NOT watching TV

Often, when Megan is done with school, Laura still has quite a bit to do.  So, I've been sending Megan onto the back porch to play.  Taking her blocks outside has kept her busy (and kept her from chasing the kitty).

We can only spend so much time coloring, so I am always on the lookout for activities Megan can do to keep her entertained.  I refuse to let her sit in front of the television.  I let her watch a show here or there while I was working with Laura, and I did not like that she seemed to become dependent on being entertained by the thing.  So, the new rule is, no TV during school hours.  We don't have cable or satellite, but we do have Netflix.  Megan would have no problem watching hours of kid's cartoons.  I decided that even the educational ones were not good except in smaller amounts.

After a couple of days of lots of asking and some withdraw symptoms, I am seeing my beautiful four year old go back to a child that can play and use her imagination.  She is more content to find ways to entertain herself.  She plays dolls and blocks, colors and paints.  She looks at books, even though she doesn't read yet.  She helps in the garden (sorta) and walks around singing.  She always wants to help Mommy.  If Daddy is home, he has a constant shadow.  But all of that is better than watching television for hours.