Help Issue 6 - Part III - Copyright 1989 Mary Pride, 1997 Home Life, Inc.
HOME SCHOOLING TIPS
Diane Moos, CA
One schooling tip I would like to offer is concerning history and science. Of the two, I think history is more important, but I may be wrong about that.
[I agree that history is more important, because it provides the framework for a Christian worldview. It is also easier to pick up science at any age, whereas lack of historical knowledge means you can't place information you read about anywhere.-Ed.]
My advice is to teach either history OR science, but not both at the same time, especially if you have a houseful of kids, because it's too much for the teacher to keep in her mind at one-at least, in my poor little mind. After you finish the history text (we like A Beka), then begin the science text.
I have the children read their history books out loud to me as I do my chores. We find this to be very pleasant and companionable, plus I am able to ask and answer questions that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Timmy reads his history to his dad and me over lunch. I will enjoy Daniel's reading more when his voice finishes changing!
Laurie Paul, Canada
One thing I've done is to take the crayons and markers and scissors and paper out of the cupboard which was accessible but not seen and put them in a place where they can be seen. My 4 year old son who wasn't interested in coloring now seems to color and cut all day long.
Crystal Blanchard, TX
We began homeschooling about seven years ago. I was teaching a 4th-grader and 6th grader while nursing and caring for a 3-week old baby. At that time, I knew no one else who was teaching their children at home. I went through what you so aptly called "homeschool panic" and tried my best to continue the classroom situation of lecture, discussion, etc. During one geography lesson I laid the maps on the floor next to the baby and tried to talk about our lesson while Kitty and Jeff looked bored at my attempts and little Jennifer cried for lack of attention. It was frustrating.
I went through the first three months of school trying desperately to keep my children on a reasonable schedule: classes at 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. with break for lunch. Well, they finished their assigned work every day before lunch. Before six months were completed, they had gone through the entire school year. Both children finished high school studies by age 17.
Our 18-year-old is an interesting character. When Jeff was around 12, he was curious over a small computer we had temporarily stored in our home. He hooked that thing up and began working on it with tremendous results. He taught himself Basic and Pascal on the side while still homeschooling and wrote programs for a nearby computer firm. Once the company landed a contract with the Dallas Independent School District to write programs for them and Jeff's supervisor knew Jeff was the only one who could handle the assignment because no one else understood software.
Now Jeff is writing children's software for a large company and is teaching himself another computer language so he can reach the level of engineer. He will do it too.
I have reached the conclusion that preaching the gospel of the kingdom to every creature is nothing more than living the lifestyle of complete obedience to Him without wavering and doubting. In that way, the world looks at your family and notices that there is something obviously different about you. You can only point to Jesus-He makes all the difference in the world.
Susan Noel, OH
I'd like to see more in HELP on Home Schooling, especially teaching multiple children and suggestions on teaching with lots of little ones running around. Some ideas on teaching with a demanding 2-3 year old. I think nursing infants are the easiest to deal with, but the 2-3 year olds are more difficult. One suggestion I have is I use one set of bookshelves for their school supplies. Each child has one shelf, a bucket, for supplies (Crayons, scissors, etc.), and a dishpan for papers, books, etc. (Each child has a different color). That way everyone has the same things, even the toddlers with their Jumbo crayons. We bought an eight foot table (like the ones the Sunday School uses) and set it up in our dining room so there is plenty of room for everyone to do their work.
Robin Johnston, DE
It is always a little discouraging that you (Mary) can do so much with twice as many children, no help and seem to be heavily into academics. Sometimes I feel so inadequate. I think it might be helpful to some of us to see your weaknesses or what you'd like help with or whatever. Next issue!-Ed.
