30-Day No TV Challenge Final Update

OK, so today I can't go a whole week without turning on the TV for DearDaughter. As my pregnancy has progressed, I've had to use the TV as a baby-sitter just to help me keep DearDaughter occupied as I do chores.

So, what have I concluded to myself:
1. I will have at least 1 day where DearDaughter watches absolutely NO TV at all, but I will at least shoot for 2 days (both Saturday and Sunday). On those days I can depend on not getting much done as far as chores are concerned.

2. DearDaughter does not watch anything other than the educational shows on PBS, therefore, she isn't being badly influenced by what she watches.
.....These are the currently approved TV shows she's allowed to watch by me (not necessarily all in one day):
.....- It's a Big Big World
.....- Sesame Street
.....- Mr. Roger's Neighborhood
.....- TeleTubbies
.....- Clifford
.....- Curious George

3. I must spend quality time each day with DearDaughter, interacting with her to help her learn new skills and to challenge her mental abilities and to just have plain old fun.

4. Lastly, I must keep in mind that my main goal in child-rearing is that...

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Drawing made on 5-30-07

I will train DearDaughter in the way she should go. Teaching her when we walk along the road, when she lies down and get up. I will tie this way as a reminder on her hands so when she is old she will not turn from it. (Reference from Bible)

30-Day No TV Challenge Update #1

Well, we've had some set-backs during this challenge. I was so sick on Thursday, April 12th, that all I could do was turn on the tube when DearDaughter got up and it stayed on for most of the day. Then, since DearHubby and I have both been sick, the tube has been pretty much on to keep DearDaughter entertained. So, DearDaughter watched a lot of TV on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, (even) Sunday, and Monday.

We got back on track yesterday, Tuesday, April 17th. It was a difficult day as DearDaughter kept walking up to the TV wanting it on. She was very fussy and needed a lot of attention, especially in the morning. After setting her down for an hour in her room by herself (normally her nap time, but she decided to play in her crib instead) she came out into the living room area like a new person as if she didn't know what TV was. She'd have a moment here or there where she'd walk up to the TV as if it were on and just stare at it, but otherwise, she did really well in the afternoon. She watched a total of 30 minutes yesterday. I was very proud of her. Also, up until last Thursday when we began our set-back, she was averaging about 45 minutes to 1 hour of TV a day.

It sure has been a challenge, but I'd like to stick with it. I found that during our set-back DearDaughter was glued to the TV and could seriously just have sat in front of it all day long. TV really is a mind-sucker. On those days where we have been diligent about limiting TV time, DearDaughter is "forced" to use her mind and her imagination to play and learn.

30-Day No TV Challenge

I'm an Organizing Junkie is hosting a 30-Day Organizational Challenge. This inspired me to do my own 30-Day Challenge, but this one's called the "30-Day No TV Challenge". I realized that I began to use the TV too much as DearDaughter's baby-sitter. Sometimes DearDaughter would be in front of the TV for as much as 4 hours a day and she's only 16 months old!!! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children under 2 years old watch NO TV at all. Therefore, I have decided that I will no longer depend on the TV to "entertain" DearDaughter and that I will have to work harder to discipline myself and structure my time and DearDaughter's time better.

I will not stop the TV altogether though. DearDaughter enjoys 2 shows, It's a Big World and Sesame Street, on PBS. Therefore, I will still allow her to watch 1 hour's worth of TV in the morning. I have also found that these 2 shows are very educational and when I watch these shows with her, we have a lot of fun "learning" together.

My first day of the challenge was Wednesday, April 4th.

7:30 - 8:00 - Breakfast

8:00 -8:30 - Art Time

8:30 - 9:30 - TV Time

9:30 - 9:50 - Bath Time

9:50 - 10:15 - Mommy Time (read and sing)

10:15 - 11:30 - Nap/Playpen Time

11:30 - 12:00 - Lunch Time

12:00 - 1:00 - Run Errands

1:00 - 1:30 - Music Time

1:30 - 2:00 - Imagination Time (role play with doll)

2:00 - 2:30 - Snack Time (free to play whatever)

2:30 - 3:15 - Mommy Time (read and sing)

3:15 - 4:30 - Nap/Playpen Time

4:30 - 5:00 - Exercise Ball Time

5:00 - 5:30 - Block building Time (I set up a block building station for DearDaughter)

5:30 - 6:00 - Firestation toy Time/Free Time

6:00 - 6:30 - Dinner Time

6:30 - Bed Time (Night Night)

I found that DearDaughter was happier with the structured day and though it looks like everything was scheduled, it really wasn't. Before this challenge, I would literally leave DearDaughter out on her own in the living room to figure out how to keep herself entertained while I do a house chore. What she'd do then is roam around the house and whatever she could get her hands into, she'd take stuff out and leave a mess. I've found that an activity can keep DearDaughter occupied for about 30 minutes. So, if I spend the first 5-10 minutes working on an activity with her, I can leave her for the next 20-25 minutes on her own to do a house chore. Then, when she's done with one activity, I'd put it away and take out the next one. It actually helped her know what she's doing and she doesn't have to find ways to keep herself entertained. I will not always follow the schedule above. It's just an example of how the day ran. The main lesson I've learned so far is that DearDaughter enjoys this structure and she wasn't as fussy. As the days go on, I will post updates.

NOTE: I hope I am not "judged" as a bad mother for allowing that much TV time for DearDaughter. In the beginning I was really disciplined about no TV for DearDaughter at all. Then, I started with a half hour and it seemed ok, then it extended to an hour, until it got out of control because I found that I was getting more done. I realized that it was time to shut off the TV when DearDaughter fussed all the time. I realized that she was fussing because I was actually neglecting her needs. Therefore, the 30 Day Challenge was just a great motivational tool to kick start this new habit.