some TV hating venting

[Radiance]

I hate TV and this saving advise article reminded me of that:

http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2009/09/10/105159_why-i-want-to-trash-my-tv.html

Until recently our TV watching was reduced to 1 hour daily on weekdays, zero on the weekends. My son would watch 1 program in the morning and one program in the evening, 30 minutes each, that was it.

I have a close friend visiting for a few weeks, and our TV viewing has skyroketed. Either the TV is on or I feel like a TV patrol. I hate that.

I had to ask him to limit the TV viewing to the guest room. But it is not good enough, he helps with my son while he is here so they watch tv together, male bonding he calls it. I hate it, my son asks for the TV now, which he never did before!

I had a conversation with him and things got betterm but all I have to do is blink and even I am watching TV, what is up with that?!

Tonight I will have the TV reduction conversation again, yes today Friday, he will leave in three weeks but will leave me with TV adict toddler.

AHWWWHHH

[buildmybudget]

Take this opportunity to reinforce all the good things he is missing out on? Reading, playing outside, hobbying, talking with friends...I empathize but find a way to turn it into something good. =)

[Broken Arrow]

To me, traditional TV as we know is already extinct.

Some may still watch it, but with the internet, I can watch the shows I want to watch, when I want it. Yeah, they still have commercials, and I don't mind because the programming is free!

Well, the only exception is HD programming. However, that's still pricey, and after being used to on-demand programming, I just can't go back to the traditional TV model anyways.

[Radiance]

Don't you miss watching a screen that is a little bigger than a monitor?

[disneysteve]

I say just make him understand that it is a treat, something special because of the visitor, but it won't continue. Kind of like when we go on vacation and eat out every day or do a bunch of other things that we don't normally do at home. When vacation is over, it is back to the usual routine.

[Radiance]

I'll try but he is one and a half and doesn't talk yet...plus I have to admit I have giving in to it too.

I think buildmybudget has the right idea, I did much more of that before and neither of us ever missed that black box...

[Broken Arrow]

Don't you miss watching a screen that is a little bigger than a monitor?

Well, there are two ways to look at this.

Newer digital TVs usually have digital inputs now, such as DVI or HDMI, although even RGB will work. Conversely, you can get digital or analog TV out on a computer with nominal hardware.

Therefore, your TV becomes one giant computer monitor. (May have to tweak color settings though.)

The other is, if you're like me where it's usually only one person, then you can simply sit closer. With my computer monitor, I sit only roughly one and a half feet away, and in terms of relative size, it's actually about the same as when I sit in the middle of a movie theater! It's true, I've pinky-measured. Nor am I missing a single detail with 1080p resolution!

Viewing distance is often one of those things that can make a huge difference, and yet, is easy to overlook. Best of all, it doesn't cost anything for me to sit closer.

[wincrasher]

I see nothing wrong with watching gobs of TV.

It really depends what you are watching. It's great if your toddler is watching the history channel, or discovery or animal planet. Programs on these channels can give you lots of opportunities to interact with your kid as well as items to pursue further.

Like watching a show on Animal Planet about jungle cats and then following up with a trip to the zoo to see real live ones.

Even channels with home improvement shows, cooking shows, medical information, can all be very informative and maybe even save you money.

But you might as well keep it off if all you are going to do is watch Oprah, Springer, soap operas or cartoons.

Use the TV to expand your brain, not turn it to mush.

[arthurb999]

IMO -- depends on what he's watching. there are some "decent" shows out there.... like seasme street, dora the explorer. Granted you don't want to plop him down all day in front of the tv...

[Radiance]

Nah, I feel much more fulfilled , less stress, happier and serene when I don't watch TV.

I feel closer to myself, closer to my kid when I don't watch TV.

When I do watch it I choose good programming, and yes I love History channel and really never watch soap operas, reality TV or any drama shows.
I choose to watch TV when I am too tired to do anything else, but can not take a nap because my kid is awake.

There are also so many things I prefer over watching TV that I don't have much time for it:

Taking a nap
Meditating
Call a friend
Visit a friend or invite a friend over
Going for a walk
Take a relaxating bath
Playing with my kid
Feeding, bathing my kid
Journaling
Researching on the internet

And that is from the top of my head, hope I can add cooking to the list soon

I think I also have enough projects in my life that I don't need the TV shows to propel me, not now, maybe later as I close some - building a budget - check.

I do recognize it is a personal thing, much like anything else. TV? just not my thing.

[Cassandra]

I had to ask him to limit the TV viewing to the guest room. But it is not good enough, he helps with my son while he is here so they watch tv together, male bonding he calls it. I hate it, my son asks for the TV now, which he never did before!

I'm a little shocked that your guest is going against what you want for your son. It is your house, your son, your rules. It is not like you are asking your guest to hurt your son... just not watch so much TV!

Maybe I am being oversensitive, but I think it is a little rude of your guest to watch so much TV with your son when you don't want that.

[Radiance]

I agree, this is why I having -the talk- tonight again. And I plan to ensure I don't get my guard down from now on as I have before. It seems I have to be TV patrol.

I rather for him not to help me if the help is watch TV. I can not force him to help watch my son playing something else, but I can choose not to use his help.

It has been nice being able to have some me time in return though...I must admit.

He is a single childless man after all and he feel it is not a big deal. 3 more weeks, oh well.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Maybe I'm extreme, but I would not have a one and a half year old watch TV at all. There is plenty of time for that later. If the TV engages him now, I'm guessing he is looking for the same, better, and more engagement from the human beings around him. I really think one year olds are all about interacting with the real people and the real world all around them....Probably your visitor does not have enough insight into a one year old to know what to do with him. Or maybe he is not interested in being that involved.

[FrugalTexan75]

I agree with Joan. Each parent must come to their own conclusion/what they're comfortable with, but I know there are studies that show that children under 3 who watch tv tend to have a harder time concentrating later in life, amongst other things. It also is better for their eyesight development to stay away from the tv until older. I think one or two hours a week probably wouldn't hurt, but I personally wouldn't do more than that. (If I ever have kids they'll watch dvds of Sesame Street and Mr Rogers or Bill Nye, etc. )

[moneybags]

I'll try but he is one and a half and doesn't talk yet...plus I have to admit I have giving in to it too.

Don't underestimate him. I'm sure he understands a lot more than he can put into words. I think parents sometimes fall into a trap thinking a 1-2 year old doesn't understand them.