Mary Moldovan, NC
This fall we will begin teaching Karen and Anne at home. They have been in public school and have excelled there, academically. We also have not had any problems with their behavior or personalities as a result of their public education-so far. Because they are "doing so well," most of our friends and relatives cannot understand our decision to homeschool. Of course, we have simply become convicted that it is our God-given parental responsibility to do everything we possibly can to "train them in the way they should go." To us this means that we are not to wait until we encounter "problems" with the public school before making the change to home-school. Then again, just the humanistic philosophy is problem enough.
We have also been TV free for the past 10 months and I thank God that we no longer have the "world" in our living room! Being without a TV has brought untold blessings to our family and our only regret is that we didn't get rid of it sooner. We can see such positive changes in the children, in the way they get along together, have become voracious readers, and creatively entertain themselves. Not to mention the wonderful benefit of missing all that advertising hype.
We originally decided to give it up for just one month, but after that month was up - none of us wanted it on again. Not even Karen (11) who just "loved" nearly every show she watched. (Her math grades went from C's to A's.)
Crystal Blanchard, TX
Our oldest son was passively rebellious in his studies. No matter how structured his studies were, he continued to slide into a passive mode. He would do his work, but on his schedule. More often than not, I would find him reading a computer language book instead of his literature assignment.
After a couple of years of this, I decided that he was bent in a certain direction, and I was desperately trying to make him fit another mold. Finally, I realized that this child was teaching himself computer technology on the side and I wasn't catching on. We were both struggling with the rules and the way things ought to be done yet I failed to see him as he was.
When he was seventeen, he had a full-time computer-related job. He had already been constructing computers and learning about hardware and software for a few years when he reached the place where he set out on his own.
He is now nineteen, married to a lovely Christian girl and working to develop his own computer-based corporation. He has been independent since we let go and let God have him. Believe it or not, God has a better way of dealing with this child that we could imagine.
We've learned we don't know everything that is required for each individual child in every area of their lives to attain to Christlikeness. We rely heavily on the Lord to show us the way to walk with these children He has lent us. Sensitivity to the particular bent of each child is important. We can't shove our children in the same box and expect them to remain contained. Each one is different.
The beauty of home education is the child can freely develop into the person God designed him to be. The trappings of institutionalization have to let go. In Christ that child is a new creation and in the context of the family, the child is free to grow and be himself.
So what may wear the appearance of passive rebellion in a teenager's studies could be that the child doesn't fit into his prelabeled corrugated container. Discover with him his dreams, hopes, desires and aspirations. Discern whether they are of spiritual content or simply fleshly gratifications. If they are of the Lord, He will enable you to guide your child with sound wisdom onto the way he should go.
Robert McClelland, TX
Larry's favorite subject is history. Kathy's method is simple: she sits on the couch beside one of the boys and reads aloud the right-hand pages, while the student reads the left. They pause to discuss whatever strikes their fancy. We also use enrichment adjuncts such as biographies and tapes.
All the boys are using the Calculadder sheets you recommended to good advantage. We had been a little concerned that the boys weren't picking up the speed Kathy and I had gained through public school drill and competitiveness when we were kids. The boys enjoy using Midwest stuff such as Mindbenders. At present, mostly Midwest materials and computer chess comprise our Thinking Skills/Logic program. We may introduce formal logic around the seventh grade.
We've found that using chess computers (or computer software) is an excellent way to enforce stepped chess training, as the computer can be set to five handicaps (for example, removing the computer's queen and two rooks) and gradually reduce them as the beginner's skills increase. And once the handicaps are eliminated, the playing level difficulty can be gradually raised. Handicapping is important for two reasons; one, nothing is more frustrating to the beginner than always to lose; and two, it allows the fledgling to begin learning the attacking and checkmating phases right from the outset. And that's the exciting part! We use the Radio Shack 1850 chess computer and Electronic Art's Chessmaster 2100 program with our Apple computer. The boys keep a chart of their handicap levels and game results (W's, L's and D's), and occasionally the instructor (that's me) will play "across the board" with them to give pointers. But what in the world is chess doing in a homeschool program, anyway? Glad you finally asked! I'm convinced it helps in the development of concentration, memory and powers of deductive reasoning.
