my tv is dead

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about me being "party mom." I started to really think about that concept. Am I really too easy on my kids? I realized there are a lot of things in life that my kids get for "free." I don't ask a lot of them. I don't have a set homework hour. I don't make them do Saturday's cleaning most weeks because we are too busy with soccer and dance. I don't make them go to bed until 9 on school nights. The more I analyzed, the more I started to really feel like my kids are spoiled rotten. So, I talked to Jer and we had a little family meeting. We decided to enforce the "chore chart" and until they make helping out around the house a habit, they will lose the t.v.'s they've had in their bedrooms since birth. I know - we're terrible. My pediatrician actually suggested that we put a t.v. in Josh's room when he was a baby to help him fall asleep. She said the "background noise" is soothing. Here we are, ten years and three kids later trying to brake the habit. Thank you, Dr. Anonymous.

Several times Jer has brought the subject to my attention. His concern being the cost for Direct TV in 4 rooms, safety (given that the t.v.'s were on their dressers), and the fact that they stay up watching the Disney Channel till way too late. I admit - I wasn't sure I wanted to fight that fight. I was sure all three of them would end up in our bed or that they would make 30 visits to our room each night.


Needless to say, we did it. We took the t.v.'s out of their bedrooms. No more Direct TV, no more dvd players, no more game cube... just lights out. And guess what! They lived! They survived! And so did I! It has been hilarious! They go to bed at 9 and they are asleep by 9:15. They are happy in the morning when it's time to get up (mostly). They didn't come in my room a million times every night. In fact, there wasn't really even an adjustment period. It's been about three weeks and we are still doing great. Not even a temptation. They don't even ask.


Here's the best part of the story. I was going through all of Emma's school work and came across this little ditty:

Every Monday morning at school, Emma does a Weekend News paper. They draw a picture of something they did over the weekend and then write a short story about it. This was her Weekend News. I love it! I laughed so hard!


"Party Mom" still exists, but t.v. watching in the bedrooms doesn't. I'm such a loser. I don't even think I want to read your comments. I already feel ashamed just posting this. It was therapeutic. I will learn from my mistakes. Maybe.