Yesterday I was talking to a fellow mom while our daughters were in gymnastics class. She asked me if my kids (like hers) are begging for every toy under the sun for Christmas. I told her that we got rid of our television programming in the beginning of October and I have been thrilled that my kids have not been asking for every trendy toy on the market. The removal of commercials in their life has been AWESOME!
She stopped.....then said.......You don't have a cell phone or a TV......What, are you Amish?
I cracked up.
Okay, so I'm weird. I like being that way. I like not doing what everyone else is doing.
So, I am here to report that the dropping of TV service has been a great decision. When my kids need to chill they turn on Netflix on the computer or in my bedroom. (We have Netflix streaming though the Wii my bedroom.) I watch the prime time shows I love on the computer and I don't miss watching all the other junk I wasted so much time on. I don't miss commercials. My kids are cool with everything too.
How is hubby doing with it all.......he did go through a period of mourning at first. He missed HGTV and watching football games on Sat. and Sun. But several weeks back he told me that he was very thankful that I took the leap and shut off Dish Network. He said he plays with the kids so much more on the weekends than he used to. He said.....get this......that if I told him that I wanted to hook up the TV again, he would discourage it! So....hubby is doing great with it, too!
As far as the cell phone....I've been cell phone free for over 4 years. (With exception to a "pay as you go phone"that I take with me when I travel by myself.) I don't know if I will get one again. I think about it here or there.....I have priced plans.....and then I walk away b/c I just can't get myself to do it. I have went this long without a monthly cell phone bill....why start now.
1. I find it freeing.
2. It discourages me to watch every person on the road talking on the phone.
3. My parents did a fine job of raising me without one.....I don't see the NEED.
4. If I do get one in the future I think I will feel like I am giving in. I know....stupid.....but honest!
I do not want to be Amish. I would not live without my dishwasher, GPS, or hairdryer. I just don't want to be like everyone else just because. I bet I'll drive my kids nuts when they hit their preteen/teen years.
I call myself "unique" instead of weird! It makes me feel better, ha ha. Anyway, more power to you to be different. I never like to fall into trends just because almost everyone else is doing it. For instance, my big hang up the past few years have been crocs. I refused to buy them for several years and only gave up last summer when Jack begged me for a pair. Even then I could only handle getting the khaki colored ones. I also despise video game systems. Took me forever to agree to the wii and I still will make Jack do preschool worksheets that are his tickets for wii time. Good job on the no cell phone, I really wish I wasn't so dependent on mine. I test myself by leaving it in the car for a couple days at a time but I don't have long distance on my house phone and end up wanting to call my mom! Oops...this is getting long =)
ReplyDeleteOh and...I really appreciate your comment you left me. I struggle all of the time with not being such a planner. I just want to let things happen when they do and really want to believe that God just has a plan for our family but I find myself worrying about where we'll be living at the time, if Jeremy will be home for the first few months so he doesn't miss out on all the first year developments like he did with Spencer and if I can handle 3 little people under a certain age while Jeremy is on 6 month deployments. I remember having 6 week old Spencer and 2 1/2 year old Jack while Jeremy was deployed and I was beyond exhausted. I also appreciate your insight on age. I know in my heart it's only going to get harder and it's really great to hear that it's true. It puts things into perspective for me. I had a really rough delivery at 26 with Jack, seriously almost died, no exaggeration. My pregnancy with Spencer had complications but thankfully delivery went great. I can only imagine how things can get now that I'm in my 30s. Again, I'm getting winded but thank you for your message! It helps and I'm really going to try to just realize the situation is out of my control.
ReplyDeleteTV isn't an issue in our house.....but I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to not have a cell phone; it would be great to not be reachable anytime of the day or always have email access for work!! Sadly I would then also be without a job and with the uncertainty of the RR each year that would change life quite drastically. I would adore being home with the kiddos....and getting rid of my cell. Wish that were in the cards for me but maybe in a few years!
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