Vickie Welton, MI
This has been the most frustrating year for us since we started home educating our children six years ago. Besides all the normal challenges like motivating and juggling six kids at once, some bad study habits set in like a cancer that was doing us in. My husband and I tried everything we could think of, but nothing seemed to shrink these cancer cells. To name a few, we had cancer of the "not reading directions," "moaning cancer," and "sloppitis." Yet we consistently sought the Lord and waited for His practical insight to enlighten us.
These problems basically applied to our oldest son, but we knew they would rapidly spread to the other children if we didn't find a cure FAST.
Our son had coasted for a few years in his home studies, not really having to apply himself. Once I adjusted his curriculum to challenge him, the problems surfaced. It's hard to develop good study habits when things had been simple to grasp. My husband and I explained that it was time for him to reach for his potential. This caused frustration beyond belief! He didn't appreciate his academic gift, and often felt stupid instead of smart. We wanted to communicate to him that he needed to act responsible for what God had given him. I finally used an idea from the book, The Language of Love, by Gary Smalley and John Trent. This book teaches how to create word pictures to communicate more effectively.
I painted a word picture to grasp my boy's interest and sink my point deep into his spirit. To sum up, my picture compared his academic gift to a gift he gave me. It's a delicate piece of glassware he took great pride in selecting to give me, even though I didn't ask for it. I have to be very careful while dusting around it, not to knock it over, or it would chip. I explained to him it takes a little bit more effort on my part to treat it properly, but it's worth it. I told him to apply that to his "smarts" he didn't ask for. He doesn't understand why he was given "his" gift, but God entrusted him with it.
We wrote up a mutual contract that we both had to adhere to. If our son didn't break the contract for a given length of time, there was a bonus. The teacher, yours truly, also had to keep the contract. Students need to realize that we are accountable. It is my job that everything is explained thoroughly, etc. We also put up homemade posters in the study areas to remind and encourage.
C. S., OK
I get weary of homeschool "support" group meetings in which the parents sigh and roll their eyes and act like they're barely making it. I hear not-so-funny jokes about what are really discipline problems. During introductions last time one mother listed her children and ended with, "And I hope that's all!" and everyone LAUGHED. When it was my turn, I said, "And I hope that's NOT all!"
I often wonder if their quiet desperation in homeschooling began with bottlefeeding, babysitters and birth control. They fail to see that their attitude toward the blessing of children affects them every day. Although they're trying to do what's best for the children they have by homeschooling, their attitude of limiting their family and "just getting through this stage of diapers, teething, homeschooling, etc." makes the children an unpleasant chore instead of God's purpose for marriage. As a first-year homeschooler I attend the support group meetings for the little bits of information and field trips, but feel very "unsupported" in the attitude we have towards our family. I'm already considered "weird" for having home-births, breastfeeding past a year and staying home full-time, and it was disappointing to find that I'm even considered strange in my homeschool "support" group.
Mrs. N. A. Davis, MI
I hear the usual "socialization" garbage. That one is easy, I just ask anyone who mentions this if their kids can get along with, not only their peers, but much younger kids, much older kids, adults, and very old folks as well as our Mike. Of course they can't! Naturally it is because Mike is not forced to associate exclusively with his peers eight hours a day-unlike their kids!
We never knew where their ideas and standards came from, until I started teaching at home. We certainly didn't teach them disrespect, lying, stealing, drugs and alcohol.
They learned to gratify themselves above all, scream "abuse" if we wouldn't let them run wild, and behavior we never heard or dreamed of- "Kids rights" you know...
Beulah Wlliamson
Our daughter Becky and son-in-law Rob are enrolled in an intensive Bible study course through their church. Recently they have been studying the kings of Israel, and were assigned to learn the names of all 19 kings. They dutifully drilled each other that week and taped up a list of the kings in the kitchen as a memory jogger.
