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Getting kids away from TV: It's not "Mission Impossible" for Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise joins Madonna in abstaining from TV Tom Cruise has come out of the closet. The world-famous actor does not allow his adopted children, Isabella, 13, and Connor, 11, to watch TV, except for movies on weekends. He joins superstar Madonna in parenting decision that will benefit his children in many ways. Although some of Cruise's recent stances have been controvercial, taking firm control of the TV his kids watch is a sensible parenting decision. Reportedly, he also does not allow video games and "forces" his children to play outdoors and do chores. In these choices he is ... read more

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Tom Cruise joins Madonna in abstaining from TV

Tom Cruise has come out of the closet. The world-famous actor does not allow his adopted children, Isabella, 13, and Connor, 11, to watch TV, except for movies on weekends. He joins superstar Madonna in parenting decision that will benefit his children in many ways. Although some of Cruise's recent stances have been controvercial, taking firm control of the TV his kids watch is a sensible parenting decision.

Reportedly, he also does not allow video games and "forces" his children to play outdoors and do chores. In these choices he is certainly making the most sensible decisions he can as a parent. It is also his right as a parent to take charge of what his children are exposed to in his household. He does not need to relinquish control to a TV set. Neither do you. In fact, no parent needs to relinquish control to their TV set.

Kids These Days!

In contrast to Cruise's children, the average child these days watches over four hours of TV per day. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation study older children watch TV for 3:51 hours every day. According to the Nielsen Media Research, Inc. the average American watches 4:32 hours every day. Another study just released by the Kaiser foundation reveals that infants and toddlers are watching two hours per day on average. It takes effort and courage to go against the couch potato tide.

Many people may find this decision controvesial. Nonetheless, the kids stand to benefit enormously. Here are a few of the benefits Tom Cruise's children will receive from this parenting decision:

* They will not watch 18,000 TV murders thoughout their innocent childhood, which can shock and frighten and lead to a greater likelihood of becoming violent adults.

* They will not watch 18,000 sexual references on TV annually, which according to a RAND study, is associated with an increased likelihood of teens to experiment sexually.

* They will not watch 50,000 commercials every year, which will probably spare Mr. Cruise a lot of headaches.

* They will have more time to go outside and play, following the time-honored directive of parents for eons: "GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!"

* They are less likely to be obese. Not only do they avoid many sedentary hours in front of the TV and numerous junk food commercials, they go outside and play regularly, one of the best ways to exercise.

* They are less likely to have attention problems like ADHD.

* They are more likely to succeed in school. Of course, they have the added benefit of being specially tutored at home.

* They will have more time to pursue their dreams. The hours that the kids are not watching TV are available to do other activities, whether the kids would like to pursue acting or research into the origins of the universe.

Your kids can have many of the same advantages as Tom Cruise's

You do not need to be a famous actor or superstar to give your children many of these same benefits. You may not be able to afford private tutors and luxurious mansions for your children. However, by simply cutting out most or all TV time and sending them outside to play every day, your children can have a much healthier, happier life.

Parents, your mission is clear. Get in control of your children's (and yours!) TV watching and begin a new adventure with your family. This article will self-destruct in 30 seconds. Please, begin your mission immediately. Your children's future depends on you. Good luck!

=>Note: To my knowledge Mr. Cruise's stance has nothing to do with his publicly proclaimed Scientology beliefs. Trash Your TV neither endorses nor condemns Mr. Cruise's other various beliefs.

Sources: 
http://www.pr-inside.com/cruise-bans-tv-and-computer-games-r5588.htm 
http://www.nielsenmedia.com/newsreleases/2005/AvgHoursMinutes92905.pdf 
http://www.usmayors.org/USCM/us_mayor_newspaper/documents/10_
12_98/documents/Historic__quot_National_Summit_on_School_
Violence_and_Kids_from_2_00_to_8_00_pm_quot__101998.html 
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/tvapril.pdf
LA Tucker and M Bagwell. ¡°Television viewing and obesity in 
adult females.¡± Am J Public Health, Jul 1991; 81: 908 - 911. 
LA Tucker and GM Friedman ¡°Television viewing and obesity in adult males¡± Am J Public Health, Apr 1989; 79: 516 - 518. 
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/107/1/191

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