The Joy of Holiday TV Binging: Why I Embrace It

Lynda Lin Grigsby has contributed to multiple national news outlets and previously served as editor of the Pacific Citizen, a national Asian American newspaper. The opinions expressed are her own. More of her opinions can be found at CNN.

At this moment, five tween boys are asleep in my living room after a day of playing tag and football outside. It's my son's birthday and he wanted to have a sleepover with his closest friends.

Lynda Lin Grigsby

Credit: Lynda Lin Grigsby

During their winter break, after running around in the park, the kids came inside and decided to watch a movie. They settled on "A Charlie Brown Christmas" because one of the kids recommended it.

When tween boys are watching television, it sounds like a never-ending symphony of talking, filled with lots of "bruh" iterations that always bring a smile to my face from another room.

At this age, they don't want a traditional "Happy Birthday" party, just the freedom to be themselves. And I just want to get some sleep. We're all thankful to Marvel for providing entertainment. Instead of imposing strict rules, I prefer to let them find their own balance. Sometimes, that means more screen time during the party, and that's perfectly fine.

I've stopped feeling guilty about the amount of time my kids spend watching TV. Television was a big part of my own childhood, but in my family, it wasn't up for negotiation - it was a necessity. My parents, who were working-class, didn't have the means to pay for after-school care or extracurricular activities for my brother and me.

35 Vietnamese refugees are awaiting rescue aboard the USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19), an amphibious command ship. They were rescued from a 35-foot fishing boat 350 miles northeast of Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, after being at sea for eight days. (PH2 Phil Eggman/Wikimedia Commons)

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In our expansive Los Angeles suburb, getting to and from after-school events was a challenge. As a result, I often found myself spending my afternoons in front of the warm glow of a screen, which both entertained and enlightened my young mind.

Growing up, my parents, who were refugees from Vietnam, dedicated long hours to work both at home and outside of it. As a result, the television became my companion and educator. Through it, I gained insight into the intricacies of US presidential elections and the dual significance of determination and resilience in elite level sports.

While my children now partake in social rites of passage such as sleepovers, summer camps, and play dates, these experiences were not available to me. Instead, I absorbed the essence of these quintessential American childhood activities through the lens of television.

I absorbed the moving images with my eyes, cataloging the social norms for future reference. When a romantic relationship caused a rift in our high school friend group, I knew exactly which indignant facial expressions and words to use, thanks to "Beverly Hills, 90210" and similar teen shows.

Throughout my childhood, there was an unspoken agreement between my parents and me regarding my unlimited access to television: complete my schoolwork and maintain good grades. As long as I met these expectations, there were no questions about what or how much I watched. This setup became my motivation and reward system: earn straight A's, and I could watch "My So-Called Life."

I often think back to my childhood TV consumption when I hear debates about this generations relationship with technology.

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I am well aware of the impact of television on the mind. I have read numerous articles warning about the negative effects of excessive TV watching, and I often ponder the potential missed opportunities for personal growth and learning new skills.

My childhood was mostly spent staring at a screen, but I don't think it had a negative impact on me. However, many parents are concerned about limiting their children's screen time, as I witnessed at my son's back-to-school event where it was the main topic of conversation among teachers and parents. This concern was sparked by a sixth-grade text chain where kids were constantly engaging with each other, even at all hours of the day and night. I even experienced this firsthand during my morning run, being surrounded by constant text notifications from kids using emojis to greet each other.

Growing up in the digital age as a parent, I understand the difficulty of limiting screen time for kids. Despite my own unlimited screen time as a child, I am concerned about my kids' digital footprints. The risks of excessive screen time are well-documented, with research showing that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media have double the risk of depression and anxiety. Experts recommend choosing board games over screens to spend quality time with kids. Looking back, I'm sure my own mother would have reflected on my TV habits, but she would have also questioned how to provide for the family while playing games with me.

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I once thought of myself as fortunate for not being affected by the common problem of childhood TV overconsumption, like a heavy smoker who doesn't suffer from health issues later in life. Now, I realize that my unrestricted access to screens is linked to the struggle to survive in a country with no guaranteed parental leave or childcare rights.

As a parent, I went to the opposite extreme of my own childhood experience. I fell into the fear-based belief that "screens are evil," and kept our living room TV turned off. I wanted to create the ideal environment for my children's development, as recommended by pediatricians. However, I soon found that I couldn't keep the screens at bay for long. Screens are a part of our culture and environment, and trying to avoid them only adds more pressure on exhausted parents.

Science may not be able to alter the economic circumstances of working-class families, such as the one I grew up in. The backdrop of my early years is filled with the background noise of the television and the rhythmic hum of the sewing machine, as my mom spent hours attaching sleeves and lapels to numerous department store blazers.

Even those with greater financial resources than my parents can still struggle to find time for simple pleasures like a leisurely midday stroll or a never-ending game of Uno.

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In our household, we strive to uphold healthy, age-appropriate connections with technology. This means not allowing unrestricted access or overly monitoring, but rather engaging in regular conversations about digital boundaries and responsible behavior. It's not a flawless system and may fluctuate week to week, but we're committed to making it work.

In the midst of the disarray during a recent home renovation, I responded to my kids' constant complaints of boredom by suggesting we watch a movie. This wasn't because I'm a neglectful or lazy mother, but because I'm only human.

Without fail, after indulging in some screen time, we all emerge feeling refreshed and more willing to get back to our usual routine. In fact, the occasional movie break often creates room for other activities, like the pre-teens playing Monopoly in my living room this weekend. I even overheard one of them shouting, "I'm buying Boardwalk, baby!" as they rolled the dice.

The experience was truly magical. But the birthday celebration also included watching "The Avengers" and dancing in front of the television, much like Charlie Brown. And that, too, turned out to be magical.