Jeroboam I, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Jorma, Jehu, Jehoahaz, Joash, Jeroboam II, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekah, Hoshea. One morning as Becky was chanting over the list to herself she was joined by another little voice. Five year old Rachel had been listening to those ancient names, and actually knew them better than Becky herself! Becky could hardly wait for Rob to come home to behold this wonder of a five year old confidently clicking off the names of Israel's kings! Every visitor to the home for the next few days was treated to the same recitation.
During one of these recitals Becky became aware that three year old Amy was sitting quietly (for a change!) in the corner murmuring to herself. Becky bent lower to listen. The nineteen kings of Israel! Perfectly! Three years old! (well, three and a half)... A very proud grandmother has verified these marvels via telephone.
So what is my issue in this story? To brag on our grandchildren? No really. I am convinced that any child, given the same conditions, could do the same. Let's look at those conditions from a child's point of view:
"This must be pretty important stuff. Look how hard mommy and daddy are working at it! They're enjoying it too! It looks like fun. I want to be just like them . . . think I'll listen close and see if I can get in on it. Oops! Mommy just missed Menahem. Doesn't she remember that he comes right after Shallum? Guess I need to help her."
That brings me the real point of this article. If I had mothering to do over again, I would take much more advantage of the precious, precious learning years- while children's minds are like thirsty sponges just swooshing up everything within reach. I would place a much higher priority on Bible memorization. I would make it a fun family project to learn not just isolated verses, but whole chapters! Romans 8! Ephesians 1! John 14! John 1! Psalm 27! Psalm 34! John 3! Genesis 1 & 3!
I would learn these along with my children, and I would reward them in appropriate ways-perhaps by enlisting church families to listen and enthuse over their accomplishments.
How rich in Scripture my grown children would be today if I had done that! How much more fully equipped for Kingdom Business! How much richer in true riches! Young mothers-please take note.
In Japan abortion is a very common form of birth control, and by "group consensus" families are kept to the size of two children-three at the very most. One of the standard questions asked at any hospital, when your pregnancy test comes back positive is- will you plan to keep this child or not?
Most Japanese families are quite well off, but consider it impossible to have many children, because of the high prices and the expense of schooling. Children are often sent to "Day School" from the age of 3, and (because of group pressure, which is quite strong in Japan) are certainly sent away from their mothers from 9:00 - 2:00 from the age of 4. Home Schooling is unheard of. The Ministry of Education (a government agency) controls all curriculum and all schools in the country. The official purpose of education (as specifically stated by the Ministry of Education) is to make citizens who are beneficial to the State! Peer pressure is commonly used (from Kindergarten on through one's entire life) to ensure conformity in a myriad of areas. These range from what is acceptable dress, to how many hours one must spend at work in the office, to what religion one must adhere to. It is a very rare Japanese person who can break from the power of the group, in customs of everyday life, or in ways of thinking. The Japanese society is the epitome of "socialization." You do what everybody else does, because everybody else does it.
As I discussed my ideas of education and child-rearing with one non-christian Japanese friend (after a Bible lesson in which she learned of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) she exclaimed, "Oh! I understand now! Christians want their children to become like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego . . . but we Japanese consider ourselves successful parents, if our children turn out like all the rest of the people who bowed down." Needless to say I'm home-schooling here.
Annetta Kraayeveld, WI
Because we had a large family (9+ children) with a variety of colors, due to adoption and foster care, we got a lot of snippy questions! While we have only four children we have had our share of humorous and annoying questions. Some of them have become family jokes, but rather than share any of those this time, I'd like to comment on "Snippy Questions."
Some people do throw some very rude and insensitive remarks at large families. Others rudely prod into private family matters. These types of questions need to be answered curtly and then ignored so that our children will not be insulted. However, I have found that oftentimes the questions and comments come out of sincere admiration or personal pain. I believe that most people go into parenthood with high expectations of joy and a desire to have a rich and fulfilling family experience. Unfortunately the world and even most Christians today don't teach a right perspective of what family life really is and how to train and enjoy children. It is the deception of Satan that binds them and we must be a loving and encouraging witness as we answer those often nerve grating questions. Let's be very cautious to aim our arrows at the enemies and bathe the wounded in oil.
