The Hip Mom's Guide to Television, Part 2

Before I had kids, I thought that if I ever stayed home with children, we'd have leisurely mornings and watch TV together - back then it was all Barney... I probably thought we'd bake cookies afterwards, too. Of course, you can tell that I hadn't had kids yet! I don't know a mother with infants or toddlers who would ever describe her mornings as leisurely. Mine certainly weren't. Another thing that changed after I became a mom was the whole 'TV in the morning' idea. When my first son turned 1, he got a video for his birthday. I was amazed at how he would sit there, entranced by the noisy, colorful box. I thought about all of the things I could accomplish without worrying about what he'd get into. I could get a shower, start dinner, read a magazine! But it wasn't long before his sitting there, staring - was he breathing? - started to bother me. Still, it took a few years before I decided that TV wasn't our best option. Packer games, yes. The Olympics, of course. Even American Idol made the cut last season. But based on experience and research, my kids don't have any regularly daily programming. Sure, they've seen Spongebob and Animal Planet, they just don't watch them on a regular basis. So here's my question for you: Does less TV appeal to you? Do you wish your kids watched less than they do? If not, then you're probably using TV in the way you want to - the way that works best for your family. But if this whole conversation makes you a little uncomfortable, maybe you're up for some change. If less TV sounds enticing but impossible, start small. What is just one thing can you cut? Moms who have done it, share your parenting wisdom and give us some tips. What works for you? -Kirsetin Morello