I have a confession to make.
I’ve been using the television as a babysitter.
Two days ago, I actually yelled the words,
“IF YOU DON’T SIT ON THE COUCH AND WATCH THAT TV I AM PUTTING YOU IN A TIME OUT!”
It’s not even an effective babysitter anymore.
Bit by bit, I let the kids watch a little more here and a little more there.
I’ll try to squeeze in just one more thing and let them (or now, make them) watch 15 more minutes.
My night time routine has turned into me trying to catch up on computer stuff while they stare at the television.
The kids used to watch one 30 minute show before bed.
30 minutes turned to 45 minutes.
Then an hour.
Now it’s sometimes even more.
It’s become a little bit out of control.
I used to read a book with Numbers 3, 4 and 5 before they went to bed.
I haven’t done that in about 2 months.
The last person telling them a story before they go to sleep now is Cee Lo or Christina or Blake.
Or Adam.
That’s not right.
Plus, I need to save Adam for myself.
I’m not about to tell you that we are foregoing the television altogether.
Because if I’m going to be honest, if this is really a confession, I’m just not ready to give up Homeland and Ray Donovan and,
yes,
I’ll admit it,
Vanderpump Rules.
But it’s time to make a change.
My kids are missing out.
One of my fondest childhood memories was playing cards and board games as a family.
We never do that.
Never.
There are several reasons for that.
But the biggest one is that up until 2 weeks ago, there was never a clear surface anywhere in this house on which to place a game board.
Thanks to Operation Organization, I can’t use that as an excuse anymore.
Why limit that dining room table to family dinners?
We need more time around that table.
So today, I’m firing the babysitter.
Or at least cutting back on her hours.
It’s time to make some memories.
Let the games begin!
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I hear ya. I have the TV on at 6 am so I can sleep a little longer and then again when I’m trying to make dinner. My almost 4 year old lives it. My 1 year loves it for a little while. I feel awful that I let my 1 year old watch TV!
Speaking of Vanderpump Rules, tonight I’m going to my cousins wedding and one of the bridesmaid is a waitress at Sur. She does cameos on the show. The one who has “the first Sur baby” as Lisa said. Haha. Its funny because we live in PA…far from CA. Lol
Anyway…I’m a TV junky myself…
And *this* is why I read your blog. I was definitely guilty of this when my kids were younger. As my kids have gotten older it’s been easier and easier to just let them hang out together or on their own. Sometimes they prefer it that way, but I know that they like to do things together and even if they don’t, it’s good for all of us to do things together! Thankfully my husband is usually the leader who gets us to play the games or do activities and though sometimes I don’t want to do it, I’m happy we did it when it’s over. Well, most of the time I’m happy. Sometimes he’s all “let’s play a game” and the kids are all, “we don’t want to” and then we’re all, “YES, we’re playing a game!” and then the kids are bratty during the game because they didn’t really want to play and in the end we’re all frazzled and annoyed and just need to go to our separate corners. But that’s only some of the times. The other times end with rainbows & unicorns. 😛
And may the odds be ever in you favor 😉
What a great idea! I loved boardgames too. Must start this also. Thanks for the tip.
So true, we have four kids five and under, and on nights when it’s just me at home, we rely heavily on TV entertainment. Can’t wait for all of our kids to be old enough for board games!
Doesn’t have to be board games, though! Last night we sat on the floor and played with the blocks with our little ones 🙂
The other night we played Trouble. The little ones were just putting their pegs in any hole and they would hit the bubble 3 times per turn. It was fun…listening to them count 1..2..8..9..11