I have not ever thought of myself as anything of a control freak. I've never considered myself one of those people to shun change or otherwise cling to the safe and known. (Thus spake the born/raised/permanent Kansan?!)
I am finding, however, a particularly sticky wicket in parenting: control. I knew it was coming. I knew it even when my wife was first pregnant. I figured it would spiral out of control the more I was away from the house, the farther the children strayed from the bosom.
I was right. I am still in the early pains of it and I know there is much more to come. That does NOT make it any easier or more palatable.
What's so out of control in my home and fortress? TELEVISION and COMPUTER TIME.
This is worse than losing the battle on pop, on bed time, on co-sleeping, on toys....because to me, these are stealing the very childhood right from under the kids. They are exposed to such horrors through television that I won't even write about them here (again). Computer time is now so charming it is winning them from the great outdoors, even from board games and 'rasslin' with daddy.
I hate those two elements in my home. I think they should be regulated (not by the gov't!) very strictly, frankly even as cautiously as PORN. (Maybe even more rigorously, if you really want to know my opinion.)
I know and believe in the educational powers of these media. One can make great gains with Mavis Beacon or the History Channel. I'm all for those. I'm just hating on everything ELSE.
You know I'm miffed as much as I've used ALL CAPS in this post.
(sorry for the rant)
listening to Daft Punk "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."
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1 comment:
We homeschooled and lived in the country and limited computer and TV time for our kids. It did not kill anyone. If this is really bothering you then limit it. Unless you are alone in this decision? I don't know the situation. Cancel the satellite tv cause trust me, there is not much on regular. In time you will probably lose this battle, especially with internet/cellphones. But your kids are young yet, so control it.
By the way, my kids are the most inventive young people you have ever seen. Two have started their own business and two went to college. Not bad for 20 something kids. (and they still do not watch much TV)
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