Generally the TV is used as the baby sitter here in NZ.
We ditched the TV when my eldest daughter was 3…20 years ago. My children have access to the computer for schooling, eg Khan academy for maths, but most everything else is book and adult-based (they are able to learn effectively in a show-me-how format that is us and family friends). They have to “earn” recreational time on the computer by doing household chores, with a maximum of half-hour-per-day. Draconian eh?
Once they reach 16 they can have a phone, but not a wifi password nor mobile data plan, they come at 18; so that they are given prograssively more responsibility and freedoms, and are ready to understand that adults in this world do not have unlimited resources and freedoms, but that we must earn everything we have rather than rely upon others.
I am not saying ours is the only way to do it, nor the best, but it works to create moral, socially functional adults in our society, and they are not conditioned to accept the norm as being “right”. Instead they themselves see the difference they have to their peers, and whilst proud that they are home schooled, don’t rub it in others’ faces, just accept that everyone has a different journey, and that “with much privilege comes much responsibility”
I didn’t know this was still possible in today’s environment - and I hope the results are as described and continue to be so. No one can do more or better for their kids - the rest is up to them.
I wish your methods were more common in the world - their likelihood of good outcomes exceeds anything else I’ve seen.
There is always a danger that our children see us as “too controlling”, especially in comparison to their peers’ parents. But we temper that with the fact that they know that what we are doing is because of the troubles we see in the world, and the love we have for them. Our eldest did in fact accuse us of this, then went and proved that Mum+Dad were right after all; letting her siblings understand that maybe there is some method to the madness.
I have read most (if not all?) of the books that I acquired myself - occasionally not to the end (I have standards ) - however that leaves 2 bookcases and several boxes that were left by my sister. There is only so much I wish to know about dinosaurs - and birds - and minerals - and needlework - and painting with zero tralent The large selection of ‘for Dummies’ on subjects I don’t need are not in use either, no matter how good they may be!
On the other hand, I have multiple copies of the Rom Kernel Manuals for the Amiga - and knew where the versions differed. Not to mention ‘How to code in’ books on several languages! To each his own - but reading has defined me in many ways… tl;dr doesn’t apply to me - just title it right!
On the subject of books, I think the ebook is the best invention since sliced bread.
I’ve always been a reader, but like for so many, somewhere in adulthood time became an issue. Ebooks really triggered my reading enthusiasm again, with the ease and availability. Any subject you can think of, on any level - you’ve got any book within five minutes. I think that is fantastic, and have accumulated some 400-500 books on the android over the last decade.
Only downside is you can’t show off your e-bookshelfs in the house, but who friggin’ cares.
Agree with all that. Plus, if you ever need to move, physical books are like the heaviest burden to transport. I now carry a library on my tablet, that and comics.
Another big plus for e-readers is that you can take any number of books with you to the doctor’s office - the inevitable wait time is no problem! I rarely buy e-books (only) though - I tend to buy the paper version, then download the e-copy. I am a little more sure that the author benefits that way…
Our eldest did in fact accuse us of this, then went and proved that Mum+Dad were right after all; letting her siblings understand that maybe there is some method to the madness.
) - however that leaves 2 bookcases and several boxes that were left by my sister. There is only so much I wish to know about dinosaurs - and birds - and minerals - and needlework - and painting with zero tralent