Ina, it’s only been a day, and I miss you already.

Back in the fall, we instituted a no tv on weeknights rule.

It was nice.

Until the days got shorter.

Along with my patience.

Then the tv crept back in during the week.

And before I knew it, watching the tv had become the same as drinking alcohol.

I just had to make it until 5:00.

Then letting them turn it on was okay.

But on Fridays, well, it was tv happy hour.

Straight off the bus, that shit was on.

And forget the weekends.

So last weekend, when Number 4 said,

“Mom, I think I can survive the weekdays without tv…

But there is NO WAY I’m gonna make it through the weekend,”

well, I knew we had to do it.

We had to participate in Turn Off the TV Week.

So today was day one.

In case you and your children are going through withdrawal, I thought I’d share some ideas with you.

Here is how I plan on getting through the first two afternoons and nights.

Night # 1 — Good, old fashioned reading.

Today we read.

A lot.

Everyone read to everyone.

Especially Number 4.

She was a good big sister, and she was feeling rather grown up.

One person lucky person got to read to Mommy in bed. We haven’t done that in…

…well,

forever.

Captain Underpants is very exciting.

No it isn’t.

It sucks.

But Number 3 doesn’t think so.

And he felt pretty special.

So it was a good night.

Tonight instead of watching Bravo, I’m going to read a magazine that’s been waiting for me.

I haven’t done that in forever either.

I’m actually embarrassingly excited to do it.

Night #2 — Dance Party!

When I was a kid, my dad had cases and cases full of 45’s.

If you are under 35, those are also known as records.

You know,

these:

A couple nights a week, he would whip those suckers out and play them.

For hours.

Sometimes it was annoying.

But I have a lot of fond memories of those times.

And my knowledge of “oldies” is rather impressive.

Well,  I’m really f***ing sick of Radio Disney.

The Laurie Berkner Band.

Selena Gomez.

And Austin Mahone.

I NEVER listen to my music in the car.

Or at home.

So tomorrow, my kids are going to listen to some of my “oldies.”

They need to know who the Eagles are.

And REO Speedwagon.

Yes.

REO Speedwagon.

Don’t judge.

Time For Me to Fly. That’s a great song.

They need to know some Grateful Dead.

Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Jethro Tull.

And Bon Jovi.

Some Eric Clapton.

Old school Madonna.

And definitely some Beastie Boys.

So tomorrow, instead of watching tv, we’ll be rockin to the oldies.

And then at the end of the night,

it’s gonna be Family Dance Party Game Night.

We’re going to play Name that Group.

I’ve got some work to do.

When people walk down the hall of Number 4’s dorm,

there’s gonna be some kick ass music blasting out of her room.

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