No TV

[nutcrackingcrazy]

The TV broke a while back and I was delighted. The kids hardly watched it anyway and I'm finding we are speaking more, spending lovely time together as a family not being distracted by it.

AIBU to think the kids don't need a TV? We don't have internet either so no computers or screens (which has always been so). Kids are 4&6.

Yanbu but as a crocheter I couldn’t give up on tv! But yanbu at all.

You don't have internet but you're posting online...

WaterSheep they probably have mobile data.

Ah a smug type.

Well done! Your wholesome, better than everyone else medals are in the post.

Phone signal...duh!!

Wow Mustardscreams - why so mean? I'm sad you took my question that way. What if we couldn't afford to replace the TV, would I be smug then?

Mobile data still means you have access to the internet, Perhaps Op meant she has no WIFI.

I'd rather limit its use and have lovely, family time whilst reserving the right to watch a good movie or important documentary on occasion.

But if it works for your family and you don't miss it, then go for it.

I do think it can become more of an issue for children as they get older. They will have less awareness of popular culture (not necessarily a bad thing!), be labelled odd by visiting friends and so on.

I don’t think mustard is being that mean, but rather making a point. It’s a matter of virtue signalling. For example, my 70 year old father goes for a run of a few miles every morning. He would never mention this to anyone; he always has done it and it’s a normal part of life. Compare to those people who take every opportunity to tell everyone about the exercise they’ve done: they are trying to tell everyone how fit and self disciplined they are.
It’s the same with abstinence from screens. If it’s good for the family lifestyle and health, then great. Enjoy. No need to announce to the world, or mention at all really. It’s your normal.

As an example, I'm a teacher and the children in my class all love Horrible Histories, many are watching/talking about the BBC's His Dark Materials adaptation and they all talk fondly of beloved Christmas movies that they snuggle up with at this time of year. It can be a good thing if used wisely IMO.

Nobody needs a TV, but I would miss it if we didn't have one. DH works from home so Wi-Fi is a necessity in our house. Mobile data signals aren't good enough round here to not have Wi-Fi.

Completely agree with @itsmecathycomehome. I used to work with a guy who didn't have a TV (teens and early 20s) and he was odd. Naive, sheltered, and unable to chat normally. No knowledge of pop culture and like it or not it makes easy small talk. Limiting screen time is fair enough but TV can broaden your horizons too. Please don't make them a target for bullies as they grow up.

My mum didn't approve of TV when we were growing up. She gave in to pressure when school said that we were being deprived. We got a TV when I was in my last year at primary school.

TV has loads of junk on it, but it also has loads of educational stuff on it. We are currently watching a David Attenborourgh wildlife programme on catch up.

There can be some very good tv programs that can be educational (made my parents switch to energy saving light bulbs when they first came out after learning about them on a kids program when I was 6 years old) but it is good to limit the screen time and maybe pre select the tv shows they are allowed to watch. Also as it has been pointed out it might make them miss out on certain parts of pop culture so could make it harder to connect with classmates. My parents tried to not let me watch some tv shows such as pop idol and it meant when all my friends talked about it I was very much left out. I did in the end convince my mum it was making me not fit in so to please let me watch it.

A computer or tablet will become a necessity at some point. Even in key stage one, some homework is internet-based.
It's great if it works for your family. But I think you'll find that your children will start asking for it when they get a bit older.

What @likeafishneedsabike said.

If having no TV works for you, at the moment, then great, but you will find they start missing points of reference and shared memories and shared conversation starters with other dc.

I always limited TV and screen time for my dc, and I lived 2 years without a TV very happily when I first bought my flat but "No TV" and "No computers / Internet" etc., makes your dc very separate from their peers, which I wouldn't say is a good thing.

Limited TV is a great thing, IMO.

We don't have one since my cat tried to jump on it when it was only two weeks old I never replaced it and I don't miss it! I read, cook, do some gardening when the weather is good, take the dogs out for a walk. I listen to classic fm on the radio and life is much more peaceful! Plus I don't need a tv licence

We don't have a TV either, but I absolutely make sure the DCs watch stuff on my laptop which will keep them in-step socially, with their peers.

I haven't had a TV since it got broken in a house move 12 years ago.
We rarely watched it when it worked, it just sat in a corner gathering dust.
There's nothing wrong with not having a TV.

Well give it a few years and their homework will require internet so you might want to reconsider then. I'd a lovely time watching Mary Poppins with my dc today, a distraction from gazing intently into eachother's eyes but I can live with that.

The tv thing I can understand but not the no wifi.

I LOVE tv
No kids at home now but wouldn't get rid of it ...love a good drama on tv

My DC are 14 and 11, and they've never asked for TV. We do have internet access, but they don't have free reign. Eldest has been given more freedom recently, internet-wise, and she hasn't abused that privilege in any way, she has literally only done stuff on there for her school work when we've checked her site history. DS uses it under supervision because he's impulsive.

Free rein, yikes!