17 of 167

Yes

Write now Article Tools

I have told this story many times, so here goes again. I went to a Parent- Teacher meeting for my son years ago. I always went to these things, because as a single parent raising my children, I made sure they were doing well in school. Anyway, I went to talk to his English teacher and she lets me know that my son is an excellent reader. What she could not believe is that my son used the word 'carnage' in a story." How in the world did he see that word?", she inquired. "By reading Spiderman comics", I proudly blurted out. She went on and remembered my daughter as being 'gifted' at reading too. What is your secret, she wanted to know.'Shoot the TV', was my comeback.

I love to read, and passed this love on to my children. When they were young, I used to come home from work, sit down with them, and read to them. Every day. This love of reading made them perform better in school.Where was our TV? In the corner, where it belonged. Out of the way.Once, a cable salesmen calls me and informs me of the big special they have going on. The problem was that it was summertime, and in Buffalo the summer is only four months long, so I am supposed to sit in front of the idiot box and watch life pass us by? He hung up on me. My son and daughter excelled at sports, education and manners. This comes from a direct result of getting them away from the TV, and getting them involved in other things besides moronic sitcoms. Most of their friends were raised on the great babysitter. Mom and dad are too lazy to get involved in their lives, or talk to them. So what do they do? Let the damn television do it for them. Most of their friends never heard of great authors, and plays written with passion. Just MTV and mindless junk. I pity them. Now I am not saying never watch the boob tube, there is some decent programming. The news shows are good, and watching sports is OK. But too just sit for hours and stare at the box like a zombie, it just appalling. You wonder why child obesity is at an all time high. I tried to keep my kids away from this thing as much as possible, and it worked. My daughter is a teacher and my son was accepted to med school.

Yesterday my daughter called me to tell me when she was at the book store she saw the book titled 'Owl Moon'. I had a tear in my eye, I read that to her when she was five. She still remembers it.

Learn more about this author, Frank Butry.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should parents raise their children without television??
We want to hear your view. Write now!