Jul. 11, 2005
TV FREE WEEK
Posted in Spirit Led Learning
We have finally done it and braved the waters of going without television for a week (trial run). I felt this little prodding from the Holy Spirit to stop watching it at night, and after sharing this with some of my friends at The Christian Homeschool Corner, it was like a wave hit and several of us decided to fast from TV this week (talk about cool women
).
I am not a big TV watcher, per say, but like to watch the programs I record on Tivo at night when dd is in bed; we don't watch any during the day unless someone is sick or exhausted. Hubby and I will usually sit down after a long day and watch TV together. This was our time of "connecting and winding down," or so we thought. The reality was we were sitting in the same room together but not really talking and sharing with one another about our day or about our relationships with the Lord. We would do that at other times when we went on dates, or went for a drive, but for some reason not at night.
So yesterday was our first day of no TV and it went well. When Hugh got home from work that evening we went down into the family room ( by habit), and sat down, only this time without the added noise of TV. Hugh looked at me . . . . and then I looked at him . . and then there was this deafening silence between us. The awkward stare . . . the nervous glance . . . the uncomfortable grin. 
. We made some small talk and then Kaitlin came zooming into the room with her Animal Grossology book. We have a field trip coming up to the Science Museum and one of the exhibits is about animal grossology, so she is excited about seeing it
. It wasn't but two minutes into hearing her read that book that we all started "ewwing, grossing out" and laughing together. Oh it was a hoot! That was when the connection happened. That wonderful comfort of being with the ones you know and love best. No distractions . . just pure connection. That was a bonding moment (as weird as it sounds). I can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings. What an adventure!!
Anyone else game for TV FREE WEEK?
Comments
Jul. 11, 2005 - Living TV free and loving it
Posted by takingthechallenge
We recently had our dish disconnected and have found we don't miss it at all. On occasion we rent movies, but mainly the kids use their free time to play with each other and friends and we read or talk or go get some ice cream together. It's really been wonderful.
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Jul. 12, 2005 - Sounds great
Posted by LoneStarMama
My dc are tv free for the most part, but at night dh and I just veg out in front of it.
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Jul. 12, 2005 - Maybe!
Posted by LaMereAcademy
I'm really thinking about it. With Chandler here it makes it harder. But I can do without the TV in the evening because I love to read. I think I may do this next week, the week of the 18th. We have VBS that week from 9AM to Noon, and Chandler goes back to TX that Tues. evening. So for him, he would only have to do without for two days. BUT...I would have this mean no video games also AND does that mean NO COMPUTER for mom??? THAT would be hard! :)
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Jul. 12, 2005 - It depends . . .
Posted by Kellyque777
Hey Becky. That is so neat about your wanting to go TV Free next week. In answer to your question about banning the computer or not . . . it all depends on what the Lord shows you. If he says no computer also then so be it (especially if it keeps you from spending time with him or quality family time), but I didn't feel a check about that. The nice part about computer is you sharpen your reading and language arts skills and can keep to seeing only pure things instead of the constant barrage of yuck and muck that happens from TV. Everything else my family placed off limits (no DVD's, nintendo or TV). The whole objective of fasting is to take away a particular thing that distracts you from God's will or purpose from your life. If any of those things are a distraction then they can be eliminated as the Lord shows you. Happy TV Fasting ;-) <>< Kelly
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Jul. 12, 2005 - Good for you!
Posted by AdventureAcademy
That's great Kelly, We've done that before too and it is such a blessing. We are actually considering canceling our dish too because there are other places that money is needed right now.
Enjoy your week!
Liberty in Christ,
Theresa
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Jul. 12, 2005 - No TV
Posted by MommyInSC
We have given up TV for Lent before. After Lent, we cancelled cable. Of course dh then realized he lost ESPN and we got cable back for football season LOL.
I really don't watch TV. Have never seen Desparate Housewives, American Idol or any of that stuff. My big time drain is the internet ;) I can surf for hours. I would rather do that than watch TV!
Good luck with your week. I bet your family interacts much more and you learn some great lessons from this. Wish I could get my family to give it up all together as well. Maybe someday God will call us to do it =)
<><
Bethany
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Jul. 15, 2005 - Awesome!
Posted by majajemake
Good for you to be so obedient!!!
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Jul. 16, 2005 - comment # 17 today......
Posted by 3FoldChord
ME!!!!! Not sure if my kids will be or hubby.... But I am! (at least until CSI come back with new episodes...LOL!!! I'm bad, huh?) Actually we have done a couple months No TV from time to time. And it's about time for another TV Free spell....
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Jul. 18, 2005 - Thank you
Posted by HappyApple
Thank you for the encouraging words today on my blog. They mean a lot to me!
Here one of my prayers for the no TV week was that my husband and I would become closer.... shew! Wowzers!!! LOL
Love you LOTS, sis!
Di
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Jul. 18, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sparrow
Congrats to you. Going TV-free is a huge blessing to our whole family. We love the time we spend together, and how DIFFERENT the house feels without the option of TV. May the Lord bless your week off!
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