your Heavenly Father. With all of you working so well together, you'll do what is best for your family.
I sure love you and miss you dearly.
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