Submitted by: Kristina Ratzlaff
Until we did this challenge I didn't realize how much we watched TV. The routine was to get up in the morning at 7 AM and turn it on. I am currently on a maternity leave and had a really bad habit of just turning it on and leaving it on all day. The only time the TV was turned off was when we left the house, but the kids are not in front of it all day, I just had been leaving it on for the noise.
I have 3 children, Elizabeth is 4, Benjamin just turned 3 and Brayden is 6 months. After tracking how much TV they really do watch and making more of an effort to shut the TV off when they are playing, and try to get them outside when the weather is nice, I think we have all changed our habits for the better.
Instead of leaving the TV on for noise, we are listening to music. I find that the kids are playing more in the playroom and spending less time in the living room when the TV is off. We have also been making more of an effort to go outside when the weather is nice, going for walks, playing on the swing set and just digging in the mud, which we have a lot of right now. I have also involved the kids more in the cleaning up of the house and working out in the yard.
I have seen a big difference in the kids sleeping better because of all the activity and fresh air, even the baby is benefiting in this regard and therefore so does Mom.
I think this challenge has helped us to spend more family time together and a little less mindless TV time. We still have our movie night, watch morning cartoons and sometimes a program during quiet time when the baby naps which gives mom time to herself as well.
I really think that this challenge was a great idea and a great way to help people to realize the activities they can do with their kids when they just turn off the TV.