Okay, I realize I'm a freakout, but all the crap in this world has got me on edge.
Today my nine-year old and I were listening to the latest Super Trio download (www.thesupertrio.com - by Matthew Buckley, absolutely hilarious). After we finished, Denver asked me to watch his cousins You Tube videos. I typed in the address and listened to him giggle. As he was enthralled with the videos I glanced at the spotlighted videos. Playboy was right there on the same page as my innocent nephews. Luckily my son didn't notice, but we did have a lecture on only getting on the internet with Mom's help. I'm sure you'll agree that Playmates private whatever is scary stuff for an over-protective Momma.

Part of the reason I don't allow my boys to watch much television is because of the crap, but also I wonder how anyone has time for television. By the time we get done with playtime, storytime, homework, chores, and dinner it's time for bed. My friends are all addicted to American Idol. I'm sure it's a fun show, but I'd like to know how they fit it in. I fall into bed at eleven every night, knowing I have to wake up before six and already with a list of things I didn't get done.

Maybe I need to be more organized. But until the boys are twenty-seven I'll leave the TV and off and proudly wear my frazzled, unorganized, over-protective Momma badge.

Cami Checketts
www.camichecketts.com
fitmommas.blogster.com

This morning my five-year old asked if he could watch a TV show. Running crazy to clean up messes and laundry, I thought, "A little Dragon Tales would be wonderful about now."
I turned on the television, but alas my husband was already recording Deadliest Catch and some sitcom.
I wanted to be frustrated about the DVR, but then I remembered how the device saved my marriage.
My husband enjoys TV. Obviously, I do not. There were a few years where my snooty attitude about television viewing caused a rift between us. Then we discovered DVR. Now Stan records the shows he enjoys and watches them after the rest of the family is in bed.
And life is now good at the Checketts' home. No more skipping church for football games. No more missing out on family play time to watch Seinfield. And the big bonus - no more commercials. My honey can cruise through a sporting event faster than ESPN's Sports Center and the purchases of 3 easy payment of $19.95 have disappeared as well.

If you're having marital problems, maybe you should look into a DVR.


http://www.camichecketts.com

April 21-25 is National Turn-off the Television Week. I got the flyer from school and thought how easy that would be for my family. Then my husband let the boys watch a Smash Lab and my brother-in-law turned on a basketball game at our house. I claim ignorance on both accounts. It's like when your son is peeing at the park. You turn your back and pretend he's not yours. Sure, you know what he did, but everyone else thinks your oblivious - you hope.

Our school sent home a flyer asking that we do a log of our television time and try to make adjustments to improve the quality and lesson the quantity.
Here's what you do - record the length of time your children spend in front of the television, computer, game boy, etc., the day and time of day, and which programs they view.
Then try to come up with a plan to reduce the total time and make sure you're aware of what they are watching or playing and that it's a good program or game.
Since my boys (daddy included) are addicted to Smash Lab and Mythbusters, I have to make exceptions to my no-tv rule. They get to watch one or two on the weekends, but during the week we don't turn the television on.
Of course all the rules go out the window when they go to Grandma's house or Daddy babysits, but you know I need a little sanity time as well. My motto - Sometimes you've got to turn your back and pretend you didn't see them squirt the fence.

Cami Checketts
http://www.camichecketts.com

A friend suggested to me that it isn't feasible or easy to eliminate television time completely. I'd be a hypocrite if I told you to do that when I allow my children to watch an occasional Mythbusters or Pixar movie.
My friend suggested that you gradually decrease television/electronic game time and replace it with a fun or interactive activity. So, if your children usually watch three hours a day set a goal to only watch two hours a day for a month, then decrease again the next month. Or another idea is to say no television/video games on weekdays, but on Friday night and Saturday they can watch uninhibited. I find when I do that, the boys turn the games off on their own and go play. It's like the Berenstein Bears book, "Too Much TV." Have you read that? Mama makes them go a week without TV and when they get to watch again, they realize they've got better things to do. It's cute.
I think baby steps is a fabulous idea. When I'm trying to add healthy eating habits I give myself a year to make the change permanent. If you try to change something too quickly, it may backfire and make you all miserable.
Good luck and don't forget to congratulate yourself when you've had a good day of reading to and playing with the kiddos.
Cami Checketts
http://www.camichecketts.com

Every hour children play video games or watch television may double their risk of obesity, a new study published in Obesity Research suggests.

As an exercise scientist and mom I worry about the next generation being more sedentary than ever. It makes sense if children are spending hours sitting in front of a television or video game and not moving that they're going to increase their risk of obesity and the diseases associated with being overweight.

I thought today I'd share a list of the fun things my boys and I do instead of watching TV. Not all of them are active, but they promote creativity, social skills, and fun.

- Sports - our favorites are playing catch with a football, wrestling on the carpet, kicking a soccer ball around and practicing baseball or basketball
- Playing hide and seek
- Playing board games or card games - my boys' favorites are Go Fish, Sorry and Risk (notice I said the boys' favorites, not mine!)
- Reading stories together - we love chapter books. Lately we've devoured the Peter and The Starcatchers series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pierson and the Superfudge series by Judy Blume.
- Going on a bike ride or walk
- Playing at the park
- Drawing pictures
- Visiting our elderly friends
- Going to the library or book store
- Playing Playdough or doing craft projects - I am horrible at craft projects, but Parenting magazine will often have fun and easy ideas that I can handle.
- Making magic potions or baking together
- Setting up an obstacle course in the basement or backyard
- Building forts out of blankets
- Jumping on the tramp
- Playing in the sand
- Having battles with Playmobils or Imaginext knights and pirates
- Chasing for a kiss - the boys run around screaming, if I catch them I get to kiss them
- Dancing to music
- Making a band with pots, pans and cooking utensils
- Cleaning or doing yard-work together - my favorite, but not so high on the boys' list, but I have found when we work side by side they are a lot more productive and happy about it.
- Letting them earn a dollar and then taking them to the dollar store to spend it - again, their favorite, I'd prefer they save their money.
- Playing silly games like airplane on Mom's feet or horse rides on Mom's knees or holding their leg and hand and spinning until we lose equilibrium.

I'm sure all of you could come up with hundreds of better ideas. Please post them through the comments if you'd like. I'd love to hear them.

Hope you have a great day with your family - Cami

http://www.camichecketts.com