my wife is a TV-addict; how do i break this habit?

Question

We have a 6 month daughter and I only want the best for her, but I'm worried that she will adopt my wife's terrible habit of parking her rear on the couch for hours, and never reach her full potential because she's so worried about missing a rerun of Surviver or can't live without American Idol. For some people, this is fine, but I don't want my daughter's potential hamperred by such an often useless addiction. Please offer real long term solutions, nothing like turn off the cable or break the TV!! The only way for this to work long-term is for my wife to come to the realization that this is best for all of us. THANK YOU!

Answer 1

well, unfortunately it is going to have to START with turning off the cable or getting rid of the TV, from personal experience the tv is like a drug and the only way to break the habit is to remove it. I grew up with hte tv on 24/ 7 and started out a tv addict. I began to get disenchanted with what I was seeing and refused to support what was on tv. my kids are growing up without tv and most people think that when they have the opportunity they will be glued to it in fascination but when they go somewhere and have the opportunity to watch, they eityher choose not to or get bored before hte end of a 1/2 hour program! Anyway, I am getting off subject.
First get rid of the tv or at the very least, put it on a timer where it will trun itself off and cannot be turned back on again without a key. The next step is finding something else to do. A lot of people get stuck in the tv rut because they dont know what else to do or are afraid of socializing because of low self esteem. Something that has helped my sister tremendously is a mom meet up group. They have them all over hte country, stay at home moms with infants to toddlers get together at different places to discuss child rearing, let the kids play and just hang out outside of the house, a MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers) would be great also, many churches host these.
You can encourage activities like this but ultimately she is the one who is going to have to make the choice to move. Get her a gym membership, most have child care programs, encourage her to get involved in some volunteering that she would be able to take the baby with her . There are a lot of different things but the main thing is getting out of the house and socializing with real people. Once she is doing this for a while and really making friends and getting involved , tv wont have such a powerful hold. You could probably reintroduce it. We do have a tv in the house but no antenna and no cable- we rent or borrow movies from the library and have family movie night. Other than that the tv never gets turned on during the week. You don't want to reintroduce the tv while she is still insecure or not quite comfortable with getting out and socializing- it will be too easy to crawl back into the shell and park back in front of the tv.
Another thing she could do is visit nursing homes on a regular basis- from having worked there I know so many elderly people are just abandoned by their families and stuck there- some of the llonliest saddest people light up like a Christmas tree when you bring in a baby or a child and let htem say hello and engage them in personal conversation. There is really no other way to break the habit except to make a conscience decision to do something else and for some that is much easier when the temptation is not there

Answer 2

Frankly, your comments sound more like a venue to criticize your wife, rather than bona fide concern for your daughter.

I expect you are spending plenty of time with your 6 month old daughter which gives mom a break - like taking Daddy and Daughter walks. My husband did this - even if he came home from work after dark - out they would go - baby packed in the baby backpack.

I expect you are spending time alone with you wife doing things you both enjoy without the baby sometimes. Sometimes being without the baby feels wrong and unnatural - but it is good for the couple which is the baby's ultimate strength.

I expect you have no indulgent habits of your own that annoy your wife.

If you are doing all the above without resentment, then I am sure your wife would welcome your concerns at some point and will want whats best for Dad and Daughter too.

Both you and your wife have to decide what's best for (as you put it) "all of us." This is a hard time for couples. Physical and mental fatigue can put the "screws" on the family joy.

You know what I'm talking about!

Answer 3

OK now after all that, I think you need to have a serious talk with your wife. Tell her your fears for your daughter, I would hope that she wants your daughter to be all the she can be also, and that wont happen sitting in front of the television. Your wife needs to break her habit now, so that she isn't a bad example to your daughter. Enlist the help of your physician if you have to, they will tell your wife that more than 1.5 hours a day is too much, and that any TV be for age 2 is frowned on.
Even if you can get your wife to get away from the set, by going on a outing with your daughter, say take a walk in the evening after dinner, make it a habit and when your daughter gets older she will be used to doing it, it will be fun.
You really have to get your wife to understand that this is a BAD thing when it comes to your daughter, that she chooses to do this is bad enough, but to pass that on to her child is really bad. Her school will suffer, and she will probably have weight issues due to this, try your best to fix it now!
GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

You could pull the plug on the TV.. but I doubt that that would do any good. So why not speak to your wife about this, make suggestions. Your daughter could be watching Sesame Street, even at this age..both spanish and english.. Tell your wife that when your daughter goes to lay down for a nap, she can watch her tv programs.. Maybe suggest both she and your daughter join one of those 'mom and child' afternoon get togethers.. they play with their babies/children.. take walks, have luncheons, etc. The hospital, doctor, or church may know of such a group, if your wife doesn't.
Life right now is about your daughter. She will form more of who she is during these first 5 years..
Good luck!

Answer 5

Ok Well I Use To Watch T.V All The Time The Way I Stopped Was By Going Out Like Going For Walks Or Going To Family Trips U Know That Stuff So Try It Out Yeah Good Luck!

Answer 6

WOW you sound angry that your wife enjoys the tele...your daughter will only have this "bad" habit if you let her. Your wife is an adult and she can make her own decisions, but if you don't want your daughter to be like her you will have to do something yourself. Try to make a compromise with your wife like she doesn't watch T.V. until your daughter is in bed or buy her a Tivo(not sure if it's spelled right). I don't think she really has a problem maybe she likes to relax after a really hard day of taking care of your baby.

Answer 7

Besides the obvious of getting rid of the TV (which you don't find acceptable), I would seriously suggest some counseling.

If she won't go with you, go alone. It sounds like she needs some behavior alternatives and perhaps so do you such that you two can do things together vs. watching the boob-tube.

There, a serious answer, I hope it helps Good luck!

Answer 8

You could try and sit down with your wife and let her pick a reasonable amount of shows she really wants to watch. Set aside time when your daughter is most likely to be up for play time for both of you.
Another options is Tivo or DVR for shows that are on during family time. It works great as long as you don't record everything under the sun.
I personally have my favorite shows, about 5 I guess that I don't miss. Some I record with the DVR and some I watch

Answer 9

Talk to your wife. Tell her that you have a young daughter who needs attention, and that you don't feel that she should be putting her tv watching addiction ahead of her family. You have to let her know that she is setting an example for your daughter, and that you want your daughter to be a happy, active little girl. If your wife protests, tell her that reality tv is a stupid, mindless form of "entertainment", and that she herself is wasting her time. You have to confront your wife, not angrily, but to explain your concerns. Tell her that reality programs are not for intelligent people, that she is too smart to waste her time watching them, and that you love her and want more family time.

Hey, Joni B, just because he is on Yahoo answers does not mean he is addicted to them. Did he offend you? Are you a viewer of these stupid shows as well?

Answer 10

Hide the remote control. Do something to keep her attention on something else. Play family games, plan a trip, take some nice course together, like cooking lessons or dance lessons. Then she will slowly stop watching so much tv. Keep her occupied.