zenmomma *

>>I am not sure why people say that they can have unrestricted TV in
their house *and* also find the time to do all the other things they
want to do with their kids.>>

"Why" I say it? Well I say it because it's true, of course. ;-)

Unrestricted just means that my kids have a choice to watch or not. Casey
(9) had a friend sleepover last night. They have the choice to watch TV or
not. This morning they chose to finish a movie they got from the library
last night and then they turned it off. They spent some time painting each
other's nails and now they're off playing. Later we're all going to the
Children's Museum and maybe the park.

Conor (13) is choosing to sleep in as he does most mornings. That's because
he's usually up late listening to books. (I will say that we do ask him to
turn off the TV and computer after midnight as it keeps my dh awake.) He'll
probably get up and either go on the computer or watch a TV show before we
go to the Children's Museum where he will be volunteering. Later he'll go
bowling with his dad and friends. He has the choice to watch TV all day if
he wants. He thinks these other activities are better today. It's his
choice.

>>I say, "Bravo!" if you can do that.>>

Thank you. But it's not me doing anything but keeping life interesting.

Life is good.
~Mary

"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green
earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive."

~ Thich Nhat Hanh



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zenmomma *

>>I do think television is addictive-- our physiology has no way of dealing
>>with it, because it is so different than anything in nature, and believe
>>it or not, we have evolved over millenia to be part of nature. >>
>
>This sounds good but doesn't make clean sense to me. I hope others will
>comment...>

Well, I would guess a lot of modern conveniences have removed us from nature
more than the recent invention of TV. Houses keep us from sleeping under the
stars, indoor plumbing keeps us from peeing on trees or digging outhouses,
heating systems keep us from huddling together by the fire at night, the
electric light keeps us up past sundown when all diurnal animals are
sleeping, refridgeration keeps us from going out to gather our food daily,
etc. Are we addicted to these things or have we learned to use them for our
benefit?

As far as our physiology being able to adapt, I would say that man has done
nothing but adapt up until now. Why would this little invention be any
different?

Life is good.
~Mary

"The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green
earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive."

~ Thich Nhat Hanh






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