Kathy Salazar, West Germany
I ordered HELP mainly to get your Zippy Answers to Snippy Questions column and I've not been disappointed! We all love that Column! The whole family gathers around and shares some hearty laughs as I read it aloud. All the children have noticed people's comments about the size of our family. And we "only" have four children! Please keep Zippy Answers in every issue. We're looking forward to the next one already.
A column in an Australian newsletter:
One of the undoubted benefits of a large family are the conversations you inevitably find yourself in from time to time. I'm not referring to the incessant conversations you have with your children, that tax your knowledge, your energy, and your patience. No, I'm referring to those jejune conversations with adults, that tend to follow formal introductions. One class of conversations conforms approximately to the following schema:
How many kids do you have?
Eight.
Eight! How old are they?
Well, we have twin girls age 10, another girl age 8, then a boy age 7, then twin boys age 5, another girl age 3, and lastly a baby girl-she's 10 months or so.
Along the way, you've been observing the look of incredulity on the other's face, as he desperately struggles with the notion that you're pulling a cruel hoax on him. When he finally convinces himself that you are quite serious, out comes the fateful question:
Does your wife work?
to which the only meaningful reply is something like:
No, she broke down a while back, and I haven't had her fixed yet.
There are other questions, other conversations. The news that your wife is pregnant always provides fertile ground for profound questions.
What! Another one?
No, actually we recycled the first one.
Are you going to call it quits now?
Well, we were going to call it Stephen if it's a boy...
Eileen Smith, VA
I love Zippy Answers and especially Holly Sullivan's letter. I, too, get the question, "Are they all yours?" I only have four. But people asked that and said, "You sure have your hands full!" when I only had three. I agree with Holly that we need to realize how blessed we are with our children. But we need to be sensitive to the Spirit behind what people are saying. I've even caught myself wanting to ask other mothers the same types of questions just because I wanted to see if here was someone like me.
Most people who have said anything to me have been good natured and I feel so proud and blessed that, yes, they are all mine that maybe I just take it as a compliment! My favorite is, "You look so young to have all those children!" (Wouldn't that be any mother's favorite?)!
Jo Blasco
Q. Are they all yours?
A. No I always borrow a few extra-I like to travel in a crowd!
Bill Pride, MO
Q. Are they all yours?
A. No, some of them are midget bodyguards!
Mrs. Martin Hudzinski, PA
Another problem I think needs to be addressed (as you noted last issue) is the "persecution" from those within the church. We can expect our lives to invite the criticism of the ungodly, but when purported Christians heap on the abuse, criticism, sarcasm, and snide remarks, it is time to rebuke per Matthew 18. We have had very few nasty comments about our family size (sixth baby in 9 1/2 years is due any day) nor about our choice for me to stay home. We are outspoken about what Scripture teaches and ready with a reply (armed, as you suggest!). My husband's favorite is spoken with a faraway look in his eye and a wistful voice, "Six... a nice start, don't you think?"
Felicia M. Beeching
Reader's Digest has Life in These United States which, according to them, is "revelatory of adult humor." Since HELP often deals with heavy topics, why not have a "Home Life Humor" column of true stories "revelatory of family humor?"
Good idea! Just to kick things off, Felicia included the following two funny-but-true family stories:
Having a very unusual heritage, Canadian by birth of French, Eskimo, and Asian ancestry, and being adopted, hardly anyone can guess my "nationality." We also live between several small Indiana towns where there are rarely minorities.
You can imagine my surprise when at the grocery store my five-year-old daughter said excitedly, "Mommy! Mommy! I just saw a woman who looks exactly like you!" I was pushing my cart around the corner and hadn't noticed anyone.
