Week of our partial tv fast.  The (original) rules: No tv until after 6pm.

So we began our television fast the hottest week of summer!  Ninety degree temperatures plus high humidity gave us days that felt like 104 degreees for 3-4 days in a row! 

Yet, we did better than I expected.   It was so hot that no one wanted to do anything but lay around and be still.  I allowed 30 minutes in the afternoon, and they always picked DVDs' to watch over regular television.  I noticed the kids played more together, and when tempers did flare, it was easier to calm them down.  I felt alot more productive as well, but tired at the end of the day.  I promised myself that I would try to be available whenever the kids wanted to do something that needed my inclusion.  So I was more active.  But this is helping me rethink my own routines and how I can take care of my to-do list during the kids "off hours".   After dinner we only watched tv about half of the time. 

Now Saturday and Sunday were challenging because dad was home, and it was the NFL Hall of Fame Weekend, which is the official start of football season in my home.  So ESPN was on alot.  But I got the kids to go out with me Satuday morning in place of their cartoons, and we listened to "Down Giliad Lane" and Adventures in Odyssey" while running errands.  And dad joined us for an afternoon trip to the library. 

I am noticing how the kids are asking to watch television less, and they are watching less tv programming and more videos.  My prayer is that after a month of this, this fast will become our regular viewing habits.  Check back to see how week 2 went!