July 9, 2008

Summer Fun

I always assumed that children watch less television in the summer. I imagined that kids would be swimming, reading, playing outside and pestering their siblings all day, but apparently that’s not the case. Without school and afterschool sports, kids actually end up watching more television to fill the time, rather than less.

The problem is that parents and kids alike often feel at a loss when it comes to finding alternatives to television and video games in the summer.

I know what that’s like and I have a great book that can help (and it isn’t my book, although I naturally recommend it as well). The book I’m talking about is full of creative ideas and games for kids. It’s called “Unplugged Play: No Batteries. No Plugs. Pure Fun” by Bobbi Connor. Connor is a radio host of a program called The Parent’s Journal. She interviewed me about my book and she really understands how important it is to get kids unplugged more.

For my family, it’s been a pretty good summer so far with plenty of time outside, since the sun has finally come out in Oregon. My son talked me into taking a number of unorthodox hikes to various waterfalls where few others have been before us. In fact, one of our destinations was so difficult to reach we were not surprised that one couple who tried it had to be rescued by helicopter.

To find out more about my son’s (less challenging) recommended hikes you will soon be able to check out his website. I’ll keep you posted.

Happy Hiking!

Ellen

May 16, 2008

Creativity at its best

One of the best parts about having a website and a blog is hearing from other people with great ideas. That's how I found out about this fabulous design.

For all the parents who are tired of logo-laden apparel, this provides a great alternative. The message is powerful. It's non-corporate advertising at its best. I want to see these T-shirts on everyone. I want to have a baby just so I can buy her (or him) this shirt in the smallest size it comes in. Considering the fact that I am past the fertile stage of my life, this should prove how much I like these shirts. I guess I will have to settle for getting invited to a baby shower and giving the shirt to the expectant mother. Well I suppose I can also buy a bunch of them to offer at my workshops.

I don't know the people who run this site yet, but I'm sure they must be wonderful people to have come up with this great idea. I hope you like it, too.

Enjoy the nice weather, if it is actually nice where you are. Climb a tree, play outside. Show your children that the world outdoors can be one big play station. And you don't have to buy these shirts to do that. But you might want to anyway!

Happy Parenting!

Ellen

May 6, 2008 (my mother's birthday)

Lots of Laughs

Now that TV-Turnoff Week is over, I thought it would be a good time to acknowledge the people out there who have a great sense of humor about it. Check out the comic strip, Stone Soup, whose creator lives in Eugene, Oregon. See the April 21-26 strips.

The good news is that most people who participate in TV-Turnoff Week end up watching less television even months later. So maybe the kids in Stone Soup will be playing outside more this summer, too. I know I'll be following the strip to find out, because reading the comics is still one of my favorite television substitutes. And kids love it, too!

Happy May!

Ellen

April 18, 2008

An Almost Commercial-Free Week

Well, what a surprise! I am writing my second blog and it’s still April. It’s also TV-Turnoff Week, April 21-27.

If you decide to participate in this fun-filled week, I would be happy to help and so would lots of other people. Check out my TV-Free Parenting yahoo group and find out what’s working for other families.

Naturally I will be participating in TV Turnoff Week. For our family that means that we are still using computers for homework, writing, research and of course for updating my exciting website.

This year I am also making one unusual exception during TV-Turnoff Week. I am going to allow myself to watch a particular commercial over and over, mostly because I wrote and co-produced it.

I know you’re probably wondering why someone like me who wrote a book about overcoming TV addiction would then write a commercial. What can I say? It was for a really good cause, and after having seen countless commercials in my lifetime, I think I may have a knack for it. See it for yourself, and if you like it, pass it on.

I guess you’ll also have to decide if you want to make an exception and watch it during TV-Turnoff Week. Just so you know, it’s fine with me.

Best wishes,

Ellen

April 2, 2008

My Dream Dinner Date

I know I'm not a superdelegate or anything like that, but I've decided to pretend that I'm one. And so in this blog, I would now like to declare my support for Barack Obama.

There, I've said it. I feel much better now. And I'm sure Barack is very pleased as well. He even extended a dinner invitation to me. Naturally it was very exciting, except for the fact that he's also invited a million or so other people to have dinner with him. In truth, only four of us will actually be chosen to go on the coveted dinner date, and I think that some have already been chosen. I'm only mentioning this now, because the deadline to vie for this big event was at midnight, March 31. I’m sorry if you missed it. Really.

To be eligible for this dinner, I had to fill out an online form, in which Barack asked me what I would like to discuss with him that night. Naturally I could sense that he was really interested in hearing my ideas and that he would much rather do away with the impersonal nature of the online application process. As you might guess, I told him that I would like to talk with him about kids and the media, particularly television and video games. Barack loves this subject, you see, and he mentions it all the time. See this.

