Take One Piece of Furniture out of the "Living Room" an Change Your Family Dynamics!

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Laurie Meade

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Move one piece of furniture out of your living room, and you will be amazed at the changes in your family dynamics.

Can you guess what that piece of furniture to move? You guessed right, if you guessed the television set, usually referred to as a TV.

My home office is in the corner of the living room. I grew super tired of the kids always hovering over me while I was trying to work. I also grew tired of picking up their messes and always having to be on them to pick up their messes all over my front room.

So I made this rule:

If you come in this room you help to clean it. Then you only stay here if you are reading, coloring, or listening to music. Any other activities must be done in other rooms in the house.

It is amazing the changes that took place. My 4 year old who normally watched videos way to much, started drawing and writing his letters more, because he wanted to sit in the chair next to momma while she worked.

My 11 year old daughter also watched less TV, and although already a very active and avid reader, started doing more in the creative aspects of writing and drawing, then she had previously done.

Now my 9 year old son, well, that's another story. He is the one I have to work the most. However, I am seeing an increase in his attitude toward homework, and less struggle about doing what I tell him too, with the decrease in TV watching.

So I challenge anyone who feels the family wastes too much time in front of the TV, to move it to a room, such as the kitchen, breakfast nook or recreation room. Keep your front room for more productive family time.

You may find this a difficult thing to do, but believe me when I say it changes the family dynamics. Do you want your children to remember sitting in front of the TV as a group, or would you rather have them remember special times learning, communicating and helping each other, in a variety of non-related TV activities?