Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Television-zombie Alternatives
If your kids are anything like mine, they are loving the relaxation of Christmas break. And I am as well. No taxi-racing to the drop-offs and the pick-ups. No gulping down an entire cream cheese bagel in fifteen seconds flat. No panicking to find three sets of matching socks and shoes (well four if you count mine).
And on that topic, does anyone ever borrow their spouse's socks in a pinch? I've been wearing my hubby's socks with my black boots cuz I've been low on clean laundry. I've even borrowed my seven-year-old son's socks cuz his feet are starting to get as big as mine. You know you do that too, so no smirking at me!
As you can see, my coffee has kicked in and I'm writing with fervor, off topic, but energetically to say the least. So, the point of this piece... aw yes, "TV zombies." So, how are your kids doing thus far? It's day #5 but I'd already lost my mind by Monday, to be honest. So much time together. So much whining. So much noise!!! And yet, they are so darn cute and cuddly. I love letting them stay up late and allowing them to sleep in until brunch-time. Snacking all day is fun too! I'm being facetious, btw, my mind is totally intact.
In general, holiday breaks tend to bring out the glory of that amazing black box up in our bonus room, especially when we get as much rain as we've gotten lately. Isn't this weather amazing? So much for my piece last week where I critiqued the summer-like weather we'd been getting. From 85 degrees to this? I'm not sure I'm going to challenge the rain-gods again. But other than our roof leaking yesterday, it has been a total blast. I'm just praying for some lightning and thunder, but I better be careful what I ask for, right?
Since I'm one of those moms who didn't get the dvd player in my brand new swagger wagon, you can probably tell where this is going. Although I love getting a siesta by putting my kids in front of the television for an hour or so, I feel it shouldn't be used as an at-home babysitter option. It's tempting to push the "ON" button in order to catch up on the plethora of Christmas tasks vying for our attention. But try these three television-zombie-alternatives instead.
First, hit the 99 Cent Only store or the dollar bin at Target for some inexpensive treasures. Buy your kids a few coloring or doodle books, some markers, or a puzzle. My husband recently bought our kids an Indian figurine set for super cheap and all three kids have played together with it for hours this morning. I've heard very little fighting, just a little bit of arguing, and mostly lots of peaceful chitchat. I'm literally blown away that these tiny plastic figures are favored over the flat-screen upstairs.
Second, look for stuff that's already in your house. Just take your Christmas tree for example. Are there some plain ornaments that your kids could enhance? Get some puffy paints out (you can get these at a local craft store like Jo-Ann or Michaels) and let them decorate some of the drab silver balls. Encourage them to draw swirls, stars, and Christmas phrases.
Another project involves old magazines or junk mail, paper, scissors, and glue. Let your kids cut out pictures and words and paste them into a collage. You could even give them specific themes: Christmas, animals, or the great outdoors. Younger kids might need help from you with the cutting but should be able to glue the pieces on by themselves.
Third, to avoid tv-zombie-hood, read together. Gather books from around your house or stop by the library and pick up two arm-fulls. You could even play hide-and-seek in your family room where you and the kids take turns hiding the books. Once the books are found, you or the older kids can read the books out loud. Younger kids can look at their picture books to keep their attention.
If your kids are are "too cool" for this, set up a groovy reading station with snacks and fun music where they can read independently. When push comes to shove, if your kids demand television over reading, then bribe them. Tell them that if they read five books, you'll buy them some ice cream or a pack of gum later today.
Everyone's a tv-zombie sometimes, but we should aim for more over the break. One or two days of zombie-hood are acceptable, but after that, it's time to engage your kids with some brain-food. You don't want to return them to their teachers in a vegetative mental state. Let's keep them sharp over the break and enjoy the quality time together as well. Keeping it real. Share some of your kid-friendly screen-time alternatives. We'd love to hear from you. :)
And on that topic, does anyone ever borrow their spouse's socks in a pinch? I've been wearing my hubby's socks with my black boots cuz I've been low on clean laundry. I've even borrowed my seven-year-old son's socks cuz his feet are starting to get as big as mine. You know you do that too, so no smirking at me!
As you can see, my coffee has kicked in and I'm writing with fervor, off topic, but energetically to say the least. So, the point of this piece... aw yes, "TV zombies." So, how are your kids doing thus far? It's day #5 but I'd already lost my mind by Monday, to be honest. So much time together. So much whining. So much noise!!! And yet, they are so darn cute and cuddly. I love letting them stay up late and allowing them to sleep in until brunch-time. Snacking all day is fun too! I'm being facetious, btw, my mind is totally intact.
In general, holiday breaks tend to bring out the glory of that amazing black box up in our bonus room, especially when we get as much rain as we've gotten lately. Isn't this weather amazing? So much for my piece last week where I critiqued the summer-like weather we'd been getting. From 85 degrees to this? I'm not sure I'm going to challenge the rain-gods again. But other than our roof leaking yesterday, it has been a total blast. I'm just praying for some lightning and thunder, but I better be careful what I ask for, right?
Since I'm one of those moms who didn't get the dvd player in my brand new swagger wagon, you can probably tell where this is going. Although I love getting a siesta by putting my kids in front of the television for an hour or so, I feel it shouldn't be used as an at-home babysitter option. It's tempting to push the "ON" button in order to catch up on the plethora of Christmas tasks vying for our attention. But try these three television-zombie-alternatives instead.
First, hit the 99 Cent Only store or the dollar bin at Target for some inexpensive treasures. Buy your kids a few coloring or doodle books, some markers, or a puzzle. My husband recently bought our kids an Indian figurine set for super cheap and all three kids have played together with it for hours this morning. I've heard very little fighting, just a little bit of arguing, and mostly lots of peaceful chitchat. I'm literally blown away that these tiny plastic figures are favored over the flat-screen upstairs.
Second, look for stuff that's already in your house. Just take your Christmas tree for example. Are there some plain ornaments that your kids could enhance? Get some puffy paints out (you can get these at a local craft store like Jo-Ann or Michaels) and let them decorate some of the drab silver balls. Encourage them to draw swirls, stars, and Christmas phrases.
Another project involves old magazines or junk mail, paper, scissors, and glue. Let your kids cut out pictures and words and paste them into a collage. You could even give them specific themes: Christmas, animals, or the great outdoors. Younger kids might need help from you with the cutting but should be able to glue the pieces on by themselves.
Third, to avoid tv-zombie-hood, read together. Gather books from around your house or stop by the library and pick up two arm-fulls. You could even play hide-and-seek in your family room where you and the kids take turns hiding the books. Once the books are found, you or the older kids can read the books out loud. Younger kids can look at their picture books to keep their attention.
If your kids are are "too cool" for this, set up a groovy reading station with snacks and fun music where they can read independently. When push comes to shove, if your kids demand television over reading, then bribe them. Tell them that if they read five books, you'll buy them some ice cream or a pack of gum later today.
Everyone's a tv-zombie sometimes, but we should aim for more over the break. One or two days of zombie-hood are acceptable, but after that, it's time to engage your kids with some brain-food. You don't want to return them to their teachers in a vegetative mental state. Let's keep them sharp over the break and enjoy the quality time together as well. Keeping it real. Share some of your kid-friendly screen-time alternatives. We'd love to hear from you. :)
Labels: Christmas break, family, kids, television
