TV Free Home Vs Olympics

sugarfish · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 01:28 PM

Heh... we don't watch tv full stop... ever... it's lovely! We have been this way for the past 6 years as we just feel that tv does not enhance any aspect of our lives.

I do quite enjoy watching the Olympics... when I was a kid, we didn't have tv either, but my parents would always hire a tv for a month or so every 4 years just to watch the Olympics (very sporting family), but now I could easily just not watch any of it at all... we didn't watch the last Olympics.

However we got a note home from one of the kid's teachers recently that asked us to please ensure our child watches the opening ceremony and some of the games as they will be studying it all term...

Now we are considering going out and buying some special thing that we would have to plug in the wall to get reception here... hmm... annoying.

The only problem is, if we do that then we will technically no longer be a "tv free house" and I am concerned that we will get sucked in to sneaking it out for "important" or "very interesting and educational" things... lol

Other options we are considering include going to friend's house to watch the opening ceremony or asking Grandma to tape it for us.

We'll see how we go...

Is anyone else in this situation?

Marmee · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 01:31 PM

Hi Ruth,

Not in your situation, but wouldn't mind it

- well, a trial of it, anyway.

I would favour the idea of someone taping it for you.

Good luck with it

hanabi · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 02:24 PM

It's possible to rig your computer so you get TV reception and 'real-time' picture. Perhaps this is an option for you.

One point I'd like to add, just for interest, is that TV *can* provide a diversity of learning that we can't access in real life. There is social research that supposedly shows kids who do not watch quality television are at a learning disadvantage to those who do. We use a media centre for all our TV viewing so that we can program which shows we want to watch, store them indefinitely, and watch them at our convenience without the advertising. It has totally reformed our family's media consumption.

kristamumof3 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 05:30 PM

I am a huge Olympics fan. I think that it is a fantastic learning opportunity for children to truly understand how big the world is. I would definately tape it or go to watch it at someone elses house. You don't need to compromise your principles. You will probably be able to see a fair amount on the computer.

kristamumof3 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 08:14 PM

I just had a look at what time the Opening Ceremony starts and it's not until 10:08pm (Sydney time) 8:08pm Bejing time. It looks like we will have to find someone to tape it for us.

**Susan** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 08:52 PM

We do have a television and honesty I would rather live without it. But I am not the only one with a say in it unfortunately...

I am wondering what "quality" television is define as Jodie?

hanabi · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susan

We do have a television and honesty I would rather live without it. But I am not the only one with a say in it unfortunately...

Same here, but switching to a media centre has convinced me otherwise. We don't fight about it anymore.

Quote:

I am wondering what "quality" television is define as Jodie?

Whatever you define quality TV as Susan. Generally if falls into the kind of stuff that's on the non-commercial channels but not always. It would all be relative to the interests of the viewer, I'm sure.

And I won't be watching much of the Olympics because the advertising/sponsorship drives me nuts. Might make an exception for the gymnastics though.

jezza · #8 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 10:09 PM

We've been tv-free for 4 years, but have borrowed a tv just for the Olympics. It's quite nice to have it for this time - but the ads drive me nuts - I could never go back to watching tv regularly!

J

theycallmemum · #9 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 11:51 PM

Wish I could go TV free at home! Did you see the opening ceremony? Absolutely fantastic!

sugarfish · #10 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 02:43 AM

Well Grandma taped the opening ceremony for us, and we watched it today and the kids all really enjoyed it. We are heading away for a few days shortly and will be staying in a motel, so we can get our Olympic fix then.

I'm happy because we don't have to bring tv into the house and yet we are still getting to see the Olympics... so it's all good :-)