I don't know what else I should have said to Barack to convince him that I am one of the people he should choose. If I knew what the criterion for the contest was, I would have tailored my comments to fit those of the ideal applicant. But of course, that’s not the Obama way. Barack isn’t into spin. He’s actually authentic and far more spiritually evolved than I am, thank God. So, I asked myself: What would Barack do in this situation if he wanted to go out with someone really amazing who was about to change the world? Well, he would probably just be himself and not do anything crazy or desperate, such as writing this pathetic blog about it in order to try to win someone over. Barack just isn’t like that, you see. But maybe he won’t mind having dinner with someone who is. I can only hope.

Many blessings and my apologies to those voting for the other candidates,
Ellen

March 12, 2008

Presidential Candidates and TV Viewing

Well, it has been way too long since I’ve posted a blog. I continue to be amazed at those people who post one every day. I suppose I could do that, too, but I’m afraid I would end up writing about how much my cat sheds, and that sort of thing.

The truth is that I have been wanting to blog a lot. I’ve been wanting to write about one of the presidential candidates, but I’ve also wanted to keep all of my readers (the ones who are democrats, that is) happy.

So instead, I will simply point out that my favorite candidate is the only one who has said in his or her televised speeches that parents should turn off the television and put away the video games. This is a brave stance for a presidential candidate to take. Talk about asking parents to make sacrifices! I applaud him (or her).

When you think about it, the kids who are fortunate enough to grow up without lots of exposure to commercial television might actually become better at making informed decisions in future elections. Rather than being solely influenced by seductive and/or frightening commercials with sleeping children and red phones, they might choose to read about their candidates and watch them speak and debate each other instead. In other words, they might become part of a well-educated and well-informed populace.

It could happen, but it would take work. And wouldn’t it be so much easier if it wasn’t par for the course for candidates to spend millions of dollars on television commercials in the first place? I think so. But I’ve said enough. It’s time for me to brush my cat, before it covers the couch in fur.

May peace be with you.
Ellen

December 9, 2007

Surviving the Holiday TV Season

Well, finally another blog, and just in time for the holidays, a time when it can be difficult to cut back on television. I can remember many a Christmas or New Year’s Day with relatives when television seemed like the only way to keep everyone entertained and happy, myself included. Even so, cutting back on TV or doing without it over the holidays has its rewards, so here are my suggestions:

1. If you’re planning to have a TV-free holiday, let your family and guests know ahead of time. Don’t wait until everyone arrives to tell them that the expected Star Wars movie marathon or college football game isn’t going to happen. Enlist their support and enthusiasm early on, so no one’s disappointed.

2. Plan a bunch of fun activities well in advance such as playing board games, doing art projects, singing, playing musical instruments, hiking, playing soccer or baseball (actually playing rather than watching), reading together (my book for instance), cooking, talking (hopefully not arguing constantly), and going to plays, musicals, etc.

3. Keep it positive. Tell everyone that you’re trying something different for the holidays (if it is different), and that you thought it would be more fun. Remind the relative who complains of missing his favorite show that they’re airing reruns now anyway because of the writers’ strike.

One more thing... you can always go shopping. I suggest buying my book. Give it to those friends and relatives who really do want to get unplugged.

Happy Holidays!
Ellen

September 29, 2007

Join our TV-Free Parenting Yahoo Group

When some people discover that I’ve been raising my child with minimal amounts of television, they assume I’m some sort of anti-technology freak who probably doesn’t know how to forward email messages or change the ring on her cell phone. Well, they’re wrong. I not only know how to change the ring tone on my cell phone, but, believe it or not, I also know how to program numbers into it. (Actually, I just learned how to do this yesterday, but so what!) The point is that I can do it. And I’ve even managed to start a yahoo group. Would someone with a technology phobia (or TDD as my husband calls it) start a Yahoo group? No, they would not!

I am mentioning this Yahoo Group because I’m hoping that if you’re reading this, you will not only be interested in learning about this group, but you will be technologically savvy enough to understand how to join it. Really, the only intimidating part for me was getting a yahoo account (a necessary step). But you just follow the instructions and it’s free. And if you need help, you can always ask anyone under 18 to explain it to you.

The TV-Free Parenting Yahoo Group is for all of you who are interested in chatting with others who are raising their kids with limited amounts of television (or with none at all) or for those of you who are simply pondering the role television and video games play in family life. There is no rigid requirement to be in this group. Anyone interested in this issue can join. My hope is that this group will give people a chance to exchange information, and if they are in the same geographical area, they might even decide to get together in person, not just online. I’ve started posting articles of interest and have enjoyed the discussion so far.

Good Luck,
Ellen

August 4, 2007

Harry Potter Doesn't Need Television

Well, I know it’s been a while since I’ve written a blog entry. What can I say? I was busy reading the seventh Harry Potter book, and then before that, I was speculating with my son and his friends about what might be in the seventh Harry Potter book. Will all of the main characters live for certain? And which of the other characters near and dear to our hearts will bite the dust? Believe me, this sort of speculation takes a lot of time, but lest anyone believe it’s not time well spent, think again. As far as I’m concerned, JK Rowling and I are both working to accomplish the same thing. She’s just better at it. How many other authors could get so many kids all over the world to turn off the television in order to sit down with a 759-page book and finish it in two days? No one!

