by Jay Morgetron

Created on: March 09, 2007   Last Updated: May 07, 2007

When Victoria's Secret ads and clips of the latest local shooting from the 10 o'clock news are run in the middle of "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving Special," you, as a parent, can't control what the kids see.

Some people may think that it is unrealistic to remove TV from their children's lives. They may even think it's cruel and unusual for a child to be denied access to popular culture. However, in my opinion, children have plenty of time to be exposed to the media. Opportunities for exposure are boundless with or without the TV. Limiting or even eliminating TV from your home can change your children's lives for the better.

As a mother who nearly eliminated television from her children's lives for one entire summer, I can attest to the effects of T.V. on children. And I can definitely attest to the affects of limiting television from my own children's lives. Last summer, my children regained their childhood and their brainpower when T.V. went away.

Not only did my children begin to create, exercise, and play the way all children should daily, they began to get along better.

My girls are seven years apart in age. This gap makes it difficult at times, but one thing that really came between them from time to time was that stinkin' T.V. If one wanted to watch one show, I could guarantee that the other one wouldn't want to.

Removing T.V. from their relationship was one of the best things I ever did to strengthen their sisterly relationship. When the 11-year-old is reading a book to the 4-year-old and they both have happy faces; when the 4-year-old is setting up a tea party and inviting her 11-year-old sister, and the 11-year old actually accepts the invitation; when the two girls are outside in the back yard playing with our dog, instead of fighting over who gets to watch what, I know something is going right. Prior to our T.V.-free policy, stuff like this never used to happen.

Now that there is no TV to run to at their first inkling of boredom, my kids' brains work harder than they ever have. I have never seen so much role-playing, reading, outdoor activity, daily creativity or coping skills in my kids prior to this. And, they get along better. (They still have moments ... there's a seven year gap.)

AND, it's been good for me too. I read more. I'm not constantly bombarded by violence and gratuitous medical scenes. I don't catch myself drooling as I watch another cookie cutter episode of "Law and Order". (I still love that show thought - just don't watch it unless the kids are gone and I need some "brain-free" time.) I create more art; I'm more patient with the kids; I no longer find myself Jonesin' for "reality" TV by 6 P.M.

So, freedom from TV may not for everyone - but maybe consider limiting the media your children are exposed to. You may be surprised to find that your child is able reestablish a lost childhood.

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