Let me start by saying that this experiment was not on my agenda. It was involuntary and in the beginning, I even compared it to not having any heat in the house during winter. However, much to my surprise, in the end the outcome was more than I expected.

It started on a morning a week ago Thursday with a normal routine of muffins, oatmeal and chocolate milk. The boys were watching Cartoon Network while I was preparing a bottle for the baby. The next thing I knew, our less than 3-year-old big screen TV went black. Beads of sweat started to form as I tried to turn it back on. I even plugged and unplugged. Nothing worked. How the hell was I supposed to make it through the day without a TV? I started to panic and called my husband who said that he needed the receipt with the warranty in order to get it serviced. I can’t find two missing potato heads, there is no way I’m going to be able to find this receipt. Luckily, he’s use to my minor meltdowns, went ahead, and called the store. He calls back with the dire news that the service guy won’t be able to get there until the following Wednesday. Unfortunately, the store didn’t get the memo that having three kids under the age of five and a not so domestic mother is supposed to move you to the top of the list.

I’m betting that half of you feel my pain without explaining any further how essential the TV is to my daily life of actually getting anything done. The other half are probably thinking, “Have you ever heard of crayons?” Well, I have. They are the tool of choice for my artistic preschoolers to leave their mark all over the house. Anyway, being the person I am with a long list of items to accomplish in a day while taking care of a 4-year-old, 3-year-old and 10-month old, the television has become my friend. That is until it went black.

Now mind you, we do have another television in the master bedroom, but we also still have the baby sleeping in there as well. Time, life, and lack of space crept up on us and we were still in the process of clearing out my office for the baby. So, how in the world was I going to be able to occupy the boys while I put her to sleep? How was I supposed to watch Oprah while she was sleeping? How was I going to get anything done in the house without access to the Wii?

I have to tell you, I never wanted a TV guy more. A six-day wait for the service call turned into seven thanks to mother nature dumping a foot of snow in my ill-prepared city. Finally, the TV guy comes and less than 15 minutes later, the music of Yo Gabba Gabba filled the room. To quote my 3-year-old, “I like the TV guy.” Me too Hayden, me too.

Still, this impromptu experiment did do my family good. I have to say that it wasn’t easy, but going cold turkey (almost, there was still access upstairs) did me and my children a lot of good. They were forced to play with the zillions of forgotten toys collecting dust. A little bit of creativity was sparked and they began making up their own games. I used play dough as a reward for listening and being quiet while I put the baby to sleep. It also forced me to put a move on it and finally move the baby girl into her own room. I learned that I don’t need to rely on the television so much. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t become all anti-TV or anything. I still need to vacuum and clean the backyard. Sounds and pictures will still come from the big box in the corner as needed. But, getting a break from listening to Bendaroo and Blendy Pen commercials every five minutes is sweet.