I Can Stop Anytime


Hello, my name is Fairly Odd Mother, and I am an addict.

When I told my oldest, eight-year-old Belly, that Monday starts TV Turnoff Week, she asked me, a bit mischievously, “Does that include the computer too?

Without a beat, and because I was cranky, I said, “Yes, it means all screen time.”

“You too?”

Crap. What about me indeed.

Even though we did this in ’07 and ’08, I have never really participated in TV Turnoff Week. I just wait until they are sleeping and then I flick on whatever show I want to see and, well, cheat. Heck, isn’t this week created to get KIDS off of the screen, not their parents. Right? RIGHT?!

But, honestly turning off the TV? That wouldn’t be all that hard—I have a zillion book recommendations from you all (I just finished reading Geek Love. Whoa boy, is that one messed up book!), and while I’d miss my Tough Love for the week, I’d survive. But the computer? Well, that is where things get sticky.

First, I have a job. And, I have two (soon three) blogs to keep current. I pay bills online, my calendar is on the computer, I order library books through the library website. I am known to search for “quick dinner recipes” at 5pm many nights a week. And email is how most people keep in touch with me (I loath the phone).

But, I also love Twitter. I have 120 blogs in my Reader. I have a Facebook account. I turn to my laptop when I’m bored, when the kids are playing together, when the house is asleep and I’m alone with the TV.

And, yeah, I turn to it too much.

So, for Belly, I will go dark (ish). I will still do my work, and will not hesitate to look something up on the internet for our homeschool or to check the calendar. I’ll check email 2-3 times a day (believe me, that is a huge cut back). I may update my blog(s), but at night, after the kids are sleeping.

And, the TV will go dark except for my daily workouts for Team Bob (no one is messing with my quest for a six pack!).

But, no Facebook, no Twitter. Period. No Google Reader (but seriously, if something major happens in the blogosphere, please email me, okay? I don’t want to miss a major joy or tragedy because of this test of willpower).

And, no TV.

If the kids can do it, so can I, right? wimper

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Tragically, another blogging mama lost a child a few days ago. My heart goes out to Gorillabuns whose son Thalon died unexpectadly. As a fellow mom to two girls and then one precious little boy, I can’t even imagine the pain she must be going through with the loss of her little man.

Comments

  1. ahhh hahahahahahahahaha! You unplug? I love it. I’ll make sure to CALL you that week.

  2. ahhh hahahahahahahahaha! You unplug? I love it. I’ll make sure to CALL you that week.

  3. ahhh hahahahahahahahaha! You unplug? I love it. I’ll make sure to CALL you that week.

  4. A Crafty Mom says

    I was sick for the past week and was hardly on Twitter – I think I became more sick having withdrawal from it 🙂 I agree, I could easily go without TV, I hardly watch it, but I could likely not go more than a day or two without computer time.

    Kudos to you – it’s a great thing for your children to do, and you’re putting on a brave front 🙂

  5. A Crafty Mom says

    I was sick for the past week and was hardly on Twitter – I think I became more sick having withdrawal from it 🙂 I agree, I could easily go without TV, I hardly watch it, but I could likely not go more than a day or two without computer time.

    Kudos to you – it’s a great thing for your children to do, and you’re putting on a brave front 🙂

  6. A Crafty Mom says

    I was sick for the past week and was hardly on Twitter – I think I became more sick having withdrawal from it 🙂 I agree, I could easily go without TV, I hardly watch it, but I could likely not go more than a day or two without computer time.

    Kudos to you – it’s a great thing for your children to do, and you’re putting on a brave front 🙂

  7. Ouch. My work is online too – but I might consider giving up twitter, facebook, and google reader next week too. Consider. But I can’t give up writing my blog – cause where else would I whine about it?

  8. Ouch. My work is online too – but I might consider giving up twitter, facebook, and google reader next week too. Consider. But I can’t give up writing my blog – cause where else would I whine about it?

  9. Ouch. My work is online too – but I might consider giving up twitter, facebook, and google reader next week too. Consider. But I can’t give up writing my blog – cause where else would I whine about it?

  10. Oh, Geek Love! That one haunted me for months.

    Good luck with this. I’m contemplating a modified plan for it myself.

  11. Oh, Geek Love! That one haunted me for months.

    Good luck with this. I’m contemplating a modified plan for it myself.

  12. Oh, Geek Love! That one haunted me for months.

    Good luck with this. I’m contemplating a modified plan for it myself.

