In the interest of full disclosure we have a tv in every room of our house, with the exception of the bathroom. Several of them are so old they are neither flat, nor high definition. I suspect they will outlast the latest models.
We didn’t have a TV at home until I was 10 years old. It was black & white, there were only 3 channels and programs ended at midnight with test patterns. I grew up reading, playing outside and making up ways to entertain myself with household objects. It may partially explain why I’m relatively creative but doesn’t explain why I have the attention span of a gnat.
CURIOUS to the MAX 
I worry about the amount of digital exposure young kids get today. My daughter-in-law is a teacher and she says that the newest kinder students are impatient and demanding to a degree not seen even a few years ago. The expect entertainment to be thrust into their hands at the first squeak. Like you, I played outside in the weeds and fallen leaves or snow or I played in my room with very few toys but a huge imagination as my resource.
Have you read Homo Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari? I think you’d like this book, about the evolution of people.
LikeLike
Shari,
Interesting and disturbing to learn about your daughter-in-law’s experience.
Peggy
LikeLike
At home I had to be in bed by 9:00 on a school nigh later if it was a weekend. When I babysat I watched to the bitter end. Usually watch a horror movie then being afraid to get off the couch!
LikeLike
Kathy,
Are you still watching horror films?
Peggy
LikeLike
The 1st tv remote control I recall was a servo operated hand clicker the size of current cell phones. It only had an up-channel button which when pushed, the still-functional manual knob ON the tv would loudly rotate to one channel higher. As there were only 3 or 4 over-air channels at that time, it didn’t take long to “scroll” through the selections.
Per your posting, I also spent a lot of time outdoors, playing, reading, or writing reports using an Encyclopedia or back issues of National Geographic. However, I am NOT overly creative and also have the attention span of a small insectoid.
LikeLike
Rick,
You did miss one important element of TV watching: the laugh track. Perhaps being spared that experience helped you and Judy develop your wonder sense (s) of humor!! Or maybe it was the back issues of National Geographic.
Peggy
LikeLike
Ditto
LikeLike