My 4-year-old son has developed a strong attachment to television, especially those bizarre YouTube channels featuring strange adults unboxing toys. To me, it feels like watching endless commercials for overpriced plastic junk. However, there’s research suggesting that children can become quite attached to screens. Every day, he would plead for me to turn on his favorite shows, along with an endless stream of Netflix kids’ programming. While I didn’t allow him to sit in front of the screen all day, my rules regarding screen time were quite lenient. Admittedly, I often relied on the TV to keep him and his 2-year-old sister entertained while I tackled chores.
Then, a month ago, I made a classic parenting mistake — in a fit of frustration, I issued an extreme punishment: I declared that TV was gone for good.
It was a typical evening, and I was preparing dinner. My son was fixated on his favorite show, captivated by animated characters in a fantastical world. I warned him, “Five more minutes, and it’ll be off.” He nodded in agreement—until the time was up. When I finally pressed the Off button, he erupted in tears.
“That’s it,” I said, impulsively. “No more TV. Ever.” His eyes widened in shock.
“When can I earn it back? Tomorrow?” he asked, desperation in his voice.
“Not a chance. It’s gone. Forever.”
Oh no.
The worst part? He actually believed me. For the first few days, he asked tentatively about watching something on Netflix, but soon realized I wasn’t budging (I can be quite stubborn). That was a month ago. For the past 30 days, my kids have not watched a single show or video at home. Surprisingly, I have no intention of reversing this “forever” anytime soon.
Now, before anyone thinks that eliminating screen time has turned my home into a peaceful paradise, let me dispel that notion right away. The last month has been challenging and incredibly noisy. Some days, I’ve survived without screens simply by sheer willpower (and perhaps a glass of wine or two). The television offers a volume control and a pause button; my children, however, do not.
With no screens to occupy them, sibling rivalry has reached an impressive, albeit annoying, high. They bicker over everything: who closes the front door, who gets the first pancake in the morning, and even a forgotten toy that has been at the bottom of the toy box for ages. The hair pulling, shoving, and screaming are enough to drive anyone to their breaking point. Managing the constant chaos of a 2- and 4-year-old is no small feat.
And the mess? Kids’ clutter multiplies overnight, but without TV to distract them, the state of my home has spiraled out of control. Craft supplies, dress-up clothes, and cardboard remnants from projects litter every room. Plus, without the digital babysitter, I find myself “on” for more hours each day. It’s exhausting.
So why am I holding firm, even with the increased noise and mess? Why does my “forever” mean a few more weeks or months without television? Because despite the chaos, I’m witnessing the upsides of a screen-free environment, and I’m embracing them.
First, we are reading more than ever. Previously, we read two to three books at bedtime; now, we’re reading throughout the day. My 2-year-old, who never seemed that interested in books, now eagerly asks us to read to him. Visiting the library has become a weekly adventure, and we’re easily tackling 20 books a week, often reading many of them several times.
Additionally, the level of creativity and imaginative play in our home has skyrocketed. Yes, it’s loud and messy, but it’s also heartwarming to watch their imaginations flourish. They’re playing outside, building pirate ships and castles on the swing set, returning home dirty and happy. Extended bubble baths have become the norm, and they’re falling asleep more easily and staying asleep longer at night.
Selfishly, I’m relieved from the mom guilt that often accompanied those longer TV sessions. Logically, I know there’s nothing inherently wrong with screen time, but I frequently felt guilty about it. Completely removing that source of guilt, even if it’s only temporary, has been liberating.
“Forever” won’t actually mean forever, and I know that kids’ TV will eventually return to our lives. But for now, this screen-free existence is working for us. And perhaps, just maybe, my son will forget all about those strange YouTube videos. At least that’s what I’m hoping for.
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In summary, while the journey of removing television from our daily lives has been tumultuous, the benefits of increased reading, creativity, and reduced guilt have made it worthwhile.