By: Sarah Thompson
Date: November 26, 2023
My 4-year-old son is obsessed with watching TV, particularly those bizarre YouTube channels where adults with unsettling voices unbox toys. To me, they resemble one endless advertisement for overpriced plastic junk. However, it turns out there’s some psychology behind his fixation. Every day, he would plead for me to turn on his favorite shows, including an endless array of Netflix kids’ content. While I didn’t let him watch all day, my rules about screen time were pretty lax. Admittedly, I often used TV as a way to get things done without him and his 2-year-old sister underfoot.
Then, about a month ago, I made a rookie mistake in parenting — in a moment of frustration, I imposed an extreme punishment: I declared that TV was banned forever.
It was early evening, and I was preparing dinner while my son was glued to his favorite YouTube channel, captivated by plastic superheroes battling it out. I warned him, “Five more minutes, and then it’s time to turn it off.” He agreed, but when the time came and I pressed the Off button, he completely lost it. And when my 4-year-old throws a tantrum, it’s usually a sign that I’m about to lose my cool too.
“That’s it. No more TV. Ever.”
His eyes widened, and tears began to flow. “Can I earn it back? Tomorrow?”
“Nope. TV is gone. Forever.”
Oh no.
The worst part? I was so convincing that he believed me. For a few days, he half-heartedly asked to watch something on Netflix, but soon realized I meant business. I’m stubborn, and somehow convinced myself that this was a battle I could win. It’s been a month since that fateful decision, and surprisingly, my children haven’t watched a single kids’ show or YouTube video at home, and I have no plans to shorten this “forever” anytime soon.
Now, let’s be clear: going screen-free hasn’t transformed my household into a serene paradise. The past four weeks have been long and loud, and I’ve survived many hours without screens through sheer willpower (and maybe a glass of wine or two). While the television has a volume control and a pause button, my kids do not.
Their fighting has reached an astonishing level — with no TV to distract them, they have all day to argue over trivial matters like who gets to close the door or who gets the first snack. The chaos is enough to make me question my sanity.
And the mess? It’s unreal. Without the TV to break up the clutter, my house has become a disaster zone filled with abandoned craft projects, costumes, and cardboard boxes that once served as castles. Plus, without my digital babysitter, I have to be “on” for more hours a day than I ever imagined. It’s exhausting.
So why haven’t I backed down, even when the noise and mess seem unbearable? Because despite the chaos, I’m witnessing significant benefits from our screen-free lifestyle, and I’m starting to appreciate them.
First, we’ve been reading a lot more. Previously, we’d read two or three books at bedtime; now, we’re reading throughout the day. My 2-year-old, who previously showed little interest in books, has become an avid reader, and we’ve made weekly trips to the library, easily finishing 20 books a week.
Additionally, creativity and imaginative play have flourished. Yes, it’s messy and noisy, but it’s also heartwarming to see their imaginations at work. They’re playing outside, constructing pirate ships and princess castles on the swing set, and coming inside dirty and happy. Long bubble baths have become a nightly ritual, and they’re sleeping more soundly.
Selfishly, while I’m worn out at the end of the day, I feel liberated from the mom guilt that often accompanied those days when I let them watch too much TV. I know that screen time isn’t inherently bad, yet I often felt guilty about it. Eliminating this source of guilt, even if only temporarily, has been refreshing.
I understand that this “forever” won’t last eternally, and I know that kids’ TV will eventually return to our lives. But for now, a screen-free existence is benefiting all of us. I can only hope that my son will forget those bizarre YouTube toy videos, at least that’s what I tell myself.
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In summary, while my extreme decision to ban TV has created more chaos in the short term, it has also opened doors to opportunities for reading and imaginative play. The path ahead may be messy, but it’s proving to be rewarding in ways I didn’t expect.