Less Watching, More Doing

My TV habits have changed a lot in the past few years.

When I first became a stay at home mom, I would watch shows like "Judge Judy", "The Price is Right" and "The Talk" daily. I daresay it's what helped me get through those bleak days when I was sleep deprived, adult interaction deprived and feeling a little lost.

I remember when I stopped watching as much TV- it was when Rosie really started noticing it, around 9 months old. It would put her in a zombie-like state and she would watch it forever if I let her.

I decided that wasn't happening.

So then I started saving my shows for when she napped. Then I had Buddy, and I did rely on it a little heavily at times when I needed it to occupy Rosie. As soon as we all snapped out of the 2nd newborn fog, the TV got turned on less and less.

The kids watch approximately 20 minutes during the morning when I'm getting them dressed and making breakfast, and for about 30 minutes in the afternoon after they get up from their nap. It works. It's just enough that it's still very much a "treat". There are days when it's on much more than that, and there are days when it's turned on even less than that.

I'm excited about the shows Steve and I like that will be returning in the next few weeks. It's a sure sign of Fall! Soon we'll be hunkering down each night, watching them once the kids are in bed.

I have found that for the most part now I don't watch TV during the day, even during the kids' afternoon nap. Instead, I roast the veggies for that night's dinner. I bring in the clothes, fold them, hang another load out on the line. While I do these things, I think about this little space of mine, this blog, and the things I want to write about. I email friends.

Sometimes just vegging out on the couch with the TV on is the best thing for me, if it's been a hard day. But I have found that the more productive I am, the happier I am.

Less watching, more doing. It's been good for me, physically and mentally.