Several years back I heard John Piper say that he doesn’t have a television. My first thought was, “He is more of a freak than I thought.” My second thought was, “Poor kids.”
However, now the TV gets about as much attention in our house as the Christmas decorations. What happened? And why?
In our home we have 5 kids (1 on the way). They range in age from nearly 2 to nearly 16. Their TV habits and interests vary quite a bit. My wife could care less if she ever watches TV again. However, I am they guy that enjoys sports. I have, in the past, watched concurrent episodes of Sports Center just to do it. I enjoy Red Sox Baseball, Celtics hoops, and all of the NFL. On top of that, I live in Omaha. And part of any successfull correspondence with the locals is speaking the language of Nebraska Football. (That last sentence was robed in missional talk but it is really me saying that I am a big College Football fan in general and Husker fan in particular).
Needless to say TV had the potential to dominate. And it did. So, we restricted things, starting with me.
What I noticed was interesting.
I really stopped caring so much. Over the next couple of years I was becoming less inclined to watch a game that I didn’t care about. I was doing more around the house (not building or fixing–perish the thought–but with the fam).
On the other side I noticed that the kids were really without structure or boundries. We were imposing this reduction on TV without any real boundries. Sometimes they would ask to watch it or play games and we’d get frustrated. It wasn’t a good leadership technique for empowering kids to be self-governed and sensitive to house rules.
That’s when we decided to do ‘Technology Time’. This is basically a block of time, usually 3-4 hours on a Saturday where the kids can play games, watch TV (Netflix), or do whatever. This time is not ‘guarenteed’ or ‘earned’. It is on the schedule but if something else is more important or comes up, then it is punted. There probably will not be a make-up time.
The kids actually enjoy it. My son has built a barn and my girls are now making clothes for their baby sister. Just kidding. They enjoy the structure and the break from working hard during the week. It has been good.
Within this time we have cancelled DirecTV. We just never watched it. It was a stewardship issue and we needed the $40 a month. The only thing I watched on Cable anyway was Nebraska Football. I’ll have to work out something for next fall.
Here are some items that I have noticed:
1) Creativity has increased. The kids paint, do crafts, and work on the piano more. There is a direct corrolation to a decrease in TV and increase here.
2) Expectations are clear. We are not fielding questions about TV and video games all the time. This means that we don’t have to say ‘no’ so much. It is good to save your no’s as parents.
3) They appreciate TV/Games more. They are more thoughtful in their choices. They seem to enjoy what they watch and not want to jump right on to something else.
4) They communicate better. As a group (the 4 older ones) have to work out schedules because we only have so many devices. This causes them to work together. There are many gospel lessons here about putting others first (Phil 2).
5) They are reading more. This could be assumed. But it is true. They were already big readers but it has increased greatly.
This has been a good overall move for our family. It is not for everyone. However, every family, particularly Christian families, need to evaluate what is coming into the home and then into the ears and eyes and minds of the family. There is a stewardship of time principle to consider but at the same time a stewardship of people (Eph. 6.4).
And just so I am clear: I do not think that God loves me more because I don’t watch TV very much or have cable (nor does he love less those who do). My (and everyone’s) basis for standing acceptable and loved before God is not what I do or don’t do but what Christ did for me (2 Cor. 5.21). This is a preference decision made by me for my family. It should not be seen as a template for sanctification or means by which you can earn God’s favor.
Why do I share it then? Good question. I guess I share it so that it may help people think and evaluate. Even though I came down differently than John Piper when I heard his comments several years ago I was challenged to think and evaluate my life. I am thankful for that brother’s willingness to be considered strange and/or wierd. If I can get you to think and evaluate, then this post hit its mark. Being thought of as weird is a bonus.
Update: Andy Naselli previously compiled quotes from John Piper on why he doesn’t have a TV. Thanks Andy!