The TV Gremlin

Man do I get mom jealousy. I get envious of the moms who can stay away from technology like their phone or computer or the TV. I get frustrated with myself with how much TV I allow my children to watch every day. I let the TV gremlin sneak into our house and it is basically impossible to get rid of. I depend on it now.

I am not saying that I am against TV watching. I am just ashamed at how much we watch. It isn't on all day, but it is on for about an hour in the morning and probably 2 at night, which if you read any study of TV and toddlers is completely frowned upon.

Even knowing that much TV watching is bad for my kids, I still turn it on to keep peace in my house. It is a useful tool that I am not strong enough to get rid of completely.

So, I have at least trying to limit it. I am trying to keep us out of the house doing things that keep us away from the TV. I am not strong enough to not give in, so just not being home helps a ton.

I try to be specific on the shows that they are allowed to watch, so when they are over, the TV gets turned off.

We are reading more library books. I found that Calan was getting bored with the books that we have, even though we have a ton. Some how the idea of a new library book gets his attention and excitement.

I am trying to put my phone and computer down, which is why blogging has become way less. I need to set a better example and looking at my phone every 5 seconds doesn't help them in anyway.

Wouldn't we all love to be the Pinterest Mommy? The one who has it all together and is teaching their children so many fun things in so many fun ways, or at least that is the way it seems to me.

It was so much easier to do more with just one child. Calan did get a little gypped since he only had a year of my full attention. The fact is I only have so much patience, hands, and time. Some times the TV is a little bit of a sanctuary. It does restore some peace in my household when the whiny, destructive monster attacks my son.

I wish I could be the mom who says my kids never watch TV. I am so jealous of those moms. But, I know that I am a good mom. I know that TV is not necessarily going to kill my kids. But, I know that we could be better. So that is what I am going to strive for. We are going to try and be better.

Yep, they're watching TV. I was trying to get a picture of
them looking at me and smiling and all I got was Calan smiling at the TV.