WE decided to turn off the TV for a week, to see what effect it would have on our children, aged 4 and 2 (well, nearly 5 and 3).
The guilt of plonking them down to mindlessly absorb Blaze, Dora and a host of others was becoming a bit much.
It bothered and also slightly impressed me that my four-year-old son knew all the characters by name.
Don’t judge me. Cartoons have come to the peace-inducing rescue on more than one occasion, usually to allow the frazzled parents to get their lives organised.
Despite this, we always maintained an ‘Absolutely No TV During Supper Rule’. When that was starting to be compromised, in the name of getting our daughter to eat, it was time for change.
“She can’t live on air,” wailed mom. “She says her tummy is sore, no wonder.” More lamentation from mother.
It’s usually a ruse to distract mom.
After much discussion we decided there would be no TV at all for the children for a week. Parents could watch cricket and golf later. And CSI of course.
We put it to the test.
DAY 1:
The kids asked about TV a few times. I just said ‘no’. They stared at me for a few seconds and then ran off to get the Uno cards.
Their mom had taught them the basic rules the day before, but she was cooking now and so Dad sat down and played.
They loved it. Played it at a snail’s pace. A very, very slow snail at that. And broke plenty rules.
They didn’t really understand the concept of having to pick up cards as part of being punished, (the dreaded +4).
In fact they thought it was something to aspire to. “1 … 2 …. 3 …4”.
We got through a few rounds before, mercifully, supper and Mom arrived.
I admit I badly wanted to turn on the TV to watch IPL cricket.
DAY 2:
Only one mention of TV. This was probably offset by the fact that I had played a song on my phone that appealed to them, and they started jumping around the room.
The song was American Music by Violent Femmes. Funny, when I was much younger I thought this song was really ‘hard core’, way out of my Nerd League.
Now it seems somewhat tame, although I was a bit startled when my daughter started singing it on the way to school the next day.
Later we played Snoopy and the Red Baron (more my style), and when Mom emerged from the kitchen, we all danced to an old Beach Boys classic, Then I Kissed Her.
That was pretty fun, but it got a bit wild (no, not the kissing – swinging the kids around) and I am sure that’s how I twisted my knee because I have been hobbling a bit since then.
Caught the last over of the IPL game that night.
DAY 3:
No mention of TV. Or Uno, thank goodness. Or songs. Instead this time around it was sack races, with pillow cases used for sacks.
Everything was fine until in one race, my daughter beat my son, who wasn’t concentrating and got off to a slow start.
Things got fired up and kids went sprawling across the carpet and into couches.
Mom the Umpire emerged just in time to avoid anyone getting a red card.
There were also one-legged hopping races. Actually, this may have been where I twisted the knee.
Missed the cricket altogether.
DAY 4:
This was a public holiday and I can’t actually remember what we did.
Oh yes, a new board game was purchased, Snakes and Ladders.
It was fun for the first 62 games. That game now goes everywhere with my son.
He could play it almost non-stop if permitted. Fortunately, he came up with a method of playing solo, against the snakes.
He finds this a challenge, a different type to when his sister hurls the dice across the room, sits on the board, and knocks the markers off their spots!
We also went to a birthday party for a three-year-old, which was fun (sort of).
Didn’t even think about cricket.
DAY 5:
There was no school so the kids spent the day at Ouma. They may or may not have most definitely watched TV. And eaten some sweets.
When we got there that evening they were bouncing off the walls and more interested in Snakes and Ladders than TV, so Friday night IPL wasn’t going to happen in a hurry.
At least Ouma cooked the dinner, so Mom played a big role in the game.
“I think we should get Monopoly tomorrow,” said the wife, later on, when the kids were asleep.
I pretended to ignore her as a I clicked off her crime channel and on to the golf channel, allowing the green fairways and soothing commentary to bring peace and quiet.
TO SUM UP:
I would not say that the children have instantly become more obedient or suddenly intelligent.
I was surprised that they didn’t moan more about the lack of TV; and impressed at the initiative shown at wanting to play the different games.
Would love to know how other parents have handled the TV issue with small children.
Perhaps you would like to let us know by leaving a comment below, or on our Facebook page.
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