National Pull the Plug Week is April 21-25, and my 9-year-old is staging a protest. Sawyer was all for it when he thought “pulling the plug” meant he wouldn’t have to take a bath for five days. He’s not as keen on the idea of no television and video games for a week.
His school is offering prizes to kids who turn off the TV and put away the electronic games for the week, starting on Sunday. Everyone who participates gets to go bowling for free on Friday night.
By 7:06 a.m., Sawyer was complaining: “I’m bored out of my mind.” Sawyer doesn’t really watch all that much TV during the week, not between school, homework, play dates and other activities. But a guy likes to watch cartoons over his pancakes on weekend mornings.
With no TV allowed, Sawyer spent the day reading Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective, swimming with friends and building a pirate ship out of Legos.
About 9 p.m., I picked up the remote, figuring I would catch the evening news. “Uh, Mom?” Sawyer said, coming out of the bathroom where he was brushing his teeth before bed. “No TV, remember?”
Wait a minute. The Pennsylvania presidential primary is on Tuesday, and there's a new episode of Lost on Thursday now that the writers’ strike is over. This no-TV thing doesn’t apply to me, does it?
Karina Bland is raising her 9-year-old son in Tempe with a lot of love, humor and support from her friends and family. A longtime journalist covering child welfare and education issues for The Arizona Republic, she blogs about raising good kids.
LOL! I almost forgot about
LOL! I almost forgot about going unplugged this week. If that includes computers, how will we do our jobs? Or do we get an exception during working hours? My kids would scream about it being unfair for me to be on the computer if they can't. Of course I won't be playing video games.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
I do have to add, I'm so
I do have to add, I'm so grateful for TiVo - whether I purposely pull the plug or just am too busy. I just hope that no one talks about my favorite shows when I'm at the office.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
Hahaha! TIVO can help any
Hahaha! TIVO can help any mom get through this week like a champ! But, it is so very true. You have to be prepared to cover your ears and "LALALALALAALALALA" if you don't want any surprises to be ruined! Nothing is worse than stale TIVO'd programs!
My kids loved the "lights
My kids loved the "lights out" night a few weeks ago, we just might be able to sell a week of no T.V., as long as we light a lot of candles?!?!.
Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.
Last night my husband came
Last night my husband came home and turned on the tv. Our girls were telling him to turn it off and running from the room. He told them that it is not for adults but for the kids. I just looked at him.
This morning he turned on the tv. I asked him, as I went to shower, to please pause it when he left. He looked at me and said something about no tv. Hey, the last time I looked I am an adult, well I look like one :)
I watched the news headlines and then turned it off... I really am not much of a tv person anyway. Let's hope this no tv thing goes smoothly.
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
I LOVE the idea. I
I LOVE the idea. I definately think TV has its place, but so does reading, running, playing and swimming. I love that the schools encouraged the kids. It's amazing what an influence persuasive and good teachers and good campaigns can be!
Brooke Romney is an unbalanced mom of three young boys who constantly has too much to do, and too little time. She writes the Mom Beat column for The Gilbert Republic.