The Idiot Box TV has many downsides. Some tips to manage your child's TV time and restrict child's TV watching

1. Managing the Idiot Box
This blog is an excerpt from Ramen’s parenting book,“Effective Parenting: A New Paradigm”.
I do notknowwhat the invasion of the aliens would have done for us. But the invasion of the Idiot
Box in our homeshascertainlyunleashedavirusthatisharming our society, especially members of
the GenNext, in ways we are not even aware of.
DavidPerlmutter,M.D.,acclaimedneurologistandauthorliststhe harmful impactof TV on children:
1. Time spent watching TV displaces other types of creative and imaginative activities.
2. Television watching discourages reading and exercise.
3. Television advertising increases demand for material possessions.
4. Exposure to violence on television can increase aggressive behavior in some children.
StephenR.Coveyinhisbestseller The7 Habits of Highly EffectiveFamilies writes, ‘It is true that there
is so much good on TV – good information and enjoyable, uplifting entertainment. But for most of us
and ourfamilies, the reality is more like digging a lovely tossed salad outof the garbagedump. There
may be some great salad there, but it’s pretty hard to separate out the trash, the dirt and the flies.’
The author then goes on to ask you a simple question, ‘What does your own heart tell you? Does
watching TV make you kinder? More thoughtful? More loving? Does it help you build strong
relationships in your home?’
Gentle reader I leave you it to you to reflect and answer.
WhenI was a kid,idiotbox hadn’tevenhappened.ButlookingbackIreallydon’tthinkmychildhood
was any worse for that. Sports, reading and family time kept us busy.
There may be an argument that why single out TV? There is the ubiquitous cell phone with its
WhatsApp and other charms and the equally omnipresent internet and its omnipotent social
networkingsites.Itismypersonal opinionthat the internet offers you an ocean of information at a
click.Facebook,TwitterandWhatsApphelpyoustayconnectedand have reduced the planet to the
size of a button. While these technological Dumbledores do have their disadvantages these are
outweighed by the benefits. The same cannot be said of the Idiot Box.
So how do you fight the ogre of TV:

2.  Regulate the time which your child should view TV – say an hour a day and a couple more on
holidays. Replace TV watching hours with reading and play time.
 Discusswithherand come to a mutually-agreeable decisiononwhat kind of programmes she can
watch.Get her interestedinchannelswithahighinfotainmentquotient,e.g.NationalGeographic.
 Do try to watch TV withyourchild.Whenyouwatch and enjoy the same programmes it creates a
kind of connect.
 Avoid watching programmes which are not meant for children in front of them.
 Discipline begins with the self. Set an example for your child by reducing the time you spend
watching TV.
 Do not use TV as a surrogate parent or an Electronic Babysitter.
Sometime backIhad gone to Sholai School whichis onthe outskirtsof Kodaikanal.Itisbest defined
by the acronym CLOOAT (Centre for Learning, Organic Agriculture and Appropriate Technology). In
Sholai,the childrenwatchTV onlyforone hour a weekandseem very happy with the arrangement.
Theyare intelligent,hardworking,curious,playful,independent and innocent. If they can do it, why
not our kids?
Finally, I would like to share my own example. I have a full time (24 x7) job as a Chief of Corporate
Communicationsof RourkelaSteel Plant.Thisineffect means that I am the spokesperson of around
18,000 employees.PlusIamwriterbypassionandhave beenquite prolificoverthe years. Almost in
every conversation or interview I am asked how I manage the time. “I don’t socialize much. And
more importantlyIhave restrictedmytrystwiththe idiotbox to around 30-45 minutesa day. I don’t
miss much and I save a lot of time which I can devote to my writing,” is my answer. Also see more
info @ http://www.parentedge.in