"Back on the other aisle is that lady," she said while tugging at my skirt. I decided to give a discreet look-see as we returned to the previous aisle. "Honey," I calmly whispered trying to damper her enthusiasm, "I don't see anyone around here who looks like me."
"I do!" she shouted. "There's a lady here who looks just like you, Mommy!" My eyes followed her pointed finger. I turned to see (a shelf of) Aunt Jemima with her red bandanna looking at me!
Our seventh-grade son was working on a vocabulary list along with his sixth and fifth grade sisters. They had to look up the definitions and then use the word in an original sentence.
Our son prides himself out loud about how much better he is than his sisters. In fact, his father and I have had to discipline him a lot about what comes out of his mouth. So you can imagine the peals of laughter we all shared when I read his definition to his father:
"Clever: having a quick mind, or snart. I am clever."
Anonymous TV executive, MD
It is wonderful to read letters from parents who are conscientious and serious about arming their children with real wisdom and the kind of character that can make them truly great. The comments about life without television can never be overemphasized. I'm a Washington, DC media consultant and have seen a tragedy your readers obviously want to avoid: Children whose parents have painstakingly built years of wisdom and common sense into their offspring then introduce grave and threatening confusion via today's media.
One reader mentioned "All Things Considered" in passing; that professional-sounding, taxpayer supported radio newscast is a good example of confusing media. That program is consistently guilty of the worst journalistic dishonesty, deceitful editorializing, glamorization of enemies of the United States, omission of truth, criticism of Judaeo-Christian perspective and one-sided misrepresentation of facts. But it always sounds like a professional, authoritative newscast.
Your readers sound like they are on guard against the evils of "entertainment" programs. In my opinion, news shows and commercials are the two single, greatest threats to young viewers' and listeners' understanding of their world.
Jackie Torkelson, AK
I could write about the usual benefits of not being tied to the TV, more family time, more creative children, etc., but I want to comment on something I have never heard before: that is the choice of my children's heroes. It took me several years to realize this. When they would play with the other cousins, or even just at home with each other, they never played like they were "He-man" or any other common children's heroes They would pretend they were Aunt Sue and Uncle Rob getting a new baby, or the pastor and his family, or other adults and families that we admire. After their cousins moved from Alaska, they would often pretend they were coming to visit, and have great fun taking turns being the different people in our extended family.
One day Ben, age 7 at the time, and I were playing a new game that involved drawing a descriptive card and then a letter card, and figuring out a word that starts with that letter, fitting the description. The two cards Ben drew were the letter "k" and a "well-known person." I knew he did not know many famous people and wondered whom he would come up with. He said, "Aunt Katherine starts with "K" and we know her well." Another plus for no TV and their heroes.
One of the other things I appreciate so much is the lack of commercials. I know that I don't need to tell how selfish most children are about gifts at Christmas, but the contrast was so great here. I took a trip to Indiana to visit my parents. I returned on Christmas Eve. My plane was late, so Clarence had time to kill while the whole family waited for me at the airport. A "Santa Claus" was there and asked the children what they wanted for Christmas. We are NOT a Santa family, and I think this was a new experience for the children. Hanna, age 5 at the time, spoke first and said she wanted her own bottle of glue, the others followed with scotch tape, a pair of new scissors, markers, etc.
Santa was taken off guard and kept asking, "Is that all?" I related the story to my sister, Katherine, and she shared this one with me. She worked in a large department store over the Christmas rush. She told of a woman that came in declaring how much she hates Christmas. She said that they have five children and spend around $5,000.00 every Christmas for them and that they still aren't satisfied. She said instead of many "smaller" gifts, last year they had five motor bikes in the living room when the children came down Christmas morning, and they said, "Is this all??!!" She was beside herself wondering what to get them this year.
Hanna got her own glue, by the way, and was thrilled. I'm sure we would never have that contentment if they watched TV commercials.
