You remember pledge week, of course. It was the sensational gift of 2009, when we gave up T.V., computer, video games, credit cards, and all unnecessary shopping for a whole week. This was a birthday gift to my sweetheart, and he loved it.
This year we wanted to top it. By some miracle, I got the kids to agree to a "tube cube." We roll it every Monday, and it tells us which day we will enjoy screen-free. The gift that keeps on giving. (Until one of the kids wises up and "loses" the cube.)
What can you do on a day with no T.V., computer, or Wii?
Play a game. We like Settlers, Ticket to Ride, Mystery Garden, Rivers-Roads-Rails, Set, Loot, and Quidler. (Thanks, grandma! Most of those were gifts from you!)
Create art. Watercolor, collage, modeling clay, and pastels are our favorite mediums. Especially collage. Why do I have a big collection of scrapbook paper and stickers anyway? We love to bust it out and use it up.
Listen to audio books. We've gone through six of the seven Harry Potters, all the Gregor the Overlanders, a couple of Percy Jacksons, just to name a few. There's always reading out loud, too. Old fashioned, but it works.
Sing and Dance. We love the sheet music for Fiddler on the Roof, Wicked, Oliver, and the Scarlett Pimpernel. And when I say "we," I'm not just talking about me and the girls. Berkeley started acting out scenes from the Scarlett Pimpernel when he was about six, and now he rocks "Into the Fire" on the piano.
I guess if I were a more balanced person, I wouldn't feel the need to detox. But I do feel the need. Just like I need to swear off sugar and junk food once in awhile. My kids have wondered out loud "when did we agree to this?" But I'm pretty sure they're grateful deep inside.
5 comments:
I love that idea. I want to hear more about how it is going. keep us posted.
Great idea!
By the end of last year I was feeling a major need to "detox" as well.
So this school year we have started T.V. Fridays. This means that Monday-Thursday the kids have to find another way to relax...like playing with toys, playing outside, reading a book, whatever. It just can't be the T.V.
And I can say in just one week of implementing it, I LOVE it!!! And the kids have responded very positively to it as well.
I think it's good for the kids to detox. And old fashioned methods are the most healthy ways to enforce it, I am feeling:)
That's fun. Make a game out of it. I might just have to try that.
It's a wonderful idea. Don't forget puzzles.
I have a hard time believing your kids watch much tv/do wii/sit in front of the computer. Every time I am driving by, contributing my fair share of co2 emissions, I see your kids outside unicycling, skateboarding, climbing trees, hunting for dinner- if you're Sam- I love it.
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