How Will I Survive Family Life during Lent?

[gardenswithkids]

Periodically I give up or severely limit my computer use for Lent or Advent. I plan to do that this Lent. I try to practice moderation, but it’s easy to spend too much time on the internet. As Lent approaches, I’ve tried cut back on the internet before quitting “cold turkey”. Last night after our younger children were in bed, I spent the evening watching tv with my husband…(moan) it’s going to be a long Lent.

If I give up my mouse, why can’t my husband give up his remote control???

We watched a show we both like that was recorded. A nice, wholesome show from EWTN. Show"s over. Instead of finding another show we both enjoy or turning of the tv… Switch, switch, switch…Something looks interesting to me but we just pass right on by that without investigating it further. I could read a book, but the tv’s rather loud. He’s got the control, and I’m at his mercy.

Hubby finally locates a war movies that he’s watched umpteen times, then the channel finally stays put. Augh!!! First thing I want to do is run away to CAF. Instead, I suggest that hubby give up war movies for Lent since I’m giving up the computer. I get the look. He says something about the movie’s he’s rented lately being considerate of my choices. (Yes, they have. Then they are supplemented by his tv viewing with the remote as already described.) The channel stays put on the war movie. This movie is being shown with very limited or no commercials. (Had there been an actual comercial break, the switch, switch, switch would have repeated, giving me hints and glimpses of interesting shows that we won’t be watching.) After I have enough of that, I decide to go read in bed. I’m asleep by the time my hubby comes to bed.

Here I am this morning, up very early because I went to bed early last night. I prayed and read my Bible for a while, made some lemon-bread, and now here I am back at the computer. During my computer limited lent, I will probably get in lots of sleep, lots of reading, lots of cooking & eating, and more prayer. I’ll need lots more prayer.

During Lent, I will miss you, and my computer escape to Family Life on CAF. I need to take some time away from my computer and re-focus on my real family life. I love my family. I love to write about my family life and share with you about your family life. You lovely people give me some adult conversation during the day when I’m home alone with children to help me keep my sanity and proper perspective. You give me company at night when my husband is either working late, coaching sports or watching war on our living room tv.

Two days left until Ash Wednesday. I want to say good bye to my CAF friends. :sad_bye: I will miss you. I plan to return after Easter.

 

[leonie]

Okay, Gardens, but you are going to miss my baby announcement

I use CAF to relax. I bet you do, too. I suggest exercise to replace it. How about a rosary/meditation walk? bundle up!! And take hubby with you.

Have a really blessed Lent!

 

[gardenswithkids]

Okay, Gardens, but you are going to miss my baby announcement

I use CAF to relax. I bet you do, too. I suggest exercise to replace it. How about a rosary/meditation walk? bundle up!! And take hubby with you.

Have a really blessed Lent!

Your ticker says twelve days left. You could have the baby early as a favor to me.

Maybe I’ll check back here on Sundays.

Exercise…hmm, I’ll have to think about that. Fasting and penance.

 

[Catholic90]

Instead of finding another show we both enjoy or turning of the tv… Switch, switch, switch…Something looks interesting to me but we just pass right on by that without investigating it further.

Yep, I can soooo relate. So what I’ve done is let DH watch what he wants (usually of no interest to me) in the evening and then later at night (usually he takes a bath every night) I turn it to what I want to watch. When he’s done, he comes down, and EVERY NIGHT he asks, “How can you watch that garbage?” (it’s usually either Tru TV - crime shows - or something on Discovery channel). Ummmm, I did not say that to you when you were watching wrestling or football or some war documentary…

Luckily, my kids have taken after me in the TV watching department They LOVE Discovery. There is a show called “A Thousand Ways to Die” and it goes through different accidents and explains what happens to the human body in different scenarios. I think it is very intersting. So do my kids. So Saturday DH walks in as they are watching this and says, “Why are you watching this garbage?” Kids continue watching their show, and before long, DH is hooked!

