TV Turnoff Week = Lots of Stinky Mamas

Like we didn't already have enough continuous minutes of tantrums, poop wiping, and drool, someone (most likely a person who has never been a mother or ever had one EVER) decided to guilt us all into turning off our televisions this week so we could all sit around in our pajamas for an extra week, roll around in our dirty laundry, and sob.

I'm waaaaaay past the point of worrying that my daughter will be damaged because she watched television before the age of two or that on some days, she watches more than two hours. I truly believe that no mother would promote a research study that says television is bad for kids.

I know. You don't have a television. But do your kids watch DVDs? Do your kids play computer games? Do you not like to shower?

Seriously, it would have been way more detrimental for me to have gone unbathed for an entire week, or unable to take a break from playing Candyland 40 some odd times in the matter of one mid-week morning. In fact, if timeout doesn't work, I take away every other thing before resorting to the "no television" punishment because Lord knows I will suffer way more than she will if the tv can't come on at least twice a day.

I know I'm an incredibly careless parent for allowing my daughter to be sucked into the vacuum that has become children's television. She can count in Spanish -- isn't that terrible? And she can identify a sloth, jaguar, and chinchilla -- how awful! And while she did tell me that she'd like to go to Sea World and Busch Gardens (gotta love effective marketing), who cares? For all she knows, the playground down the street that we frequent almost daily is just as good. (And honestly, some of those kids are almost like a bunch of killer whales).

She wears Dora underpants and sandals, she sings the Backyardigans, and she enjoys "Going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship." But she also has a voracious appetite for books, block building, and puzzles. And hell, I loved Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, and wore Miss Piggy pajamas -- and on most days, I'm a fairly fully-functioning human who doesn't eat my own toe jam.

When it comes down to it, thanks to television, I get shit done. I can eat breakfast, get dressed, and poop semi-privately all before 3pm thanks to that one blessed hour of Noggin. And on extra trying days, particularly now with two kids, I might even put a movie on in the afternoon so I don't look like I just rolled out of bed for the entire day.

So, dear TV Turnoff folks, I respectfully decline your challenge of no television for a week. And take note. If you see zombied moms wearing an inside-out shirt walking around the malls with rabid children screeching in their strollers, it's all your fault.

Now Computer Turnoff week? You might be onto something there.

Comments

[Mel]

I searched this because my five year old and husband are at the block buster. Took my kid and his friend to the bouncy thing at the farmer's market, science museum was closed, and this morning I drew, colored and did a fabulous story with action figures with my son. My son watched Sccoby Doo dvd after I napped briefly and now he is going to be watching some dvd from blockbuster. BUT, is that bad? I mean, I tried and tried all day to do activities with him... Don't we all need some veg time?

[Al_Pal]

This is SO hilarious, and really good to know. ;p
[I haven't decided yet whether or not to have kids, but I became an Auntie this year...and I'm the oldest of four, so I put in time at the diaper-changing table)

[Dawn]

I agree with you and I don't which family member would have come over for an hour a day, when my kids were little, since they all lived about 200 miles away! My kids did watch TV, and now they are both honor roll students. My kids watched less TV, in grade school, but never NO tv, for that week. Heck, I learned some Spanish, by watching Sesame Street with them!

I'm sure TV helped me get stuff done, too! Oh, and turn off the computer for a week? Noooooo! I would never survive! (Well, actually I did, the week we went to Niagara Falls in 2005, though!)

[Stay at home dad]

I so agree with you and wrote this only the other day myself:

http://wwwstayathomedad.blogspot.com/2007/04/back-to-school.html

Enjoying the blog.

Sahd.

[Mom101]

Ooh, I want to live in Rick's world where everyone has a "family member" who can stop over just for an hour each day to relieve you. Sounds great!

[Kris]

But, I DO believe in moderation and
I wont let her watch a certain few things. I also believe in sanity...

[Kris]

Yeah, I like my showers too. Also, when it's tantrum time and NOTHING will work (even 'SOCIALIZING', ahem), you've tried everything, a little bit of Sesame Street or Dora sounds good to me!

[Kristen]

Thanks for such thoughtful advice Rick. I'll make sure to call you when I need to take a shower.

[Rick]

TV is not good for babies under 2 years of age. When the baby is awake and attentive that time should be spent with the baby socializing and interacting with real people. Not a TV. I understand the need to get things done (i.e. shower, laundry, personal breaks, etc). If possible try to have family members help you out with break times during the day. Even if it's just an hour a day that they come over and spend time with the baby to give you some time back.

[tracey]

I heart all 3 of our TVs.

[Auburn Gal Always]

WonderPets, Pinky Dinky Doo, Dora, Blues Clues, etc etc etc.

