Did anyone watch Never Did Me Any Harm on the Lifestyle channel this week? It's brilliant. In the tradition of wacky social experiments four families turn back the clock on their over-indulged, tv-addicted children and make them live the way they did as children. This week the McIver family who have six kids, six televisions and a game console per child have their house converted to the way Mrs McIver lived in the 1970s right down to the outside loo. The kids had to do chores, have sponge baths, take on after-school jobs and even go on an outing all.dressed.alike. Hilarious.
This show is very timely as Firegazer and I have been discussing doing something a little similar. Not the outside loo bit, or the sponge-baths but for a two-week period taking away all electronic entertainment and encouraging the kids to discover fresh air, board-games and the ability to just play.
We already do this to a point. Inspired by my friend Fe, some years ago we banned all television, electronic games and computing for the children on weekdays. An exception can be made for homework requirements. It's fabulous, I can't imagine going back to the old way.
The kids, however, are still glued to the TV and games on the weekends. Really glued. And Firegazer isn't called Firegazer because he likes to stare at fires... I think we would all benefit from going without. Even I could do with two weeks away from the computer...I think.
We are yet to agree on a suitable two-week period. Funny that.
When we finally conduct our own Never Did Me any Harm experiment I'll let you know. Meanwhile check out next week's episode - they're going back to the 1950s, that'll be a hoot.
9 comments:
I haven't banned tv computers etc during the week - but very limited times of using them are allowed. Our weather up here can be so cold and miserable that a total ban might lead me to do something hideous to the kids!!!
I love the sound of this show - I bet it conflicts with Idol - will check it out!
Thanks for the credit, M!
It is wonderful. I feel I know my kids so much better.... and we have a ritual UNO game after dinner for entertainment now. You'd be amazed at the things that I find out about when they're focusing on cards instead of tv screens.
I, too, can't imagine going back to the "old way", but I also would struggle with 2 weeks without my computer (and my SBS favourite programmes).
*sigh*
If you do it, I'll think about it.
We too have limited TV / PS2 / computer time during the week. I haven't completely banned it as sometimes its just easier to send them to the "Playstation room" (its really the dining room, but has a little tellie in it too and so has become the Playstation Room) for half an hour or so.
Weekend mornings are another matter - they go at it for an hour or two whilst we have a lovely sleep in.
Now that the weather is nicer, I'll be starting on the "stay outside until dinner time" programme. Poor boys paw at the glass begging to be allowed inside. I just pull the blinds down ;)
I like Stacey's style! I'm going to try the 'pull the blinds down' approach too. Wonder if her boys scream as loudly as my girls?
We haven't yet introduced any playstations or nintendos into our life, although the Climber has found the games on our mobile phones and gets a go at those every so often. I still feel like television is one of the 'options' in our house for a play activity and not a 'necessity' so we're not looking at any curfews. Cherub is definitely more into it than Climber though, we still watch a LOT of Thomas.
My children spend very little time watching TV - they haven't watched it for years really. They do however spend timeon the computer - like their mother does!
UM - so does anyone else think it ironic that you should watch TV show and feel inspired to ban TV from your lives...
Tracey - I guess the only way to influence the families that watch too much TV is through the TV!
I admire anyone who has resisted the game console phenomenon. They drive me crazy. I have one child who isn't really interested and one who is obsessed.
Give up the pixel nanny?! It makes me nervous just thinking about it.
We only allow one show per evening during the week... it's the weekends that kill us too. I told Rob it sometimes feels like we are all doing separate things entertainment wise... J.T. watching T.V. or playing a game, Rob watching football, me watching a cooking show and Abby tuned out to Dora.
We are making an effort to do one family adventure each weekend, with one day a month devoted to something like playing at the park, going to the beach, the museum, etc. Last weekend was the park, this weekend is the beach... hopefully we can stick to it.
Melinda I think you're on the right track with the family adventure thing. I go on an on about the kids and Firegazer watching too much TV but don't then suggest an alternative. The alternative, of course, is the family adventure or board game or outside game.
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