 

[gardenswithkids]

Yep, I can soooo relate. So what I’ve done is let DH watch what he wants (usually of no interest to me) in the evening and then later at night (usually he takes a bath every night) I turn it to what I want to watch. …
Luckily, my kids have taken after me in the TV watching department They LOVE Discovery…

My husband does his relaxing in front of the tv at night when he’s home. I think I’ll be the one relaxing in the tub at night.

I should watch more educational shows with my children. That’s a good idea. I’m usually at the computer while they’re watching their favorite educational shows. Unfortunately some of my children take after my husband in the tv watching department. Some want to watch the History Channel–which maybe should be renamed the War Channel. But they like some Discovery shows too, which is much more to my taste.

 

[Em_in_FL]

Your ticker says twelve days left. You could have the baby early as a favor to me.

Maybe I’ll check back here on Sundays.

Exercise…hmm, I’ll have to think about that. Fasting and penance.

Sunday’s aren’t technically included in the 40 days of Lent…

 

[kage_ar]

Sunday’s aren’t technically included in the 40 days of Lent…

Actually, they are.

catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0104fea1.asp

Are Sundays excluded from Lent?

No. The definition of what days are included in Lent is given above, in General Norms 28. No exception is made for Sundays. Indeed, the General Norms go on to specifically name the Sundays of the period as belonging to the season: “The Sundays of this season are called the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent. The Sixth Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week, is called Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday)” (General Norms 30).

Some people customarily allow themselves on Sunday to have things they have voluntarily given up for Lent, but since these forms of self-denial were voluntarily assumed anyway, a person is not under an obligation to practice them on Sunday (or any other specific day of the week).

 

[lizaanne]

Two days left until Ash Wednesday. I want to say good bye to my CAF friends. :sad_bye: I will miss you. I plan to return after Easter.

Pick up a good book. Let him have his tv, go in another room and read a book.

~Liza

 

[acadian]

You’re married to MY husband!!

Except my husband wouldn’t be caught DEAD watching something that was on EWTN. Maybe something about Jesus’ brothers and sisters on the History Channel, but NOT EWTN!!

I get up early on the weekends and watch MY shows. In the evenings, when I’m done with my computer usage, I go in the bedroom, close the door, read, pray, journal, sleep. It would be a rare thing if there was something on TV for ME to watch!

I dread vacations where we’re all in the same motel room and the TV stays on during the night.

I think the war movie and remote clicking thing is somehow attached to y-chromosomes.

I’m giving up complaining about my husband during Lent. It will probably be a long one here, too.

 

[Em_in_FL]

Actually, they are.

catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0104fea1.asp

I guess this still varies from theologian to theologian…

ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur119.htm

This season comprises 40 days before Easter without counting Sundays which, even though they are called “Sundays of Lent,” are not days of penance. Church tradition has always excluded fasting and penance on a Sunday.

 

[whatevergirl]

Hi gardens;

I think we might be married to the same man, lol…my dh likes to control the remote, too…and watches the same war movies over and over. But, I watch the same shows over and over again, too…but mine are more interesting. lol

That being said…I also turn to CAF because my husband works nights, mainly. On the nights he is home from work, we talked about doing something together…that we both enjoy. Maybe a board game…something that doesn’t involve melting away in front of the tv. Tv can be together time, but the mental focus is drawn away from you both. Maybe for Lent, ask him to go on a tv fast, and you on a computer fast. I don’t believe the answer to this is for you to go into another room to read a book…rather, draw together during Lent…even if it’s three days per week. Over time, maybe it will become a frequent thing…even after Lent. Or read the Bible together, pray the Rosary…something that differs from the norm, and asks you both to sacrifice for God, and each other.

Just a thought. But, I hear ya about the remote.

 

[gardenswithkids]

…I think the war movie and remote clicking thing is somehow attached to y-chromosomes.

I’m giving up complaining about my husband during Lent. It will probably be a long one here, too.

