Media: Day 4 - Throw Away the Key

I am obviously very far behind here, but I will try to catch up.
My parents, sister, nephew, husband, son, and I went to Virginia over the weekend. We went to see all of my extended family - grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - whom I hadn't seen in several years, and most of whom hadn't yet met Rowan. Aside from an annoying cold-like illness attacking my own little family, we had a wonderful time seeing everyone and catching up.

It is inevitable, on family trips like these, to look back and remember childhood memories. One such memory in regards to media resurfaced. Once upon a time my parents realized how much TV my sisters and I were watching and how it was affecting our chores, our attitudes, our schoolwork - you name it. So, they decided to take what my childhood self would consider drastic measures. Somehow my dad rigged our TV to only turn on with a key.
Yes, a key.
That fits in a lock.
I have no idea how he did it, but I do remember that magical key having a blue and gold Blockbuster key chain.

Once they fitted the television with a key, there was no way we could watch it without our parents knowing.  There was no way we could watch it without that darn key. My parents then proceeded to tell us we would only be allotted a certain amount of time each week to watch TV. We could choose to blow it all at once, or we could spread it out over the week, or we could simply choose not to watch it at all (yeah, right). Of course, our decision on when to watch was still subject to whether or not our parents would give us the key. It was ultimately their decision.
Being a first born and typically a rule-follower, I didn't struggle quite as much as my sisters in budgeting my TV time. I knew what and when my favorite shows were, so I saved my time for them. However, I learned some valuable lessons from that time too:
1) My parents are brilliant.
(Though the key trick probably wouldn't work on today's televisions)
2) A little patience goes a long way.
If I thought my favorite TV shows were really worth watching, then they were worth waiting for. This lesson has easily extended to all the important events in my later life, like money, marriage, children, career, faith, etc.
3) TV is a waste of time.
When constant screen time was taken away from me, it no longer held me hostage and it became more of a special treat rather than a "need." It's kind of like only having ice cream every once in awhile rather than every day. It makes it that much sweeter!

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for all of the 'key' lessons you taught me through the years. :D