The Stay at Home Mother

Is television today being used by some parents to baby sit their children? The dangers are many, and once a child figures out how to change a channel, a parent can be exposing their child to very bad language and disturbing, violent images. All of which, can be seen and heard throughout the day, no matter what the time.

There are very few programs on television that can be considered “family friendly”. Before becoming a parent, I never really paid that close of attention or really even cared about this shift in programming. However as a parent - I'm now on high alert - always.

I wrote about this in my last article and it has bothered me for awhile. 
We aren't big TV watchers in my house, but  my I do enjoy shows like The Simpsons, Grey's Anatomy, and Entourage. So if the kids are asleep, then it is "mommy time".  But family time, means it should be time spent together doing things instead of opting for the couch and remote.

I want to encourage my children to be to be creative,independent thinkers, instead of relying on television to do it for them. I'm wondering what other families are doing (if anything) to get away from the lure of television?