I think you’re right. I see my husband’s tv remote behavior duplicated in all our y-carrying offspring. WhY? Is it somehow related to their primative hunting and protection instincts? Search the tv channels, hunt for something to watch, and when they spot a war, guard our home against attack?

(I haven’t given up complaining about my husband and sons, so I can write that. Just teasing, guys. Acadian, it’s great that you’re giving up complaining about your husband. )

 

[gardenswithkids]

…On the nights he is home from work, we talked about doing something together…that we both enjoy. Maybe a board game…something that doesn’t involve melting away in front of the tv. Tv can be together time, but the mental focus is drawn away from you both. Maybe for Lent, ask him to go on a tv fast, and you on a computer fast. I don’t believe the answer to this is for you to go into another room to read a book…rather, draw together during Lent…even if it’s three days per week. Over time, maybe it will become a frequent thing…even after Lent. Or read the Bible together, pray the Rosary…something that differs from the norm, and asks you both to sacrifice for God, and each other.

Just a thought. But, I hear ya about the remote.

That’s a good thought. Not very likely that my husband will give up tv. I’ve offered numerous times to disconnect the internet if he’ll disconnect the tv cable. Even my suggesting he give up war movies drew the evil eye. :ehh: I know he won’t give up the tv, but maybe I can persuade him to cut back.

As for board games, hubby & sons’ favorite board game? RISK. We do have a number of non-war related board games that we both enjoy. That is a good idea to play games after our younger children are in bed.

 

[HouseArrest]

I was always taught that a person’s lenten sacrifice should not be a sacrifice for others. What if we need some good advice? You always have it! I suppose we’ll be on our own for 6 weeks!

I’m just kidding you - and hope you have a good Lent and at least check in for important announcements!

 

[whatevergirl]

That’s a good thought. Not very likely that my husband will give up tv. I’ve offered numerous times to disconnect the internet if he’ll disconnect the tv cable. Even my suggesting he give up war movies drew the evil eye. :ehh: I know he won’t give up the tv, but maybe I can persuade him to cut back.

As for board games, hubby & sons’ favorite board game? RISK. We do have a number of non-war related board games that we both enjoy. That is a good idea to play games after our younger children are in bed.

Yea, I know…give up war movies? Them’s fightin’ words. :knight2:

I will say…no one needs to give up their respective activities completely…maybe just ‘rechannel’ the focus to each other during Lent, than tv. Get it? Rechannel? Ok, so it’s not funny…but he might think it’s funny. lol

I think that Lent is a time for refocusing, not just blindly giving things up, and being miserable the whole time. But, in giving things up, yes we can come to the realization that wow, I didn’t need to do ‘xyz’ all that much…

Good luck in however it turns out for you both!

 

[CatholicSam]

Oooh, you’re going to be so jealous of me, Gardens! Our one and only TV broke a week ago, and DH and I have agreed not to get it fixed till after Easter, maybe even later. Unless, Heaven forbid, we catch the flu or something and *really *need the diversion for the kids, but hopefully that won’t happen.

I am just loving the peace and quiet around here! Ha ha ha, I don’t think this is really going to be much of a sacrifice for me (but it sure will promote the prayerful atmosphere I want during Lent). I even had a dream a few nights ago that we handed it in to get fixed, and I was SO happy to wake up and realize it was still here, still broken

Maybe you could tell your hubby that you’re giving up TV for Lent, so you won’t have to spend your “quiet time” watching war films (but don’t tell him your reasoning). Another thing to consider is using ear plugs and/or headphones with music, so that you can at least be near hubby while you read/pray and he watches TV.

Even when we still had TV service, my DH never hogged the remote. We would laugh at how many times we’d lose the remote since neither of us was very interested in holding it. His mom always kept a tight grip on it in his family of origin, watching her shopping channels and Lifetime movies. Thank you, MIL, for weeding that Y-gene tendency out of my man!

