Sometimes there is a fine line between what we need and what we want, right? And sometimes even the most elaborate and frivolous sounding gadgets can even have purpose. Case in point – A pop up TV.

I like television. I find value in it for many reasons. I will admit right up front that I have used it as “childcare”. Week days from 9 to 2:30 is all I’ve got to work on my growing freelance writing business. If one of my kids is home sick or there is a snow day, I do not have the ability to not work that day. It’s a great day for a Star Wars marathon. There are a few shows that I enjoy watching with my kids because they stir up questions in them about how people treat one another, life choices, etc. Ellen is my dose of sunshine in any weather, as you know, and my kids are free to share in that with me, as well. You get it, right? I like TV.

What I don’t like is for it to be on all the time. I don’t like it as “background noise” and I don’t like the assumption that one gets to watch it. As much as I like it, I still consider it to be a privelage to anyone that must be earned, whether through good grades, completed chores, be it Me, Hubby or Kids.

I removed my Son’s TV from his room a couple of years ago because he didn’t respect the TV rules. It wasn’t just that he watched when he wasn’t supposed to, but because it RULED him. He saw it there, eyeballing him, and was a major distraction. Once it was gone, he didn’t even miss it. He reads in his room, builds things, uses his other resources. Out of sight out of mind.

Until they come into the living room. My kids come home from school and head straight toward the remote control. Which is odd because it was never a routine. It is off when they get home. They turn it on. I turn it back off and they move on. But they just HAD to do it to see if THIS DAY is the day they get away with it.

This is where the pop up TV comes in handy. You know, where the TV very gently is elevated up out of a cabinet or some type of furniture? That is what I need I think. It would make the room look more clean and streamlined, which I like, and would not be a constant antagonizer unto my kids. I know I know I am on a budget today. But since I was just a minute ago talking about the sacrifices we are making in this economy I got thinking about what I would like to splurge on if circumstances were different. Pop up TV would be my splurge. How about you?

I would put a timer on my pop up TV so that it would automatically come on and start playing my favorite workout Turbo Jam. Here is a clip of a couple of little ones all suited up and doing Turbo Jam. Too cute!