  13. I unofficially gave up google reader like a year ago. It’s why I forget to visit my favorite blogs sometimes. But you know…if it comes down to blogs versus time with my kids…

    Okay, sometimes the blogs win.

    Good luck going dark. You’re a crazy nut.

  14. I unofficially gave up google reader like a year ago. It’s why I forget to visit my favorite blogs sometimes. But you know…if it comes down to blogs versus time with my kids…

    Okay, sometimes the blogs win.

    Good luck going dark. You’re a crazy nut.

  15. I unofficially gave up google reader like a year ago. It’s why I forget to visit my favorite blogs sometimes. But you know…if it comes down to blogs versus time with my kids…

    Okay, sometimes the blogs win.

    Good luck going dark. You’re a crazy nut.

  16. Our TV died back in November, and we haven’t replaced it. Which was difficult for my 4-year-old at first, but we’ve all adjusted very well in the intervening 5 months.

    But I won’t lie. I spent a lot more time on the computer now. I even watch my favourite shows on the computer. I’ve given up TV, but I’m not sure how well I would do giving up my internet addiction.

    Good luck!

  17. Our TV died back in November, and we haven’t replaced it. Which was difficult for my 4-year-old at first, but we’ve all adjusted very well in the intervening 5 months.

    But I won’t lie. I spent a lot more time on the computer now. I even watch my favourite shows on the computer. I’ve given up TV, but I’m not sure how well I would do giving up my internet addiction.

    Good luck!

  18. Our TV died back in November, and we haven’t replaced it. Which was difficult for my 4-year-old at first, but we’ve all adjusted very well in the intervening 5 months.

    But I won’t lie. I spent a lot more time on the computer now. I even watch my favourite shows on the computer. I’ve given up TV, but I’m not sure how well I would do giving up my internet addiction.

    Good luck!

  19. Are you reviving NEM? Because I was just about to ask Tania if I could do it. Could you let me know what you’re planning?

    Read Geek Love when it first came out and I’m STILL haunted by it. Try Russell Brand’s new autobiography MY Bookie Wook. It’s excellent.

    I lived without TV for 18 years. Now they would have to pry the remote out of my cold dead hands. No way am I ever giving up TV.

  20. Are you reviving NEM? Because I was just about to ask Tania if I could do it. Could you let me know what you’re planning?

    Read Geek Love when it first came out and I’m STILL haunted by it. Try Russell Brand’s new autobiography MY Bookie Wook. It’s excellent.

    I lived without TV for 18 years. Now they would have to pry the remote out of my cold dead hands. No way am I ever giving up TV.

  21. Are you reviving NEM? Because I was just about to ask Tania if I could do it. Could you let me know what you’re planning?

    Read Geek Love when it first came out and I’m STILL haunted by it. Try Russell Brand’s new autobiography MY Bookie Wook. It’s excellent.

    I lived without TV for 18 years. Now they would have to pry the remote out of my cold dead hands. No way am I ever giving up TV.

  22. I’ve declared that computer time doesn’t count since it’s work for me, but then if the baby comes next week I may be giving it up for a week anyway. LOL

  23. I’ve declared that computer time doesn’t count since it’s work for me, but then if the baby comes next week I may be giving it up for a week anyway. LOL

  24. I’ve declared that computer time doesn’t count since it’s work for me, but then if the baby comes next week I may be giving it up for a week anyway. LOL

  25. I could/should definitely do this. Well…after Biggest Loser and American Idol are over. Then definitely.

  26. I could/should definitely do this. Well…after Biggest Loser and American Idol are over. Then definitely.

  27. I could/should definitely do this. Well…after Biggest Loser and American Idol are over. Then definitely.

  28. Chicky Chicky Baby says

    Like I told you last week, you are a better person than I am.

    But I’m here cheering you on. From twitter and facebook and blogs. 😉

  29. Chicky Chicky Baby says

    Like I told you last week, you are a better person than I am.

    But I’m here cheering you on. From twitter and facebook and blogs. 😉

  30. Chicky Chicky Baby says

    Like I told you last week, you are a better person than I am.

    But I’m here cheering you on. From twitter and facebook and blogs. 😉

  31. Issas Crazy World says

    I can honestly tell you that I just can’t do it. You are a brave, brave woman to even attempt it. 🙂

  32. Issas Crazy World says

    I can honestly tell you that I just can’t do it. You are a brave, brave woman to even attempt it. 🙂

  33. Issas Crazy World says

    I can honestly tell you that I just can’t do it. You are a brave, brave woman to even attempt it. 🙂

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