Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching movies and a good Netflix binge, but I'm really thankful that I grew up without a TV. For better or worse, here are a few things that happen as a result.
1. You play outside more
If Mom can't sit you down in front of your favorite Barney video to get a break, she'll send you outside to play. This will most likely give her 30 seconds of peace and quiet before somebody decides to use the jump rope to tie up their siblings.
2. You read more books
Stories are fascinating to children and television offers plenty of them, but if there isn't a TV, you go searching for stories in other places, like books and magazines.
3. You miss references
"If you don't remember this, you're too young." Actually, I probably am old enough to remember it but wasn't exposed to movies beyond Veggie Tales from Sunday School and whatever movies we were lucky enough to watch in school.
4. TV becomes extremely distracting
If you aren't used to having a TV, anytime you're in a room with a TV playing, good luck focusing on anything other than the magic of the television screen.
5. You do cool things
Rather than watching the football game with Dad, we were hiking, playing basketball together in the driveway, or he was teaching us how to paddle a canoe.
6. You rely on your imagination
Whether it's a secret kingdom in the hole in the hedge in the backyard, or playing cops and robbers, our games were based on the classic games that kids have imagined for years, rather than influenced by the characters we saw on TV.
7. You talk to your family more
Without the background noise of a TV, you spend more time talking about your interests, the events of your day, and generally getting to know each other better.
8. You enjoy more hobbies
Maybe it's an extra dose of finger painting, learning to play an instrument, sewing, baking, building stuff in the garage, or working on cars, but not having a TV frees you up to pursue other activities to occupy your time.
