How to Survive Without a TV
Turn Off the TV - Permanently?
For various reasons, mostly what you would call religious, I grew up without a TV in the home. My brothers and I (and my parents) read books. LOTS of them. We would go to the public library every week and take home 30 books or so in a box. And we read them! It was great, and we never thought we were missing out until we became teenagers. When we went to a friend's house, we would just sit and watch TV - like a moth drawn to a light, there was nothing else in our world when a TV was nearby.
Other than those times, however, we survived. And survived well. We had top grades in school, which I think is linked to not having a short attention span due to a lot of TV watching. Reading assignments were easy to complete, although usually boring. (There is a difference between Nancy Drew & Shakespeare!)
After moving out, I still did not own a TV. After I got married, we decided to keep it that way. We did get high-speed internet so we could watch the news if we wanted to. And even though full episodes are available online to watch, and movies, we choose not to watch them because it's full of junk! TV programs, at least 99% of them (including the kids' programs), promote ungodly traits and habits. Dirty humor, lying, stealing, alcohol, drugs, etc... It's all promoted via TV. Do I want my kids to learn these things? I grew up naive and protected, and I'm glad I did. I want my kids to be the same way. Also, it will help them in school.
So what do you think? Is it worth it to get rid of your TV? Could you survive? What about your kids? What about your money? Cable is not cheap! You probably have cable, and that bill could be gone forever! :)
Spend time with each other, with your kids, & your friends. Read a magazine or two. Cook a nice dinner, or make some cookies (mmmmm). Get the sleep you deserve! Do your toenails... There is a lot to do, and there will be more time to do it if you turn off the TV.
Published by KristyF
I am a telecommuting mom of two kids -wife of one husband. :) I do accounting for a small real estate company specializing in foreclosures. My kids are ages 1 and 2. I am a born-again Christian and I lo... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentNow if I could turn off the darn computer! I think the reason I love the 'net, is it is interactive; I read your article and now I am replying; then moving onto something else. Television does offer some good entertainment; but it distracts from living life.
I grew up with TV and was married to a man that turned it on first thing in the morning and when arriving home; he had it on right up until bedtime. Caused a lot of fights. My daughter's husbands are the same way. I do love movies, but television became a last resort for me, when there was absolutely nothing better to do. When I tell people I don't watch television, they seem to think I came from the moon. I do have a portable one and plugged it in the other week and watching reminded me of all the reasons I can live without one.