Thursday, March 5, 2009

We Killed the TV

Well, we put it into a coma, anyway.

B
and I talked about what the family could give up for Lent this year. We decided giving up watching TV would be an ideal sacrifice. Not only would we experience self-denial, but we hoped it would have the added bonus of getting us to spend more time together as a family.

The kids and I had already made the big step (and it was big for us, believe me) of leaving the TV off until 4 PM each weekday. We called it Happy Hour when we could turn the TV on. Anyway, I decided that since we weren't going to be watching the TV, it would be silly to be paying for it. So, I called and canceled the cable, unhooked the boxes and returned them. No going back now.

I haven't really missed any of my "must see" shows.
Well, maybe American Idol.
The hardest part has just been trying to think of something else to do.
The kids have drug out some board games that have been accumulating dust. We went for a walk down to the wetlands one night. I've been working on some crafts and reading. We had all been doing really well.
Until last night.
I stumbled.

Z and E were hanging out with their uncle. BJ had gone over to a friend's house. M was at youth group. B was sick in bed asleep. I had absolutely no idea what to do with myself. I didn't have to make dinner for anyone, so grabbed a sandwich at Subway after dropping M off at church. I returned home to a quiet, empty house and was at a total loss. I turned on my laptop, and watched the new Celebrity Apprentice, the 2 HOUR premiere. Does that count as watching TV? Yeah, I know.

4 comments:

Rebeca said...

Good for you! It won't be long before you're saying "I don't know when we'd find the time to watch TV!" We do watch movies on the computer, but truly don't miss having TV. I especially love not being inundated with advertising. And, as we say in the Orthodox Church, a blessed Lent!
Rebeca

Shanna said...

Wow, that's BIG, Jen! And to think of all that work B did to get all the wires hooked up, hee hee. We've never had cable, but do love to watch movies and a few shows, so I don't think we could ever do that. That's great, though-- especially all that extra family time!

Shanna

Angie said...

That is so cool. We killed the TV too. It started a couple weeks ago as punishment for the boys making a huge mess in the room where we keep the TV, but then it became so peaceful. Now going outside is the new TV....and card games....and books. Die TV, Die.

thebookbaglady said...

So funny! I love the admission about Celebrity Apprentice!

We don't have cable so TV isn't a huge deal around here. One thing, though....I am an 'info junkie'. I love 'Today', '20/20', etc. Ever since KEZI went digital, we can't get ABC anymore....or 'Nightline', which is my favorite show. Oh well.

Books on CD are fun. The library has several and they play well on the computer.