The Easiest, Cheapest Way to Get Your Kids to Watch Less TV

As any parent knows, there’s a new epidemic in town – and it has nothing to do with the doctor’s office. TV watching is at an all-time high for kids, with children from low-income families and those in minority groups watching the most, according to Obesity magazine.

Obesity recently reviewed over 40 different studies aimed at finding various ways to get kids to watch less television. Methods ranged from using TV monitoring devices, to counseling, to even requiring kids to ride an exercise bike while watching TV, according to the L.A. Times. Each technique was met with varying degrees of success, yet one obvious method for reducing kids’ screen time was left out of the discussion. Want to know the easiest – and cheapest – way to get your kids to watch less TV?

Get rid of TV. (Cue the eye-rolling.)

I get it; until recently, I would have responded the same way. However, a year ago, financial setbacks caused our family to re-evaluate our budgetary needs and wants. When it came down to health insurance vs. cable TV, the TV had to go.

Was it hard, at first, not to have cable? Sure; like most Americans, we were addicted. TV was in our blood. Yet, I’d always wanted to know what it would be like to live without. Once our children came along, that interest grew, as I did not want my kids continually exposed to the trash on television. When our finances could no longer bear it, I was relieved to see TV go.

But this doesn’t mean we have a complete media blackout. For work, news, and entertainment, we still have the internet, and catch former favorites on Hulu after the kids go to bed. My children occasionally watch family-friendly videos (which we rent for free at the library), but the time they spend watching TV is significantly less than those with cable.

So what has “No Cable TV” done for our family?

1. We’re more active – Rather than claiming sides of the couch, we take walks, go to the playground, and play in the backyard.

2. We’ve grown closer – With less distractions, no one is zoning out, and we are more invested in each other. We talk more with our children, sing, read books, and have improved our relationships.

3. We’re saving money – Without cable TV, we save approximately $75 on our monthly budget.

4. We use our time wisely – there are no wasted days in front of the TV anymore. I get more things done each day, and find less distractions tearing me away from important tasks.

5. We’re no longer spoonfed by the media – Why do people care about the Kardashians, the Housewives, and other trashy shows and celebrities? Because the media tells them to. You don’t have to be part of that culture; choose to leave it and create your own reality, instead of the ones on Fox and E!. (On a side note, I must also say it was refreshing to endure the local elections this past year, without being subjected to constant political commercials.)

If you’re looking for the easiest – and cheapest – way to get your kids to watch less TV, you’re not going to find a cheaper or better way to do it than this: cut your cable service. Not only will this save you money and cut your kids’ screen time, it’ll bring your family closer together and help you re-define your values.


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *