How to Schedule Television Watching

Have you ever been watching television and realized that three hours mysteriously went by? Sure, channel surfing is a guilty habit for some, but you can use your viewing time more wisely with a little forethought. And if you want to control your kids' television time, work with them to figure out optimal schedules.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Limit your television intake. Don't use the tube as background noise. Turn it off while you eat dinner, clean or go about other activities. Try turning on the radio instead. When the television is on, be sure there's a reason for it.
2. Talk to your kids about television. While you of course want to limit the hours they watch and control what they see, you'll also want to talk to them about the messages different shows and commercials are sending.
3. Consult the weekly guide and decide what to watch before flipping endlessly through each channel. This extra step will help you and your family think critically about how you spend your time in front of the tube.
4. Key in the selected shows' six-digit PlusCode number (using the keys of your remote control) if your video recorder supports VCRPlus (vcrplus.com) instant programming. These numbers are published in standard television listings in the United States, Canada and many other countries in the world. For instant programming to work, you must have completed the one-time process to map the VCRPlus assignment number with the dial channel number for each station received in your home.
5. Buy a digital video recorder. Any DVR owner is likely to say it's the greatest invention since sliced bread. TiVo, Ultimate TV, Replay TV and other brands of DVRs allow you to pause and rewind live television, and record a season's worth of shows with a click of a button. You always have a menu of programs that you've prerecorded. And you can fast-forward through commercials, limiting your child's (and your own) exposure to products. This way you can get through a 1-hour program in about 44 minutes.
6. Tape or buy several movies so you have them ready to pop in if you're in a "500 channels and nothing's on" funk.

Tips & Warnings

• Record your favorite shows to DVD to take with you on the plane if you're a frequent traveler. Play them on your laptop or portable DVD player.
• There's a big difference between watching television for entertainment and watching out of boredom. Choose your programs wisely.
• See 137 Organize Movies, Music and Other Media.
• Set a weekly time limit. Have your kids identify their favorite shows, and together prioritize which shows make the schedule. Use the exercise to evaluate your own viewing habits and start making choices on how you want to spend your time.
• If you get greedy and hack into your DVR to extend the hours, don't go crying back to the manufacturer if it stops working. Tampering with the box will void the warranty.