I told my kids the TV was broken. Four months later, I'm still pretending.
Losing our TV forced us to rethink screen time. The result was more conversation, more play, and fewer sibling fights.
The author's family decided to forgo television four months ago, replacing screens with real-life activities. Having spent months without television, they realized they had relied on screens more than they initially thought. Each time the author's children asked to watch TV, she had to muster the strength to say no. In order to protect her children from instant gratification, she told her kids the TV was broken.
The family had to adjust to the change, but found that it improved their attitudes and relationship with each other. They made an effort to put their phones down in the evenings and spent more time coloring, reading, and playing. They also went outside and engaged in pretend play. The author notes that the benefits of not having a TV were almost immediate, including improved attitudes and better communication within the family.
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