Reduced viewing time of television has been a great advantage in our home. My husband Allen, I and our children, Leila, 11; Alisha, 9; Logan, 8; Jessie, 6; Reece, 3; and Wade, 7 months; haven't watched much television for some time now. The following are a few ideas from our family:

- Put the TV in a cabinet so that it's not as accessible. It's rather simple, but it's the old adage - "Out of sight out of mind," and it works.- Put first things first. Have a list of what needs to be done before viewing - chores, homework, family visiting, projects, etc.

- Have alternatives ready for slow times. Have meaningful ideas, projects, goals or other entertainment at hand to help in deciding what to do with the time.

- Start off the day right. Read the scriptures or have a religious discussion. This shows that scripture study is a priority and that the TV is not.

- Realize that limiting daily viewing isn't necessary. It gives the underlying idea that you have to watch TV everyday, which you don't. It also leaves no flexibility.

- Teach why you choose not to view various programs. Discuss your values, priorities and why something is inappropriate. Then, decide what is acceptable and have fun together watching those shows.

- Train yourself and your family to turn off inappropriate viewing. Realize you are not a slave, and turn away from or turn off offensiveness.

It is a benefit to be in control of my own viewing habits, and especially gratifying to see my children with desires and abilities to control theirs. - Shannon Christensen, Provo, Utah

What We Did:

`Reward time'

- Restrict TV watching to a well-chosen block of "entertainment time" during the school year. This could be Friday evening and a possible "reward time" when homework and chores have been completed. VCRs make this scheduling possible.

- Have a family committee survey the TV tastes of family members. Then present a family home evening lesson on "choosing wisely." Family members should be allowed to express opinions and participate in discussion. A family code for viewing could be formulated for use in making choices.

- Appoint a family member to record programs of value for viewing. Using a TV guide and VCR makes it possible to control television, instead of allowing TV schedules to control our lives. - Marcia Green, Redlands, Calif.

Moved TV

Recently, we moved into a large home. As many people do, we put the family TV in the living room.

We wanted to keep one room especially nice for visitors and for our own peace, but we found it hard to do with the TV as the main focus in the room. Moving the TV to an inconvenient room - downstairs and out of the way - we found ourselves talking, drawing, reading, listening to pleasant music, and otherwise enjoying each other's company. We did so without time limits, rules or punishments. Now when we watch TV, we have a purpose. - Carollyn and Connie Brown, Louisville, Tenn.

Other activities

When we were growing up, every summer Mother would tell us she wanted to limit our TV viewing time. She did not receive much support from us. It worked better when she filled our TV time with other activities, such as gardening, going to the library, reading to us, or us reading to her, listening to books on tape, learning a new language, taking walks, writing in our journals, swimming, visiting, baking, serving others, etc. She even encouraged us to play outside. With our days so busy, we didn't miss the TV.

Now, when I do watch TV, I do mending, needlework, ironing or general picking up. I always like to get up and move around during commercials. No couch potato for me.

It is amazing how much more I can do with my time when I am not mesmerized by the TV. - JoLynne Dougherty, Carnegie, Pa.

Not daily routine

- Put your television in a spot that is not easily accessible. We put ours in the farthest corner of our home. It helps eliminate the habit of turning the TV on.

- Don't allow TV viewing to become a part of a daily routine. If my daughter is playing, I don't interrupt her when a favorite children's program is on.

- Turn the set off as soon as a program is over.

- Make a list of alternative activities or projects. Post it in a visible spot such as the refrigerator door.

- Watch a special program together as a family. It will be all the more exciting if TV viewing is a rare event in your home. Pop some popcorn and snuggle together on the couch. - Jennifer Tilleman, Belgrade, Mont.

More as family

We've found there are so many other things we would rather do that TV is seldom watched.

We have discovered board games. It is not uncommon for three chess games to be happening all at the same time. Books have become more popular. We read a chapter a night from a novel. All the boys' artistic and creative abilities are blossoming, and we are doing more together as a family. - Kim Waller, Henderson, Nev.

Know specific program

What we decided, and what is working for us, is that whenever anyone in the family wants to watch television, they have to know the specific program before they turn the set on. Flipping through the stations looking for something, anything, is no longer acceptable. We keep the free program guide that comes in the newspaper on top of the TV. My husband and I are always able to veto any program.

I would say with this simple rule - "Know what you're going to watch before you turn it on" - we've cut our television viewing by more than half. - Barbara Fox, Apple Valley, Calif.

`Family Fun Night'

We watch a couple of select programs each week as a family. We make it a together-time, complete with special snacks. After the program, we will sometimes discuss it.

As our children are too young to do much away from home yet, Friday night was the big TV night for them. We found the program content not in keeping with gospel standards, so we started "F.F.N." - "Family Fun Night." There is no more TV on Friday nights. Three Fridays a month, we play games indoors or outdoors, and one Friday we get a sitter for the baby, and do something like swimming, playing miniature golf or bowling.

The TV may seem like an "easy out" for busy, tired parents, but the extra time invested in the children will have far-reaching blessings. - Kimerly Wagstaff, Salt Lake City, Utah

How to checklist:

1. Set priorities; make TV a special time.

2. Select programs before watching; decide as family what is appropriate viewing.

3. Put TV out of main living area where it is not so accessible.

4. Have interests, activities aside from TV; keep busy; read scripturesi.

Write to us:

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July 19 "How to get out of a rut in your career."

July 26 "How to change or eliminate negative aspects of your personality."

Aug. 2 "How to recognize and eliminate pride in our lives."

Aug. 9 "How to develop a healthy dating relationship."

Aug. 16 "How to prepare a child, youth for transition from elementary to middle school, or middle school to high school."

- Also interested in letters on these topics: "How to help young people show respect for authority in school," "How to be emotionally self-reliant," "How to place people above tasks."

Had any good experiences or practical success in any of the above subjects? Share them with our readers in about 100-150 words. Write the "How-to" editor, Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, send fax to (801) 237-2524 or use internet E-mail: forum@desnews.com. Please include a name and phone number. Contributions may be edited or excerpted and will not be returned. Due to limited space, some contributions may not be used; those used should not be regarded as official Church doctrine or policy. Material must be received at least 12 days before publication date.