A WORLD WITHOUT TELEVISION

Have you ever wondered what our world was like before the dawning of the television? It may be very difficult to imagine that there was ever a time when the household held no other entertainment but reading, listening to good music, talking to one another, telling stories or learning skills like sewing, crocheting, knitting and so on.

In this modern world we live in, the television set is one of those appliances in the house that is to many as indispensable as the refrigerator and the washing machine - or are they really?? We hurry with our daily routine to be able to get to our favorite TV program. Networks competing with one another to lure the viewers to watch the episode of sitcoms, soaps, variety shows, game shows, dramas, action movies and the like. The television is the easiest way to entertain their children. A crude fact but very true. Many parents, guardians and sitters turn to good old TV without even finding out if the program being shown are suitable for children.

Sex, violence, ill behaviour and bad language are often found in TV shows. Even cartoons nowadays cannot all be trusted. Wrestling and other tasteless shows like Bollywood, Senario, Pua Chu Kang, etc have nothing good to teach children except for violence, poor English, inappropriate jokes and bad mannerisms. Many networks will indicate shows to be suitable for public viewing, with parental guidance, for 18 and above and so on, but they don't even bother to slot these program appropriately.

Perhaps you have heard of the incident of the two grade 2 boys caught having oral sex in school. This is not all. Many young children are getting more and more exposed to indecent gestures and words especially in music videos in TV and in the computer. Older siblings are more susceptible to these as naivety diminishes and maturity sets in. They may inadvertently pass on influences to their younger siblings.

Raising a family and working is not easy task for sure, but relying on the television to keep your children occupied is not the best and only solution.

Try this. Set your children's routine to sleeping early and waking up early. 9.00pm is a good time to be asleep. If your work is keeping you away from your children during the day, waking them up when you get home is the worst thing you can do. Your children have to develop a routine to teach them how to manage time. Give your children less than 2 hours to watch TV a day. Remember to choose a good program. If you are uncertain of the program, don't let them watch until you have viewed the program yourself. Then gradually reduce their viewing time and replace this with reading books with them, praying with them, reciting Qur'an, playing games with them or doing some craft work with them. Make it a weekend routine to bring them to the playground or field for some sports and picnic or just plainly relaxing or flying a kite.

Take the time for your children. Believe me, it's well worth the effort.