Electronics are taking over the world. We play with them, work with them, talk on them, text on them, video chat on them, make money on them, lose money on them, watch them, ignore them. So unless you've given up your t.v., cell phone, iPad, radio, and everything else in this large category you might enjoy this reminder.
1) Never make yourself/child finish a movie.
- if it's stupid, inappropriate, or you've run out of time, just walk away.
2) Do something during the movie
- play with toys/ do handcrafts/ color a picture/ fix something that's broken.
3) Set time limits/ turn off a show before the next one come on.
- we all know that T.V. shows are geared to pull you into the next one! Don't fall for it!
4) Make "no electronic" zones...(ex. dinner table, vacation, bedrooms)
- T.V. time is not bonding time anymore. (if ever).
5) Don't watch T.V. alone (whether it's on your phone or on the big screen)
- you watch more T.V. when you are watching alone, and will turn off inappropriate material less often when no one is there to keep you accountable.
6) Make yourself/child step away from the T.V. when something necessary comes up.
- Don't cater to the commercials or the show, keep people and priorities first.
7) Turn the T.V. off when company comes. (unless they're there to watch it)
- This is especially important for children - to teach them respect and priorities.
I tend to use movies as a babysitter, while I'm working on the computer or need some alone time. But it's better to teach your children to work along side you, and to have a quiet time of their own (Even if they don't nap anymore) Like usual it boils down to our consistency and our perseverance in teaching our children, and the continual battle of discipline for ourselves. There are plenty of research articles out there that prove that watching T.V. or using electronics to zone out are not relaxing or beneficial for us mentally, emotionally, or physically.
Sarah
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