Turning off the TV while dining

As much as I can remember, I used to eat with my parents in my childhood. During my teenage age, I started taking plates from the table and going to the living room to sit in front of the TV. I used to eat while watching TV. I thought I was utilizing my time. Watching TV and eating.

My dad didn't like it. He always said this is not a good habit. You should sit at a table to eat your meal. And shouldn't watch the TV while you are dining. I didn't disagree with him in those days, but I also thought my idea was better. So, I didn't listen to him.

Nowadays, my son wants to play games and eat food. Obviously, I didn't allow it. I let him watch the news during breakfast while he is having breakfast together at the dining table. At lunchtime, if he wants (He generally doesn't wish to except for holidays), he can watch a movie, but he has to eat together at the table. During dinner time, I close all the screens. Now, only he can see each other's faces and talk while eating together at the table.

Sometimes, he doesn't like the food I cook. I knew he had certain choices. At that time, I let him take food to his game table so he didn't waste it. While playing a game, he can finish his bowl slowly.

I hope my plan works for all generations. I hope I am keeping my father's words now (By taking food together on a table, not in the living room).

Biography 18: Colour TV

In my childhood, I have seen, there were very few people who had a television at home. And those televisions were looked like a big box. In those days Bangladesh Television (BTV) telecasted only black and white programs.

People liked to see movies on TV. There was a fixed schedule when BTV telecasted Bangla movie on TV. On that day all neighbours went to a whom who has a TV. I guess they didn't like to have a big crowd in their room, but couldn't say no. On the floor, they give mat to sit and watch TV. After the program, they close the TV. I remember the TV used to take some moments to get close and people didn't move until it closes fully.

Sometimes when the room gets packed fully, they had to close the door, so that no more people can come inside. I was too little to understand the TV program but liked to sit with the elders. One night, my sisters (My older sister, cousin sister and their friends) came back from somewhere who already closed their door. Probably my sisters were late. They requested my youngest aunt (My father's youngest sister) to go with them, maybe they will open the door if any adult knocked. She went there and I joined the group. She knocked for hours (That's exactly what I felt) but no one opened the door. She mentioned her name a few times when knocking, but that didn't work. We came back home and we were very sad.

My dad probably informed my mom in his latter. She was in Saudi Arabia with a government job. And asked her to send a black & white TV to Bangladesh. Because BTV wasn't telecasted coloured program on those days. She sent us a 13'', 3 in one coloured TV. I mean the TV had a radio and cassette player too. Then things get changed. We use to put our TV on Baranda when any popular program telecasted. Put a mat on the floor. Our neighbours use to come and watch the programs. I use to sit on a chair, sometimes lying on a bed and watch or enjoy. By the time we get the TV, BTV (Bangladesh Television) started telecast coloured programs.

Go near the TV screen

Shafeen was 2 years and 1 month old.

When you are responsible to raise a child, you have to concentrate on every little detail which is related to him, like what can be harmful for them, what can give them better health etc. My son likes to watch TV, the only thing he likes to see over there in cartoon. When he gets very exited on cartoon’s story, he couldn't stop himself to go near the TV screen, no matter how many times you ask them not to do so, it may harmful for your eyes.