If I were a parent I´d also restrict video-games, TV and Internet, so that they dont become the uncreative morons this world is full of. But I would not get rid of it entirely and allow a movie, some online-time and a video-game each once a week. Otherwise the pendulum will swing in the opposite direction and they`ll do it secretly or overdose on what was forbidden after they leave home.

So, congratulations on your decision, its a good one...but a bit too much for my taste.

Originally posted by TurkeyBurgers
So now when you see your children hanging out with their friends and the group of friends get around to talking about the latest episode of "Heroes" your kid can look like a weirdo outcast Amish family who do not own a T.V. Way to go Mom! Applause!

Come on Mom! Do not tell me you have no concept of the word "Clique"?

Social hierarchy is not something that kids mimic it is something they invent. Fitting in is so VERY important to children.

Clothing indicates your social status or your wealth status in the hierarchy.

Popularity is also VERY important to children. NO kids wants to be the smelly kid or the kid who does not fit in.

Do you really think there is a "Cut off from modern means of entertainment" lunch table your children will be sitting at? All you are going to do is contribute in your child being picked last for kickball and getting a crappy horrible nickname.

Give back the T.V. and PlayStation. Put LIMITS on it.

Do your Job as a parent.

No way. These things don't matter in life.
there is obviously still a computer....you can get enough of that in any age.

Do you think it's a possibility that maybe these "outcast" kids will start bringing up other interesting things in conversation? besides the latest episode of family guy?
you seem to think that giving in to kid's wants is what makes them happy.
Later in life, when these kids have already learned how to start conversations where others can't, they'll be extremely popular.

We all know how meaningless the "cliques" in highschool end up being after graduation.
You seem to think it's of the utmost importance.
weird.

First of all I understand the motivation behind your decision AD. But i'd like to express some reservations, from my personal experience as a child and mother.

Perhaps we could start by doing an analysis of the 2 different media: books and TV.
They both have the same function: tell a story. One is written and the other visual and auditive. I think we need a bit of both. Reading inspires creativity while images gives a better immersion and understanding of its creator. I dont know if you have read and watched "Dances with Wolves", there is a part where the american flag flew into the face of Kevin Costner and it was funny. But try expressing this comic moment in writing, quite difficult you agree?
TV and books give 2 different visions and perception and personally, I wouldnt deprive my daughter from experiencing both

There is bad content in books and TV alike, probably more on TV but still you see my point. I know books used to turn me into a zombie too, i used to read an awful lot and it was hard to get me to stop! I even fell into the occult because of books and I today regret having read so much about it.

Also we dont live in the times of our elders anymore. This is a digital world. It is dangerous to completely to deprive children of the technology they will eventually have to understand and live with.
I will take my father as an example, he graduated as an accountant way back then but couldnt find a job because he is so bad with computers.

As for video games, as someone else pointed out, it really broadens one's logic, analysis and gets players to think outside the box, and also improve skills such as observation and reflexes.

In brief I believe to raise better children, we must simply control what they are watching and playing. When they are in age of understanding, they will know what is good and bad.

Too many children end up hating their parents for denying them something then spent the rest of their lives doing exactly just that.

S&F my friend, way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!! If more parents including myself would do this things might get better for our kids. As a matter of fact my daughter was up all night last night watching TV and I am mad. She waits till we are asleep then she stays up and she is only 12! I have had enough too.

Whilst this is not something I would do or ever recommend - I actually believe in moderation over complete denial - and that is practiced in my home with my daughter. I was raised in a home similar to your choices. It was not the best decision made for us (too many stories to tell).

I still think that only YOU know what is best for YOUR kids. And at the end of the day, everyone has different ways of parenting and I (nor can anyone else) tell you what is best for your kids. We can offer advice/suggestions, tell you stories of how we were raised or how we raise our kids, tell you to ask professionals, etc. But again, you know your kids and the way your family works - we do not.

So I commend you for being a parent who is genuinely concerned with the well being of her kids and who takes an active role in finding what is best for them!