But Rowling’s influence on the way we think about television goes deeper. Just look at Dudley, the TV-addicted cousin poor Harry has to live with. Dudley is a stupid, overweight, bullying git, if I might use the British word. He illustrates beautifully all the reasons parents need to pull the plug out.

And then there’s Hogwarts itself. Ever notice how there isn’t any television there? No video games either. And yet all the kids have a great time, well except when they’re fighting Voldermort or dealing with mean teachers like Snape. Still, none of them ever complains about not having TV and video games. No one among the muggle-born is homesick for “Survivor.” Of course, they do have magic. I realize that, but nonetheless, they don’t seem to miss television.

Now I know some of you will point out that Rowling did allow a bunch of Harry Potter video games to be made, and so that doesn’t make her such a great paragon of virtue when it comes to keeping kids away from the screen. But who cares? No one’s perfect. And I think her basic message about the wonder of a TV-free childhood comes through in spite of that. We don’t need magic wands to experience the magic of reading her books, climbing trees, exploring the woods and falling in love, or in other words all the things real life offers.

So, thanks to Rowling and everyone out there who is trying to make a difference.

Happy August!
Ellen

May 27, 2007

A Summer without Television

A friend of mine just finished watching the season finale of Brothers and Sisters. "Nothing but reruns now," she said. "Time to enjoy the summer."

Like TV-Turnoff Week, the start of summer is a golden opportunity to replace an unwanted television habit with something better: time spent outdoors for one thing. The coldest and rainiest seasons are behind us. Actually my son claims that the rainy season in Portland is October through June, but what's a little rain anyway? We're planning to walk, ride bikes more, swim, eat outside, hike and head to the beach.

In the summer it's easier for parents (depending on where they live) to say no to video games with the simple directive, "Go outside and play." Of course this means without game boys in hand.

Summer is also a great time to catch up on recreational reading and blatantly plug your favorite authors. I'm starting with Anne Lamott's latest book, Grace (Eventually), and know I'll have it finished in no time because I love the way she writes. Then I'm getting Barbara Kingsolver's new book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It's all about buying and growing food locally. We have a farmer's market in our neighborhood and I'm hoping that her book will inspire me to walk down the street every weekend to peruse the produce. I'm thinking of learning to actually do a better job cooking, too. Maybe an Oregon-grown cousa squash will inspire me.

One more book plug: As Father's Day approaches, you can still pick up Robert Wilder's, Daddy Needs a Drink. His website will also tell you about his essay contest. And if Dad watches a little too much television, be sure to pick up my book for Father's Day, too.

Happy Summer!
Ellen

May 6, 2007

My Life as an Author

Now that “The Big Turnoff” is in bookstores, people keep asking me how my family feels about being in the book. I must admit that they’re taking it pretty well for the most part. I had after all prepared them.

When I initially finished the manuscript, I took my husband aside and confessed to him, “Look, I’ve written a little bit about our sex life."

He looked wary, probably because he knew that when I say a little, it rarely means a little. The last time I told him I’d done a little bit of shopping, I had actually spent several thousand dollars and ordered new bedroom furniture.

“The sex parts are really funny,” I explained to him, “and they needed to be there for the book’s sake. It was out of my hands,” I told him. “I was at the service of the art itself and that’s what dictated what had to be in the book.”

Later my husband told his sister about the sexual references in the book. She then called to tell me that she wanted to be sure to avoid those parts. “I just don’t want to read about my brother’s sex life,” she said.

She can read the same, censored version I will eventually read to my son.

The truth though is that our families are pretty excited about the book. My son loves being in it. And hopefully he won’t need therapy years later because of it. My mother in law is even more enthusiastic than my husband and son. She’s already ordered 20 copies and plans to buy more. She thinks my book will have universal appeal.

That’s obviously my hope, too. I would love for all sorts of people to read it and then of course recommend it to all their friends. Then maybe some of them will go to their local bookstores to buy it instead of making their usual trip to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video. And if they have kids, they might get Goodnight Gorilla or Goodnight Moon instead of buying the latest Baby Einstein DVD.

That would be wonderful and I would love to be a part of making that happen.

And by the way, if you’re looking for a great Father’s Day book for dad or for anyone who needs a good laugh, try “Daddy Needs a Drink” by Robert Wilder. It has just come out in paperback! All the stories are hilarious. I especially like “The Baby Whisperer,” which contains my favorite line in the book uttered by the author’s wife. “Fuck Ferber,” she shouts during the couple’s one-time experiment trying to follow the well-known sadistic sleep expert’s advice. I couldn’t agree more with his wife’s sentiments.

Happy reading!
Ellen