MJSD, why must you rock my quasi-peaceful world?

It rolls around every January, and I'll say, with some embarrassment, that I dread receiving the notice in the boys' folders. It's TV turnoff week. Of course, participating is voluntary, but what kind of mother would I be if I didn't encourage the boys to sign the paper forsaking all screen time from Monday morning until Friday at 11:59 p.m. (yes, it actually states that)? Oh, they're one of those families that can't give up TV for even a week, I imagine the boys' teachers noting. (Really, I'm sure teachers have nothing better to do than monitor my family's moral compass.)

As I imagine it is with many parents, my relationship with the boys watching TV and playing video games is an uncomfortable one. I know I'm supposed to look askance at this pastime that so consumes most kids. At the same time, I, like many, have come to rely on the peace and quiet that allowing the kids to watch a show or two or play Wii can afford. A quick Google search reveals that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids older than 2 watch no more than one to two hours of quality television programming each day. So my kids stay well within the time limit, but the quality probably is more questionable. Somehow I doubt that Ninjago counts as quality programming.

The part of me that wants to justify my choices looks at it this way: I like to kick back and turn off my brain at the end of the day with a show or two. Why shouldn't my kids be able to do the same, in moderation, of course. We have no issues with failure to complete homework. They deserve this time. Besides, playing Wii or Playstation can count as physical activity. Sort of. Right??? Then the cynic speaks up: will one week of no screen time really get my kids to wholeheartedly embrace non-screen-based activities? Please.

Inevitably, though, guilt has its chance to talk. The part of me that's always looking at my parenting skills critically chimes in: are you serious with your lame attempts to sugarcoat your lack of willpower in letting your kids look at a screen each day? When I took Ben to his well child visit last fall, our doctor asked how we handle screen time. "I get two hours a day," Ben piped up before I could get a word in about how "we allow them a set amount of time each day." (See if you get to play today after embarrassing me, kid!) Our doctor then began to talk about his reservations about TV and video games. They offer a kind of instant gratification that he worries isn't beneficial to kids. Don't worry, he said, though, I know you're a great mom who makes good decisions. Boy, did I not feel like one at that moment. I won't be able to say this without sounding like I'm lying, but Ben really doesn't play two hours a day. It's more like an hour and a half, but still.

So I'm left living with my discomfort. Each January, I'll still greet TV turnoff week with a sense of dread, I'm sure. I don't think my cynicism voice* is right, though. It's good for the kids to be forced out of their routines from time to time, and it's good for me too.

*Lest you begin to worry about my mental health, let me clarify that I don't actually hear voices. Most days.