Last night, I went to dinner with a life-long friend, Paula.  We have been friends since I first moved to KY in 1979.  Whew! I was 8 and she was half a year older than me.  We have never lost contact, partly due to the fact that we plan occasional evenings out....sometimes with our husbands, sometimes not.  Occasionally a baby or toddler will come along, but usually it is just the two of us and we talk about everything under the sun.

She brought along with her the July 2008 Parents Magazine.  In there was an article on television.  The results were quite startling.

51 % of homes have the TV on MOST or ALL of the time.

33% of children under age 6 have a TV in THEIR ROOM!

63 % have their TV on DURING meals.

What?  What is America thinking?

Ok, I used to advise married couples to avoid have a television in their bedrooms.  Now, I am saying what on earth is it doing in your kitchen or dining room?  Or is your family all gathered in the living room for dinner? 

If you are one of those 63 perent......perhaps a TV fast would be a good thing to try.  You can start small.  Turn that thing OFF during meal time.  If you want to get serious, get rid of it all together.  If you want to get serious, but not permanently get rid of the thing, do a fast from TV all week, all summer, or all fall.  Something to break the chain of addiction to that thing.  But watch out and plan to replace the time with something else, or the kids and husband (and you) will find some equally unsuitable substitute.  Plan game nights, walks, and other fun things in it's place.

Oh, and if your 4 year old has a TV in their room, get rid of it now, before they are teens and already hooked on it.

Ok, climbing off my soap box now.  And praying for this country's children.

Malia Russell

www.homemaking911.com