Disconnection

Life is full of time wasters that don't build good relationships with people around you.  I see how much my family watches tv and it has gotten out of control.  I see how much the kids play their video games - not enough according to them - and it's spiraling the wrong way.  Internet usage is blowing out the roof here.  There is an easy, yet difficult fix to two of these things.  As of today my internet is being cancelled.  As of May 27th my tv will also be cancelled.  I have already warned the kids that their game remotes will do just fine sitting in my locker at work if that continues to be a problem.

The air is sort of trying in a way to be nice outside.  It's time to get more fresh air, more family time.  As a family we use to love being outside.  We use to love doing things together.  It all seems to be slipping away the more and more the screens are on.  We had a talk last night and it's hard to admit that the kids don't know the last time they did something to help each other out.  Finally after thinking about it for a bit they came up with a couple things - from long ago.  When I asked them though when the last time they yelled/fought with each other they new it was that day and the previous.  I can't control what my kids watch when they aren't home but not having tv here will sure control what they see here.

I told them I want them to be able to smile when they leave the house to go to school.  Not because they have to go to school but because the had a great morning before leaving the house.  I have set a rule, although those who know me know I hate rules, that there can be no fighting or yelling at each other in the mornings and as people come home you can't say anything bad or tattle on anyone for at least 10 minutes.  We need to make it a welcome home for anyone coming back.  Their friends already think of our home as a safe home.  Some of them want to be here regularly because they prefer it over the drama in theirs.  If their friends think that I know i'm doing something right, or they have extremely messed up homes.  I want this to feel like a safe home for anyone who visits and not one where people don't get along because they never talk.  One where people aren't interested in only themselves and making sure that they get as much tv or computer time as they can.

To this I say good luck to my readers (well one reader I know of at least) and I will be on from the library when I can.  I won't forget you.