We let the kids watch their morning shows....so Sean and I can get a little extra shut-eye in the morning....the girls were in such a zone that the baby wiped poop all over the carpet...right in front of them. I don't expect them to babysit, but when someone is damaging property...I expect them to report it. There were a few other things that set me over the edge that morning so I declared that we were unplugged.
There would be no iPad, computer, or TV unless it was for school or we were watching something as a family such as a movie. They could still watch their DVD's in the car...the car has been so peaceful since we upgraded to the minivan.
The kids didn't really watch very much during the day. A program or two in the morning, depending on what time they got up and then something after naptime. I would occasionally let them watch something right after lunch while I was cleaning up. On the weekends it would get a bit carried away. Sean is usually gone all morning riding his bike and then I am gone in the afternoon running...so the TV was on most of the day.
I realized...not just because of the poop incident...that we just don't need the TV or electronics to survive. They have plenty of toys. Toys to the point that I just want to throw up. They have plenty of games. Puzzles. Artsy type things. Crayons and coloring books. They have each other.
I have several friends that don't even have TV's in their house. They have survived.
Has it been a bed of roses here since we have unplugged?
No. Not at all. I don't really get quiet time...at all until the kids go to bed or if I am at the Y.
It is a lot noisier here. I guess the good thing is they are playing with their mountains of toys...makes me want to throw up just a little less.
It is A LOT messier here. I can no longer use the TV as a bait...if your room isn't clean in such a such a time you can't watch TV. Now I just take away snacks...we are going on two missed snacks in a row today...they will learn.
But they are playing. They aren't zoning out. They aren't picking up bad habits from characters on TV. They are surviving.
I don't know how long I will continue to have the kids unplugged...but so far...it isn't that bad.
I am curious...how many of you have your kids unplugged? A friend gave me a good suggestion of turning everything back on at 4pm on Friday if things are finished up for the week. That isn't such a bad idea...and I am considering it.
Just curious as to what other do?
and here are a few photos from today....this was after the girls supposedly cleaned their room...um...say what??? They must need their eyes checked. I am tempted to get a trash bag and add it to the other trash bag full of toys in the garage...they haven't missed those toys...they surely won't miss these.
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