A Husband and Father

Situation Report: Day three of Forced Interaction.

It’s been three days since the children have seen television and it is beginning to take it’s toll on the family.

Monday – Day one was a big day for the family. The oldest was online with The Program after prompting from Dad. She and Dad got home earlier than Mom and youngest since they were at speech therapy. Together Dad and The Oldest made barbequed chicken breast, rice and Brussels’ Sprouts (not to mention did quite a bit of homework). Dinner went well, lots of laughs and a little time in the living rooms “Fort” (created Sunday night out of blankets and chairs). Additions to regular life; Music, laughs etc.

Tuesday -  Day two showed increased symptoms of familial bonding. Upon reaching the house after work and school Dad and the girls played quietly for about an hour. The girls worked on sororal bonding while Dad took a little quiet time before doing minor housework. Mom arrived on time shortly after prepared for the planned bike ride. The  family collectively decided to make the one mile journey to the Subway™ at the beach. Shortly after getting under way the family noticed the darkening sky and checked the weather via iPhone while en route.  Intelligence was compromised, the internet lied! We finished our sandwiches to find that it was pouring rain (Reports that great fun was had in the ensuing downpour are highly under-exaggerated). Baths and bedtime were unremarkable.

Wednesday -  Day three brought the youngest and Dad home earlier as usual following speech therapy. Dinner was begun in earnest while arts and crafts were undertaking following a enthusiastic “Giant Daddy T-Rex” attack on “Little Baby T-Rex” in the still standing Fort. Dinner consisted of Pasta with chicken, broccoli and a Dijon, Shallot, Caper Reduction ready to serve when the oldest and mom arrived home [disclosure: The kids had a Spaghetti Carbonara with carrots on the side though the oldest had chicken] . Following medicinal Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Kisses and a continuance of arts and crafts Mom and Dad divided operations between “Bedtime Routine” and “Clean-Up”.

Casualty Report: The fort was dismantled for laundering.

It is the opinion of this operative that “Forced Interaction Plan” is succeeding. The basic inability for resident children to zone out on Scooby Doo coupled with the Father’s lack of “Internet Black Hole” has led to increased laughter, positive endorphins and interpersonal relationship building.  A minor increase in domestic organization as well as Maternal Stress Relief should also be noted as having as yet unrealized potential on overall Mission Impact.  The Wife should be commended for her plan.

In closing, The Wife has shown great foresight to temporarily ban the great distractor from the household during child rearing hours. Though the immediate  implementation of digital media following bedtime continues to entertain it also shows a similar breakdown in communication. The Author supports an extension on the cessation of so-called "Television" during adult orientated hours to further extend the team building exercises into the evening even extending into graduated "bedtime".

END REPORT