This decision has caused quite a few raised eyebrows and even prompted this question, "What do your kids DO all day?!?" My reply, "They play!"
Let me set the record straight, we do still own TVs, three of them actually. We watch DVDs and subsribe to Netfilx. So no, our children are not completely sheltered and backwards, they just have more of a chance to be kids, play, and use their brains.
Our decision was originally a financial one, but we chose to stick with it after our first Christmas without. That year our world flipped upside down- in a good way. The evidence was in the kids' Christmas lists. For the first time, their lists were created based on their interests NOT based on all the advertising gimmicks they saw on TV. Suddenly our kids weren't asking for expensive toys that they would be bored with after a few days, but now they wanted stuff to exercise their creativity, toys they were interested in or things they could play with their friends.
Our children are unique. They are creative. They make the gifts they give family and friends. They ask for gifts that reflect who they are, not who others expect them to be. They are amazing!
Here's a peek at this year's wish list:
Jenny (16 years old) - comic books {specifically 1980s series Avengers comics}, a record player {it has to be old enough that the materials won't ruin her records, she's done the research}, bedding {Marvel themed, please}
Kandice (14 years old) - craft stuff {specifically yarn and crochet patterns}
Noah Marie (12 years old) - a hair dryer {she is bordering on teenager}, stuff to aid her in learning to play the violin {since mom is taking her sweet time getting around to teaching her}, and "other such stuff"
AJ (6 years old) - an electric guitar and a microphone {not a toy one! a real one!}...and Lord of the Rings Toys {like my Star Wars ones, the whole set}
Yes, our kids are different. We wouldn't have it any other way!
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