I got rid of our TV when we moved. My kids found other ways to entertain themselves, even if we're not totally screen-free.
A parent shares her experience of removing the television from her home to reduce her children's screen dependency. She concludes that while a completely screen-free life was not sustainable, finding a balance has improved her family's daily habits.
Why it matters
This personal account reflects a broader cultural conversation about managing digital consumption and screen time in modern parenting.
The author doesn't have a TV screen in her new house, so her kids sometimes watch movies and shows on her laptop. Courtesy of Jillian Pretzel When we moved to a new house, I decided the TV wouldn't be coming with us. I pictured a screen-free life, and my three kids found other ways to entertain themselves. But when I had a babysitter over, I let them watch TV on my laptop. We've found a balance. When my three kids and I moved earlier this year, I carefully packed our clothes, books, and toys. But when it came time to box up the TV, I stopped. This move, I realized, was an opportunity for a fresh start. This could be the beginning of a television-free life . I'd never considered having a TV-less household.
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