Kathy von Duyke, DE
We know a couple with 5 children who have a TV, but it is not a normal part of their lifestyle. I don't feel I could control myself that well yet. Without TV the kids greet Daddy enthusiastically, I am less crabby trying to sneak my show in (How I loved the humanism in MASH), my husband accomplishes more, and lastly we are all slim! Somebody ought to do a study of diet and TV viewing...
Judy Pedersen, WY
Once, about 5 years ago, Gerald was taking a class via TV. We borrowed a TV for the weeks involved. (It's amazing how many people have extras!) I was an at-home-mother with our first born so, never really over my addiction, I thought I'd watch a "few" shows. Perfectly harmless shows like "Bonanza" and "Little House on the Prairie." The next day I couldn't help but notice that it was fast approaching 9:00 a.m. when those shows would start. I hurried my chores and my toddler thinking, "What I don't finish now, I can take care of at 11:00 a.m. when those shows end." Within a few days, "those" shows became "my" shows and my new schedule was cemented. Just like that I was committing two hours of my life everyday to an activity that days earlier I wasn't even considering. I was awakened to this waste one day when Katie (my toddler) beckoned me for something. I snapped, "Don't interrupt, I don't want to miss what's going on!" Instantly I realized what was happening. I guess I fully expected my child to need absolutely no attention from me for two hours outside of what I could squeeze into commercial breaks. My committment to being TV-less deepened. I was glad to see that TV go when Gerald's class was over...
Have you ever thought about how your TV influences the arrangement, usage and size of your home? It's not like the average piece of furniture that only consumes the space it sits on and some clearance. Your TV has an audio and visual field to accommodate. You need to try to get all the chairs and couches facing the TV to facilitate optimum viewing from every seat. The audio field is even more of a problem. Any other "noisemaker" (like a game being played, music being listened to, or an aspiring instrumentalist doing his or her thing) will be in conflict with the TV. What most people have done is establish more than one entertainment space in their homes which, in some cases, necessitates having a bigger house. That means more house to clean, repair and pay for. Who wants that? Other people simply eliminate the other activities which conflict with TV watching.
In our 10 years of being TV-less we have never seemed to need more than one entertainment space. In a typical evening at home you may find us doing a variety of things together or individually in that one space. The usual activities are reading, playing, computing, piano practicing, homework, chores, etc. We can easily be interrupted during any of these activities. Sounds nice, doesn't it? And it all happens in a rather moderately sized house with only one entertainment space.
We've wondered at times whether having no TV would make any difference in our kids lives. A couple of Decembers ago Gerald was listening to a co-worker lamenting that her children were relentlessly badgering her for a whole array of toys they had seen advertised on TV. She could see that Gerald wasn't identifying with that experience. He responded, "Our kids really haven't been asking for anything." She then remembered, "You don't have a TV, do you? Well that explains it." Gerald left that conversation with an appreciation that we are spared the TV advertiser's influence on our kids...
Julie Flanagan, CA
We get along fine without TV most of the time, so what are we doing instead? I got up from my few moments of respite (reading your magazine) to find out just what the members of my family were doing instead of watching TV this fine California summer evening before dinner.
As you read this list, keep in mind that we are on what the Navy calls "Holiday Routine" this week. (Dad is in the Navy) This means for us that after the essentials get done, such as devotions, chores, scripture memory, Bible Reading, and a few other minor tasks, we are "Off" to do what we want (within reason.)
Mom uses her spare time (whatever that is) to write, act as taxi-driver for various appointments, prepare lesson plans, teach kids at home, answer the phone, sing and play in a Gospel Trio, give music lessons, supervise the home-schooling families, lead a 4-H club and AWANA group, teach a neighborhood backyard Bible Club, participate in a computer club, and practice the clarinet, piano, synthesizer, etc. Dad works hard, leads in daily devotions and Bible reading, goes fishing, rides and fixes bicycles, works out on weights, runs, plays hard with the kids, takes kids to the library, and teaches AWANA and Sunday School Classes. He added this comment at the end of the list-making lots of kids! Who has time for television?