Description of technique for limiting kids' TV-time:
For many of us, the televison is the focal point of our living rooms. We often arrange our furniture, and consequently our lives, around it! I found that when I unplugged the TV (and my children!) and took it out of our living room (yes, my kids were temporarily in shock!) that in due time, my children's creativity and imaginations soared! Instead of spending their time watching other people on television have fun, they now create their own! We do still watch television, but our viewing is limited to one show a day. (We alternate who chooses the program and also make exceptions for special programs, etc.) Also, it is quite an effort to haul the TV back and forth from the living room to the storage closet and therefore much easier to find a book to read, a game to play, or to go outside instead! We admit that we occassionaly slip up and find ourselves vegging too long in front of the tube, but for the most part, "unplugging" or taking the TV out of our living room has worked well to limit TV-time. We spend much more time together as a family. Consequently, our living room/TV room has become a "family room"!

Appropriate age group(s):
all

Other suggestions or comments:
We have often found that instead of watching a show or movie, our children really enjoy watching our home videos. We do not live close to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc... so home video has provided a way for our kids to "visit" our extended family when they are lonely for them! They also enjoy watching their birthdays and other special occasions. With this type of TV-viewing, my husband and I don't worry about previewing the content.....we have seen it first-hand!