The tv broke down some days ago. I was delighted as I had been hoping that it would break down and I could access to using the living room – my favourite room for reading, talking and just relaxing. For one of my children – the oldest – the world had suddenly caved in – he is addicted to watching tv. For the youngest – it is a survivable pain. And the middle one – who is used to entertaining himself – is not that bothered.
Here is what I have noticed:
- we talk a lot more with each other and we laugh a lot more;
- we play games with each other;
- the children help with household chores – like cooking meals;
- the children spend more time in their bedrooms doing private activities like reading or drawing;
- the children go outside more – like taking walks;
- there is a lot less fighting in the house as there is less to fight about; and
- I feel at home again.
I am quite clear that introducing or removing television from the home is a revolutionary act. With it in the house, it becomes the most important thing and the people in the house become slaves to it. By removing it, our family – all of us – have became creators, authors of our lives. And we work much better as a family.
Existential Conversations For Playing Big 