Today I announced to my kids the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad news that I was implementing a TV-Free Summer in our household. My seven year old didn't seem fazed, as he's not much of a TV freak anyway. But my four year old started to get a little teary-eyed. No reaction could have better cemented my feelings on why we need to do this. But I immediately followed with my "let's make a list of what we DO want to do this summer" and within a few minutes we had 45 things with a promise to list 100. I'll share that list later.
But now I sit here and think, what do I want to do this summer? I have to admit, I'm one of the worst offenders in the family TV addiction. I get sucked into something mindless rather easily and blow what little evening free time I have. I could be doing something so much more productive. Or at least putting a tiny dent into the mountain of books sitting on my nightstand.
So I just sat down and looked at the calendar and realized there are only 79 days of summer (for my kids school break). I guess I could really consider the TV free days starting now, since today we packed up our DirecTV receiver to ship it back (yay, saving some money per month too). So, starting from tomorrow through school getting out and starting back up in August we have 105 days. That's a good chunk of time to do so many wonderful things.
So here today I am going to begin MY list of what I want to do. These aren't change your life things, some are only do once. I figure I can commit to doing something once at least, can't I? .....here goes.....
1. Make something totally girly for myself
2. Have a spa day
3. Derive some enjoyment out of cooking again (I know....tall order to fill)
4. Paint my toenails
5. Pet my cat more
6. Get my but out of bed for an early morning walk
7. Listen to more music at home
8. Enjoy the moments of peace and quiet more
9. Surprise one of my friends with something completely unexpected.
10. Lose five pounds (isn't this always on my list?)
So, that's my start. I'll add more as I need to. It may only be 50 degrees today, but LET SUMMER BEGIN!
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16 comments:
Great idea. You'll have to update us on how it is going. I think my 6 year-old would react like your 4 year-old. Good luck!
That's a great list!! Might have to try that too. Summer without TV would be fine with me. Take my computer away - then you'd have a war!!
Great list
Great list!
I can't wait to see the list your kids made!
Great idea! I don't know if I would have the willpower!
Sounds like a great list to start from. Last summer I posted this:
http://unpinklife.blogspot.com/2008/06/150-ideas-for-summer-fun.html
and I added a few to it this year. Then the girls and their cousins each spent an afternoon poring over the list and made their individual top ten lists from it. I printed out a copy and crossed things off as we did them. I am happy to say each girl did their top tens- and we got a lot done off the main list. We also now have a written memory of what we did, plus we can make sure we do some things this year we didn't get to last year. You've got to check it- it's filled with lots of fun (and most are free or cheap!) ideas for summer fun. :)
You brave woman, you!! :)
That looks like a great list you have started! Enjoy your summer!
I think it is a wonderful idea. I try to keep the tv off during the day and listen to music instead. I know my parents tv died my freshman year in high school and they didn't replace it until I graduated. Funny how much our grades went up and how many activities we found to get involved in.
Great list! Enjoy your summer! :)
That is a great idea! I am a TV Junky, however my Bf and brother are computer junkies...I think I am going to make alist for myself! thank you for the Inspiration!! :)
TV free summer is a WONDERFUL idea. your kids will find so much to do out there in the world...suddenly full of time and creativity.
Very good idea! I hate our TV, eventho it's brand-new and state of the art and what not. Me, I'd get rid of it immediately, but then the hubby would cry. Lol
Have a great, TV-free summer!
Great idea! I know a couple with kids from elementary to high school who have never allowed them to watch anything but PBS and some movies. They're the most well behaved, lovely little girls ever!
Great list and great idea of a summer free of tv...honestly I'm not sure I could do it lol!
I tried cutting down on my kids TV time. My 7 year old swore he would die if he couldn't watch Animal Planet every day. Good luck!
Such a good idea! We get way too wrapped up in TV and everything today that we miss all the real stuff out there!
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