CAN THE GUINNS: Go 1 Month Without Television?

Well, Its Monday, May 2nd, and it is 9:30 pm. The Guinn family has successfully completed day 2 of our "No TV" month. And, of course, on our first day, President Barack Obama announced, on a TELEVISED speech, that Osama Bin Laden had been killed by US troops. Thank goodness for msn.com. Yes we watched this on the computer. No, its not cheating!
So, you may be wondering to yourself "What is the big deal about TV? Why would you want to go a month without it?" Well, I will tell you!
One thing I had noticed lately is how much our familes' routine was spent with the television- especially my boys. When they woke up- breakfast with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Before their morning bath they would beg to finish their "pirate show" first. Throughout the morning I would keep it alternating between the Disney Channel, Nick Jr, and OETA. At 11:00 if we were home, We were hanging out with Dora. At 1:30, Barney would come over and stay a while, finished with Sid the Science Kid and George. To finish off the day, we would pop in a barney tape ( yes, tape, as in VHS.....I found a VCR and a ton of Barney movies while garage sailing last summer) and they would wind down to the purple dino's lullabies. Not to mention the movies we would pick up from the library or Family Video ( KID MOVIES ARE FREE!!!) Granted, during these shows, the boys would get up and play with other things, and werent always interested in them fully, but I knew we had a problem. Really, I had the problem.
I do admit, that tv has been a coping tool for me. It all started about 2 and a half years ago. Need to do the dishes? Barney can help! Wanna fold laundry without having to lose patience? Pop in a Thomas the Train rental! As much as I hate to admit it, I let my kids zone in front of the television so they would stay "out of my hair" long enough to go to the bathroom without having to watch little fingers under the doorway beg for me to come out.
Ive wanted us to try to do this for a long time. Ive seen movies where children fall asleep on their mothers' shoulder when shes reading them a bedtime story. I've wanted that experience, DANG IT! But, noooo I've programmed my children to blow a gasket fighting each other over if its going to be "Barney Goes to School" or "Barney's Birthday". I knew we need to take action.
Luckily for me, I have a really supportive husband, who thought this idea was long overdue.
So, it was settled:No TV for the month of May.
There are only a couple of exceptions- I have a 30 day Shred video with Jillian Michaels that I like to do before the boys wake up and in the case of a severe weather outbreak, you better believe I'm plugging that sucker back in.
So, in place of the boob tube, we have done a lot of reading. At night I will be reading the same Bible Story books I remember my dad reading to me when I was their age (Another Flea Market Find) AND GUESS WHAT! I got them to fall asleep while reading to them last night! Ahhh. I already feel accomplished.


HOW WE BROKE THE NEWS
I told them both of the tvs are broken. I know some of you (probably those of you who do not have children) probably think poorly of me for not sitting them down and explaining the whys and what nots of the decison we made to turn off the tvs and blah blah blah. Ive already heard it. Yes, I lied to my children. I'm not above that. Bite me.
It was difficult yesterday, especially since they had their 3 year old cousin staying over, and out of habit I walked over to the DVD cases....but- they really dont care so far! They're having fun and I hope this will help them with creativity and learning to be more independent as well. I'm still excited about this. Wish us luck!! Thanks for reading, Stayed Tuned!