I personally like Pinky Dinky Doo too!

Last week was Spring break for my kindergartener. Monday I did manage to keep the tv turned off all day. (And I missed ALL of the Va Tech stuff, but that was ok. Didn't want to explain that to my 6 y-o.) But rock on Noggin!

I even enjoy Kim Possible.

[brad]

moderation and content are the keys. theres a lot of crap out there, but if you can find the few good things that are on, the TV's definitely a life-saver.

i remember scrambling my ass off to get 1/2 hours work done while she watched a video. our first watched a fair amount of tv, since my wife and i were both FT. the kid seems to have done okay, she was accepted to architecture school and even received a couple of bucks in scholarships. hmmm...maybe if she'd watched more tv she'd have gotten a full-ride...

[Traci]

Now if only the Wonder Pets lasted an hour. Awesome. Hell, I couldn't last a week without TV, nevermind the kids.

[andi]

As always you are the voice of reason. Another (very loud) amen coming from me!

[Jamie]

When it comes down to it, thanks to television, I get shit done....

AMEN!

Sponge Bob has saved our butts so many times during that post-dinner time when my husband and I actually want to hear ourselves think.

[coffee stained]

ditto, ditto, ditto.
turning off the tv for a week would throw off the balance of my delicate universe (something that I'm not prepared to deal with having the hubs out of town for a week).

I commend anyone who has been able to do it without wanting to maim themselves or their kids. You're stronger than I am.

[krista]

we got rid of our tv a while ago. we don't even have one in the house.

i think though, that if i was home with the kids everyday, i would cave and buy one.

march break just about did me in.

[Kelly]

"Curious George" is the ONLY reason I have time to blog. Like most things, TV is great in moderation. 8 hours of it, probably not such a good thing. But a couple hours a day of Dora and Diego will not adversely effect a child.

[Fairly Odd Mother]

Hey! I smell ok! But, my kids are 2, 4, 6 and this is Year Two that we've turned off the TV for a week. To get a shower, I let them play on the computer, which I think defeats the purpose, but screw the rules. For me, it is a bit about trying out new routines and trying to get the kids to think about doing something other than staring at the screen when I clean up breakfast or make dinner (the two times it is always on). BUT, my three are old enough to play together, I don't have a newborn and I also don't work outside of the home, so I can pick up the house as the day goes along. Believe me, all those "TV is evil" people give me the willies too. I bow low to those at PBS Sprout who thought to keep kids programming on past 6pm every night.

[cce]

Uhmm, hard to say this amongst all you tv lovers, but we've had a no tv policy in my house for almost four years now. And, after a week of hellacious withdrawal they quickly learned to fill their time with doodling, lego, blocks, etc. I still shower, use the bathroom (usually with a chaperon) and make dinner. No judgment, I'm a strong proponent of equal rights parenting but just wanted to say that after some adjustment, it's really doable.

[MamaMichelsBabies]

Erm... I'm a grown adult and nothings better then sitting down at noon with my younger kids and watching Tom and Jerry with them. Something my Mom did with me when I was young. And nothin's cuter then when Bear (Bear in the big Blue House) sniffs the screen and tells the kids what they smell like, or the grin when my 4 year old has had pancakes when Bear says he "Smells all pancakey"

Not only that, but oh boy does a bit of Noggin keep them still long enough for me to grab ny morning coffee. My world wouldn't be nearly as peachy without that time.

[creative-type dad]

I couldn't agree more.

Although, I don't want that "turn off your computer week" - people could die.

[FENICLE]

So is the cable company giving me a refund for the week I turn it off?
Because Disney & Noggin are the reasons we PAY for cable!!!!

[Tracy]

Yes, yes, YES! I have felt pretty guilty about having my baby watch Sesame Street every day since she was two weeks old, but that hour a day is my sane time. And nobody can convince me that Sesame Street ever hurt ANYBODY, even if they are under two.

[margalit]

I have never understood why people feel guilty about letting their kids watch TV. It's not as if they're going to learn how to bomb the pentagon on Dora, right? TV is essentially entertainment, and since when did it become cool to decline to be entertained. Sure there are plenty of other ways to be entertained, but MY family happens to enjoy sharing TV time together. We have shows we're addicted to coughLOSTcough and we have absolutely no plans on giving them up just because some dour political sluts tell us to.

TV is good!

[margalit]

I have never understood why people feel guilty about letting their kids watch TV. It's not as if they're going to learn how to bomb the pentagon on Dora, right? TV is essentially entertainment, and since when did it become cool to decline to be entertained. Sure there are plenty of other ways to be entertained, but MY family happens to enjoy sharing TV time together. We have shows we're addicted to coughLOST and we have absolutely no plans on giving them up just because some dour political sluts tell us to.