 

[Seeking12]

Periodically I give up or severely limit my computer use for Lent or Advent. I plan to do that this Lent. I try to practice moderation, but it’s easy to spend too much time on the internet. As Lent approaches, I’ve tried cut back on the internet before quitting “cold turkey”. Last night after our younger children were in bed, I spent the evening watching tv with my husband…(moan) it’s going to be a long Lent.

If I give up my mouse, why can’t my husband give up his remote control???

We watched a show we both like that was recorded. A nice, wholesome show from EWTN. Show"s over. Instead of finding another show we both enjoy or turning of the tv… Switch, switch, switch…Something looks interesting to me but we just pass right on by that without investigating it further. I could read a book, but the tv’s rather loud. He’s got the control, and I’m at his mercy.

Hubby finally locates a war movies that he’s watched umpteen times, then the channel finally stays put. Augh!!! First thing I want to do is run away to CAF. Instead, I suggest that hubby give up war movies for Lent since I’m giving up the computer. I get the look. He says something about the movie’s he’s rented lately being considerate of my choices. (Yes, they have. Then they are supplemented by his tv viewing with the remote as already described.) The channel stays put on the war movie. This movie is being shown with very limited or no commercials. (Had there been an actual comercial break, the switch, switch, switch would have repeated, giving me hints and glimpses of interesting shows that we won’t be watching.) After I have enough of that, I decide to go read in bed. I’m asleep by the time my hubby comes to bed.

Here I am this morning, up very early because I went to bed early last night. I prayed and read my Bible for a while, made some lemon-bread, and now here I am back at the computer. During my computer limited lent, I will probably get in lots of sleep, lots of reading, lots of cooking & eating, and more prayer. I’ll need lots more prayer.

During Lent, I will miss you, and my computer escape to Family Life on CAF. I need to take some time away from my computer and re-focus on my real family life. I love my family. I love to write about my family life and share with you about your family life. You lovely people give me some adult conversation during the day when I’m home alone with children to help me keep my sanity and proper perspective. You give me company at night when my husband is either working late, coaching sports or watching war on our living room tv.

Two days left until Ash Wednesday. I want to say good bye to my CAF friends. :sad_bye: I will miss you. I plan to return after Easter.

Are you doing it for the Church or for your husband?

 

[gardenswithkids]

I was always taught that a person’s lenten sacrifice should not be a sacrifice for others. What if we need some good advice? You always have it! I suppose we’ll be on our own for 6 weeks!

I’m just kidding you - and hope you have a good Lent and at least check in for important announcements!

Oh, your so nice to me–or were you just kidding when you wrote I give good advice.

 

[gardenswithkids]

Oooh, you’re going to be so jealous of me, Gardens! Our one and only TV broke a week ago, and DH and I have agreed not to get it fixed till after Easter, maybe even later. …Even when we still had TV service, my DH never hogged the remote. …

I’m insanely jealous, double-time. Broken tv *and *a hubby who doesn’t hog the remote? Where did you find him? And why did you break the tv if he wasn’t hogging the remote?

 

[gardenswithkids]

Are you doing it for the Church or for your husband?

Do you mean why give up the internet? For my spiritual life, as a sort of fast/retreat. Before the internet (and in the early days when internet service was i n c r e d i b l y s l o… w, ) I read more books by saints such as St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and other spiritual classics, along with the Bible. I still read spiritual books, but not to the same degree as I once did.

Also cutting back on the internet so I can focus more on my own family life, both setting a good example for my children regarding time limits on the computer and spend more time with my own family instead of chatting and reading on the internet.

I hope not everyone here plans to give this place up for lent. Some good loyal Catholics have to stay here to answer questions as others seek deeper relationships with Christ over lent. But it won’t be me. I have been spending too much time on-line, (both CAF and the internet in general) and I need to cut back. Lent is a good time to do that type of thing and I’ve told myself for the past month or two that I’d cut back at lent. And now it’s almost here…:crying: