Thinking about having one TV and computer-free day per week, anyone else tried this?

[sophy]

For family New Year resolution, I am thinking of declaring that one day a week we should, as a family, watch no TV or play computer games.

Has anyone done this in practise and how did it work?

We have 2 dss, 7 and nearly 10. They got a Wii for xmas!

It would be a weekday, not a weekend, as DH and I are both quite lazy and rely on those distractions for a lie-in.

Also I think I will have a big problem convincing dh this is a good idea as he is almost as addicted to the computer as dc, and obviously also needs it for work. As do I, but on the computer-free day I would only use it when the dc are at school.

So it would be helpful to hear stories of other families who have tried something similar and found their lives enhanced by it. If they exist!

Motivation would also be ecological -- saving electricity.

I did read about a chap in some magazine once (can't recall who) who never watched any television at all on Tuesdays. He said it was liberating beyond belief and he managed to get those jobs that just get left all done and dusted. Then on Wednesday he'd watched the "missed" programmes from Tuesday which he'd recorded. He's been doing it for years and swears by it.

I never watch tv (apart from You've been framed and maybe something about once a month). I don;t let my kids watch tv (4 and 8) although they watch dvds.
We have a lot of days when it doesn't go on at all.

I acknowledge tv not necessarily a bad thing but i hate the ads, the 'in yer faceness' and the banality of most programmes.

All fine with that.
Your kids are old enough to entertain themsleves without tv and let you have a lie in.

In our house we have one 'screen' free day a week, on a school night. Actually it's worked really well, ds (7)and I make an effort to get a board game out, or go to town for a coffee, or in the summer, play out longer. Ds has a tendency to be a computer game addict, so I also try and limit game time to 1 hr at a time.

Works well - makes us all do something all together and ds often gets those very neglected old toys out and 'rediscovers' them.

Dunno about kids but this works really well with DP one night a week - though we make it a night when nothing I want to watch is on which is usually a friday so we have to do stuff together.

Good endorsements then from Kammy and Maggie.

Moondog, my dc used to watch only dvds and I was OK with that. But now they are older they want to watch what their friends watch and the influence of the ads is so pernicious. I hardly dare take them with me to the supermarket now -- ds1 begs me to buy cheese strings because he's seen them on TV and tells me they are "full of goodness".

12stone v interesting about the Tuesday man. So often dh and I watch rubbish because there's nothing better on.

OK am getting quite excited about this now!

I think it is a great idea.

DCs only watch DVDs and there are plenty of days when there is no screen time because there just isn't time. It's hard enough fitting a bit of play in after school what with homework, meals etc.

DH and I had a screen free week a couple of months ago. We were only allowed to use screens for work or put a children's DVD on in the daytime. We enjoyed it. We are planning to do this once a month but in November and December it was essential to have net access for shopping.

DCs are only allowed computers/game boys etc at weekends and holidays. I try to switch the tv off at 6.30pm during the week after the Simpsons We don't have the tv on in the mornings during the school week as they sit in front of it in a stupor instead of getting dressed!

Sophy,I just tell them that we don't do what everyone else does!

I try and make at least Sat or Sun tv free when we are in our normal routine (ie not the madness that is xmas!). The difference in ds1's behaviour is astounding- he's just 4 and not "naughty" with the tv but without it his concentration is a million times better which means we can talk/reason with/ entertain/ engage him so much better. But whilst it is the option that brings the most rewards, it does take more effort than just turning the tv on because we have to actually put energy in to talking to him and helping him play, which I am ashamed to say sometimes I am very glad of not having to do for half an hour or so whilst he watches imagination movers or some such nonsense (he thinks he's scott by the way)

DH and I might have the tv on in the background in the evening after both boys are in bed, littley is 6 months. But mainly we don't - apart from on Thursdays when everything stops for me so I can watch Bones on Sky 1! I lurve that show.

Ive tried it and to be honest its makes such a difference. Im not really a tv person i like to listen to radio. Mind you i do tend to surf alot and relie on it for work etc. But the only proble with the no tv is what do you actually do? And especially if you are alone with a 6year like myself. In your case it could be a lot of fun as there are more of you, get the board games out. Play truth or dare, it'd be a great way to bond. I think sometimes we hide behind technology and lack real quality time spent with the family. (im guilty of this) mind you its only because i struggle to play with my DS.

We do it too - Tues and Wed nights no TV or internet, or text. It's great. We get loads of jobs done, listen to really interesting radio programmes, even play cards! I'd quite like to do it three days a week tbh. i feel so much calmer, and more alive on those days.

ITS SO TRUE ITS QUITE FUNNY. WHY DO WE WATCH TV THEN?? I GET LAZY WHEN TV IS ON... YOU FEEL HEAVY AND GLUED. BUT THERE IS SO MUCH THAT CAN GET DONE WHEN TV IS OFF. HOW DO YOUR KIDS COPE?? MY SON LIKES IT ONLY FOR A WHILE.

I managed to cut it out on Wednesdays for last two terms, as that was night before homework needed to be handed in, and Boy Scout night, and to my amazement they accepted arrangement (2 six yrs and 8 yrs). Now after complete overdose at Xmas, I'm extending ban to Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I think they just need to learn how to play again and amuse themselves. Radio and story tapes for down time. Also they were all arguing about what to watch which negated TV=valium effect.