TV is good!

[Jessica]

I so agree. How many two year olds know the alphabet and how to count to 13?
Isn't it all about making good choices? I love Noggin. How else would I eat my breakfast or have my daughter sit still for her nebulizer treatment?

[Wisconsin Mommy]

Sure, I'll turn off my TV for a week. As soon as whoever thought of this comes over to watch my son while I shower - and they'll need to do my dishes for me. And make lunch. And dinner. And do the laundry. And...oh never mind!

[melissa]

this list of reactions is enough evidence to get me to THROW MY TV AWAY, forever! Jeez-luise, listen to yourselves!!!!

[motherofbun]

Um. Yeah. There's NO FREAKING WAY I could keep the tv turned off (no movies either) for a whole week. Maybe one day if I hosted a 12 hour play date with three other kids here to keep "the boy" entertained...

Thanks for this post. I feel guilty sometimes. But knowing other moms NEED their child's tv time for sanity, makes me feel not so alone.

[roxanne]

Maybe we all didn't watch so much tv as kids, but when I was a kid, my mom could send us outside to play and not worry about all of the crazies running around. She just warned us to watch for snakes. So on that note, excuse me for wanting to brush my teeth at least once per day. anyway, even I like to watch the backyardigans!

[Flo-Queen of the Bad Mommies]

Thank you!!!! As an AP mom, I have to keep my kids' tv watching kind of a secret, lest the other AP moms kick me out in a gentle-discipline, organic sort of way. But dude, sometimes I need the break.

[Annie]

I have not turned my tv off - like everything else in life - maintaining a balance is what is key - and we do, for the most part - so I let my toddler watch noggin or pbs, completely guilt free :)

[mel]

Fools! No TV? Crazy.

I all seriousness, though. my son has Asperger's and some learning disabilities. I can spend days teaching him something through various methods (including many hands on). He will remember almost nothing. Show him a show on the Discovery channel about the exact same thing...he can remember every fact given. TV is our friend. Nice TV. :)

[Mrs. Chicken]

Oh seriously! I would never get anything done. I'd rather poke my own eye out than turn it off for a week.

[JayMonster]

Ya know, years ago when afternoon cartoons were senseless violence, I could almost agree (not that I would have agreed then), but I could see some point about the "uselessness" of television.

But as you correctly point out, done properly it is actually not only a tool for a parent that would otherwise go unbathed, it is now educational as well (presuming you choose wisely).

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Dora, or Diego, Handy Manny or a plethora of others that teach our children, and do so in an entertaining fashion that makes it easy for them to grasp.

Sometimes I think some people are just not happy unless they have something to complain about. Even if their point is antiquated and inane.

[Nancy]

I'm going to pretend like no one told me it was TV Turnoff Week.

(hands over ears, singing "lalalalala...")

[Gret]

I do miss TV.

[Mrs. Chicky]

Amen and pass the remote! I'd die without that stupid little furry red monster on the boob tube.

[SuburbanOblivion]

Let me send my 3 year old to them for a week. It's either I turn the tv on so I can shower, or I come out to the entire contents of the cabinets and refrigerator spread all over my living room.

Pass the remote.

[Melissa]

There is so much on tv for children these days. And they can learn alot, including speech from it. PBS, Nick Jr. and Disney Channel too.
Think some people get carried away with the no tv stuff alot.
I watched some tv, I loved Capt. Kangaroo and Romper Room, etc.
And I am educated and a responsible human being.

And yes, a daily shower is a GREAT thing to a mom with yooung ones. Go for it!

[Linda]

amen sister...my kids are smarter than I was at their age (my mom tells me so!). I attribute it to a lot of great kids' programming. I don't let them watch violent stuff...I make my hubby change the channel if either of them comes out of their room past bedtime and we're watching Heroes or CSI...stuff like that.

But I need my breaks. Whether it's to do some cleaning or just gain my sanity, I need 'em, and I'll get 'em, even if I have to tie my kid down and FORCE him to watch Little Einsteins and Backyardigans!

[crunchycarpets]

Thank you for saying it....
There is no way I would do it.
I mean we do actually switch our tv off...it is called all things in moderation.

my kids play outside and with their billion toys..they make me read books for hours and we play all sorts of bizarre games.

The amazing things my son has learned from his love of Discovery Kids and Animal Planet....

and we do it together..it is fun.

Yah....I looooove my tv.

[Cathy]

thankyouthankyouthankyou

(... even though i now have the blasted Wonder Pets song running ((again)) through my head ... "what's gonna work, teamwork! what's gonna work, teamwork!"

[Christina]

Couldn't agree more. There's no way we could go a day without TV. Besides, she only watches Noggin and Playhouse Disney, so it's not like she's watching CSI.

And since she doesn't go to preschool yet, some of the things she watches are teaching her - colors, numbers, animals, shapes, etc. Sure, I go over that stuff, too, but it gets boring. Better to let someone else reinforce it from time to time.

Plus, I would get nothing at all done without the TV.

[Dawn]

I love you.

lol no, really!

[BOSSY]

The mere mention of Computer turn-off week makes Bossy want to pop a xanax.

[mothergoosemouse]

Dana, I'd rather eat a trashy romance novel than read one... ;-)

Fuck TV Turnoff Week. I couldn't even sell that to my husband, let alone my kids.

[Heather]

I'm boycotting their boycott and plan to let them watch more TV than usual. ha!

[Heather]

Couldn't agree more. I need to shower and make sure they live in a house that doesn't turn into a toxic dump so if that makes me a bad mom, then I guess I'm ok with that. I'm so sick to death of crazy ass perfectionist wannabes coming up with NEW! IMPROVED! ways to make moms feel like crap. Enough already. We love our kids and we love not having body odor. Deal with it.

[Dana]

I was trying to say I read the trashy romance novels, not eat them. Joke failed. Damn!

[Dana]

This TV turn-off week is a real turn-off!

Dawson would die if he couldn't watch the Backyardigans and Blue's Clues and even Bob the Builder and Thomas the Tank Engine.

These are the shows that keep him quiet while I eat bon-bons and trashy romance novels on weekends.

No seriously.

Now that it's warmer outside, the television isn't on as much anyway. I'm held hostage by a sandbox and a bubble machine.

TV turn-off week can kiss my bon-bonned butt.

Heh.

[Much More Than A Mom]

You're so right. I hate (yes, hate) tv intended for "babies" because, well, that's just stupid, but toddler & older - it's a saving grace. It's not like you don't monitor what they watch, and how much soft porn is on in the morning anyway? ;-)
I like to think this week is directed at school age kids who have forgotten how to play after school. I teach some kids that do nothing but talk about the tv they watched the night before, and that's not so good.
Enjoy your Noggin shower today!

[Jen M.]

You let your daughter watch television??? What's next, the Betty Crocker home meth lab? If it weren't for some strategically timed DVDs or episodes of Diego, I would probably need meth myself. Screw the judgers.

[Amanda]

Who ever invented this horrible idea obviously never had children. My daughter wouldn't sit still long enough to watch anything until she was 3. Now she is 5 and I have a 10 month old. Oh, the blessings of watching Dora or the Kindergarten show so I can actually fix lunch or change out of my pajamas! There is no patience without a little peace! Amen to you all!

[Kelly]

I've been tossed, lately, between hating that he watches so much tv and reminding myself that it's not *all* bad and he's still got a deep love for Legos and cars and books. And now he can also identify certain classical tunes within the first few seconds of hearing them. He knows all the main Classic Disney characters (*very* important).

Without the tele I'd go positively nuts and the baby would never nap with a roaring toddler rampaging the house!

[Wendy]

I am not doing either. I will not, should not turn off my TV or computer. And you cant make me.

At this point, I dont care what, if anything, my kids might learn from TV. I just want some peace. Although, this whole TV thing has come to bite me in the ass. My almost 5 yr old daughter is watching Tom and Jerry. I cant stand that cartoon, but who can over ride fun daddy, right. And when I told her that there would be no Tv, yesterday, after school because I needed a little more peace. You would have thought the playroom was her very own dungeon.

You cant win. My kids are not allowed anywhere near my computer. Mommy doesnt like to share or risk the possiblity of damage.

[Jaime]

Yea, there is NO way I could survive withou the TV. How about we name this week "Boycott the TV Boycott Week!"

[Karen]

I second the amen.

[tori]

I totally agree. My son could name more animals than me from watching Diego, and could count to 10 in Spanish before he could in English. I'm not saying he should sit in front of the tv all day, but some shows are pretty educational...way more info than I would think to give to my 3 year old if we didn't watch.

[Kyla]

Yeah...we're not doing it either. I like my sanity. A lot.
For the record, my delayed/nonverbal child has learned well over 100 signs and quite a few words from the devil that is children's television. It is quite amazing. Take that TV turnoff people. ;)

[mamatulip]

AMEN.

[RLGelber]

Screw that!

[Karen]

I am so right there with you. All hail T.V.!

[Steph]

Computer turn off week? Noooooooo!

The kids are home sick today & I'm listening to Handy Manny as I type. Thank GOD for those wonderful people over at Playhouse Disney.