[edit on 6/13/2009 by greeneyedleo]

nice move, but don't blame your kids after school if they are put aside by their fellow little nazis ( all kids are nazis, and education gets them rid of it ) because they don't know who Oprah is.
Your intention is cool, but the repercussions for your kids are still to come. Soon they'll revolt against you and as soon as they will be able to do so they will go to their friends' homes to watch tv.
Remember that.

Radical?
I think you did something WONDERFUL!

But yet, mom still has her computer...is this fair?

Also to make my second point; since I already made my first on page

three, doesn't it seem a little ironic that you discussing the banishing of

technlogical devices in your house on your computer????? This seems

to be an extrememly backwards way of thinking, like the old phrase goes

whats good for the goose is good for the gander. If you'd like to truely

instate your new form of totalitarian household get rid of your technological

vices as well. Just a 2nd thought.

[edit on 13-6-2009 by NoJoker13]

I used to be in Real Estate. I worked hard, all the time. My Wife has a degree in Micro-Biology. She managed a lab not far from where we live. When she got pregnant with our first, the plan was to have the baby, take some time off, then use day care, and get back to work. After two months of staying home with the baby, the time had come to go back to work. Both of us drove to the day care center. I remember feeling very sad that day. For at least 8 hours at a time, someone else was going to take care of my child. We got to the Day care center. I didn't like it. I was visibly upset at the prospect of strangers watching my baby. I was late for work, and had to go.

When I got there, I started contemplating how we'd make it if I left and picked her up, never to return to work again. In fact I had almost summoned the courage to do just that when My wife called crying her eyes out. She said "I couldn't do it! I just grabbed her and ran!". That day she called her boss, quit her job and stayed home to raise her daughter, our precious little poo.

I could have supported them on my income, but I had no benefits. I left Real Estate, and returned to work at a Clinical Labratory in a local hospital. The pay is half of what I used to make. But the entire family has medical, dental, and vision insurance for free. It was enough.

Two years later, we have had our second child, my son. My wife still stays home to raise and teach them. She has taken up photography, first as a hobby, and is now working to make it a paying job. It's hard to make ends meet sometimes. But not usually. Once in a while things come up, that make it hard to enjoy life luxuries, but we are happy.

We don't have Cable TV. We've never had a gaming system probably never will. We of course have a computer for my wife's photo editing, and my hobby of making informative videos.

In the morning it's breakfast, books, and sometimes, a family walk. My daughter loves books, likes to color, likes to read us stories in her "baby language", enjoys counting things, loves birds, and thinks fish are the most funny thing on earth. She plays in the dirt while her little 4 month old brother watches every move she makes.

It's funny to me. I used to be so busy. I was more busy that anyone I ever knew. Even other Type-A business folks. I had money to make, advertising budgets, clients, legal jargon, bills at home, debts to pay, food to cook, clothes to wash, a dog to feed, a child to cloth. Everything in my life was a bill. For some reason I did not want to let go of that. I am glad I did.

The absence of Television got me thinking about kids in general. There is always a big problem with ADD or ADHD. I used to watch sesame street with my daughter. It hit me one day. Every character on that show has ADD. Fuzzy little puppets flailing around like they just snorted a line. No wonder our kids freak out. And it's not just that show either, a lot of childrens programming is incredibly overstimulating. Notice the use of Vibrant color in everything designed for a child. All designed to grab attention, just watch any commercial for a new toy. Go figure.

I guess the point is, all that crap my wife and I were "so busy" with, was just that, crap. We lived in a world of self induced stress, and personally manifested business. It didn't have to be that way and now, it won't.

We lost a little income, lost a lot of expensive distractions, and gained a comfortable loving home.

Good for you.



[edit on 13-6-2009 by aravoth]

LOL I find this hilarious! Why did you ever allow this stuff to take over your life in the first place?

I know you just did what was in your mind the best thing for your kids, but you know, you just posted to an internet board.

Your kids are going to think that you're one of those, "Do as I say, not as I do" parents.

I am saying that even if you personally, didn't watch TV and play video games you obviously are online, right? What's the difference?

Your kids are watching you , honey. Don't think for one minute that they're not thinking too.