We currently have cable TV, but have decided to turn it off. We plan on getting a conversion box and just doing regular TV. My question is How do you prepare your family to go to just regular TV? Also What would some of you do to fill the void of TV you won't be able to watch?
My advice - rent movies! You can even rent TV episodes at Blockbuster (they have an online site too - www.blockbuster.com) and have everything from Dora to Little Einsteins and tons more!
I think you'll be surprised by how little you'll miss TV. We don't have any TV at all--we have one old 13 inch TV set hooked up to a DVD player, but we don't get any broadcast anything. My DD knows that she can watch one, 20-minute DVD episode per day--right now we have JayJay and Dora, but she always picks Dora. We check those out of the library, so we can rotate every 2 weeks without spending any money. I think that a lot of people keep the TV on in the background, just for noise--and you really don't need that. Pay attention to what you're actually doing, e.g. playing, reading a magazine, whatever. I even sort laundry in silence, and really enjoy the quiet time to think after DD is in bed. You can also play music, if the house seems too quiet for you. I thought I'd miss TV a lot when we got rid of it--I was a bit addicted--but I really don't. We all have PLENTY to do--read books, play games, my DD (at 20 mos!) even "helps" cook and sort laundry! My friends and family often ask me how I have time to do everything I do--a full time job, a toddler, and, for example, hand-making everyone's Christmas presents--and my answer is, I don't watch TV! Enjoy the time with your family!
Just tell the kids this is a decision you and your husband made so you can spend more quality time with them. We did this when our kids were younger and it was great. Instead of watching TV, you should start playing card games and board games with them. It's very important for kids to learn to play these types of games, not to mention it is a lot of fun! It provides great bonding time and teaches a lot of social skills (turn-taking, learning that we don't always win, encourages conversation, and so much more.) I am a speech pathologist and I can't tell you how important it is to a child's overall development for them to play interactive games at a young age. Have fun!!
We canceled our cable and it hasn't fased my kids my that much. They play on the computer, and I still get my desperate house wives fix on my internet too.
I would start limiting the time the TV is used now, so that when you switch and there is nothing to watch it won't be such a shock. I would also start a family time where everyone plays a board game or video game together. This will keep everyone busy and they won't miss the cable.
Good Luck!
T.
www.TFJPhotography.com/blog
Heard on NPR recently a study on the most intelligent people in the US. The one thing they had in common was they read a LOT at an early age.
Books, games, outside activities, cooking.... cleaning out closets, organizing.... there's more to life than television. DVD's from the library
The cost of membership at the zoo is about the cost of one month of cable. Games, games, games. You can get more active and do the park. Do something other than sit at home and watch a video that way your kids are less likely to complain about not having the TV.
We bought a DVD recorder to record some of our shows that our PVR used to do for us. For Christmas and birthdays I asked for videos of the shows that we no longer had, i.e. Dora and Deigo, etc. WE really transitioned well, but we really don't watch too much either....
We made the switch you are about to make about 18 months ago. For us, it was about cutting back financially. We didn't do anything to 'make the transition'. Although my kids complained a little for the first week or so, it has been the best thing we've ever done for our kids. Getting homework done is easier, they are less likely to want all the 'stuff' advertised on cable TV, and they even play outside more. The kids figured out on their own how to fill that void. Now we watch QUBO, and PBS which are more wholesome shows anyway.
I will say that we all miss Discovery channel, and the Food Network, but it's a small price to pay for the huge benefits we've gained.
Hope that helps.
