We were sitting there on Saturday afternoon, had just started watching the Georgia game. For those not from the south, that's college football. If you are from the south, I could've said watching Georgia and you would've known what I meant. We've got to clarify for those on the other side of the world. Okay, we were sitting and watching the football game when the screen went to half size, gave a few little wiggles, and promptly shut down. Our television died.
Now that my not seem like such a big deal at first. We've got a television in the bedrooms, maybe one in the kitchen or other rooms, right? Wrong. We are a strange household. We have this crazy notion that we only have one tv. If you're going to watch it, you watch with everyone. With five people in the house, that means taking turns. It limits your time and keeps you accountable for the things you watch. The same is true for our computer. I do have a laptop (unavailable to little people), and Jack has an older computer in his room that just plays games, but the only computer with internet access for the whole family is--yep, you guessed it--right out in the open.
Jack had a friend spend the night a while back and the boy was in culture shock. He couldn't believe we only had one television or that the Wii didn't work in the bedrooms. The lack of these things never bother our kids. They've each come at one time in their life and asked for a tv for their room for Christmas. I just tell them that isn't something we'll do, because then they'll spend all their time in the bedroom and none with us, and we would miss them. Do you know what they say? "Yeah, I guess that's right." And they haven't asked again. And they don't fight over the television or the computer. The person with homework trumps the person playing a game. It goes in order of who asked first, and their time is limited, so you know you'll get your turn.
Back to the dead television. With only the one for the whole family, I thought the loss of it would be a major deal. No, no one has really minded. I think we've each flopped on the couch out of habit at least once, and then remembering, gone on our way. No complaining, no whining, no "I'm bored." It's quieter, it's easier to get everyone to the supper table, there's more playing together, and in general, more fun. I've told them I don't know when, or if, I'll replace it. And that seems to be okay with everyone.
What about you? How many televisions? Would you go without? What would you miss most?
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