Sarah Cantu

Why we gave up traditional TV

Approximately 2 years ago, we cancelled our dish service and got a TV antenna and Netflix. We struggled with the decision and had many discussions over it with our biggest hang up (ok-my biggest hangup) being the access to 24/7 news. However, when our dish bill came and was almost $90/month we made the choice and cancelled. It was the best media choice we’ve ever made by far and unbeknownst to us, one of our better parenting decisions. We tried for a while to make our $8.99 antenna from Target pick up our favorite programs, but gave up on it after a couple weeks.

We have been a Netflix only family now for a while and I can tell you that for us, the benefits far outweigh any doubts we had initially. The biggest benefit being the absence of commercials. My kids have only seen commercials once (while watching the Giants win the world series). They are completely oblivious to what the newest toy or fads are, and have NEVER seen questionable material. We as parents have 100% control over what is on our screen. This alone would make me never want to go back. For Russ and I though, the benefits are a bit different and a bit more subtle. We have noticed our sensitivity to violence and language increase in the time we’ve been Netflixers as well as less total screen time for us as a family. We’ve been blessed with a different perspective and now no longer are concerned with ‘catching up’ on a show or with being home to see something specific. We have no idea who is on American Idol, DWTS, SYTYCD, or any other reality vote in show-and we honestly don’t miss it like we thought we would.

I wanted to take the time to explain our choices because we are asked often why we made these choices and how they’ve affected us. I think our culture is so incredibly conditioned to traditional TV that we have an honest struggle with even the possibility of giving up. Whether going in an untraditional approach is right for your family or not is a choice we each have to make, but I would encourage you to at least give it a trail run to see how your perspective could change without the hangups of TV.

A new day

Lamentations 3:22-23 (New International Version)

22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I’ve been thinking about this verse alot lately. This last weekend I was interviewed regarding my time at the college I attended by their online newspaper and it got me thinking about the very different person I am today from who I was then. I remember being very driven then, and I regret how low of a priority in some ways people were to me. The last 8 years out of college have taught me many things. I have been humbled, and I would like to think that God has grown my heart and my dependence upon Him. Looking back at His word, knowing that each day is a new day-that He is merciful with me, has given me more of a desire to be merciful with others. This gives me hope that I can continue to be more like Jesus.

Like a princess

This morning my kids and I watched Tangled, the newest Disney princess movie, and my mind began to wander. I started thinking about how thankful I am that my daughter knows she is a princess. I wondered why some parents shy away from allowing their kids to explore such movies. I remembered a situation on a plane several years ago where a mom was sitting with her 2 year old daughter and was explaining to her that there are no real princesses-and that there are definately no prince charmings. I wondered what must have happened to that woman, who let her down-so that she doesn’t feel like a princess herself. I also wondered what the implication would be if we taught our sons to cherish our daughters-how many of our daughters would grow up to meet prince charming? I am so incredibly lucky to have married a man who treated me like a queen when we were dating and still now, almost 8 years later, does his absolute best to show me that I am loved, valued and cherished. We are doing our best to teach our daughter to expect the best-and to be disappointed if something doesn’t live up to that high standard. I know that in some ways, we are setting her up for some heartbreak, but I would rather her hold high standards on the men in her life when she is older and occasionally be disappointed that to just not expect that much from them. 

I think about the young girls in our youth group-past and present. What we’ve seen is that how the men in authority treat these girls is what they expect from the boys/men they date. I would hope that as we in youth ministry continue to speak with these girls, we exhibit a positive example for them of what a healthy marriage can look like. That we still have high expectations and that while marriage is definately about complimenting each other and bringing out the best in each other-that we encourage our husbands to the standard we would want the men in our daughters lives to be like. Most importantly I want to be the kind of woman that acts like the princess my husband thinks I am-I want to exhibit grace and mercy, love and humility, and I want to reflect the image of Christ. 

Reflection of today

This week we officially enter the ‘home stretch’ of the school year. 4 more weeks until Summer vacation-and then 9 weeks until our oldest begins kindergarten. I have been reflecting on the last year and how quickly it has gone by and am trying to (in concert with my hubs) make plans for the summer to be a memorable one for our family. I would love to think that each day will be filled with pool parties and lemonade, but I’m a bit more realistic than that :). Honestly, I’m not even sure what the summer will hold daily for the Cantus-just that it will be crazy and most likely be gone in a blink of an eye. My hope is that if I can get ahead of it-make plans for at least SOME of the time, we can look back with no regrets. So, we are starting a bit early today with sidewalk chalk, a lazy morning, and lots of smiles and laughter. If anyone has good suggestions for ideas, I would love to hear them :),