Skip to content

My kids always say to me, 'Can we watch TV?' I say…

“My kids always say to me, 'Can we watch TV?' I say, 'Absolutely!' because then I can get something done. But then they say, and I wait for it, 'But can you watch with us?' My moment of freedom vanishes. So not only do I not think TV's that great and I hate sitting in front of it, but I have to…” quote by Natascha McElhone
Download Open image
“My kids always say to me, 'Can we watch TV?' I say, 'Absolutely!' because then I can get something done. But then they say, and I wait for it, 'But can you watch with us?' My moment of freedom vanishes. So not only do I not think TV's that great and I hate sitting in front of it, but I have to with them.”

Natascha McElhone

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker uses TV as a bargaining tool with children, revealing how parental responsibilities can erode personal downtime.

In simple terms: Kids turn TV into a negotiation, stealing adult free time.

Key Takeaway

Set boundaries for personal time.

Themes

parenting time management media boundaries

Mood

practical empathetic realistic

Type

advice personal development

When to use this quote

  • evening routines
  • parent‑child interactions
  • home life

Key Concepts

negotiation family dynamics self-care

Questions to Reflect On

  • What limits can you set for shared screen time?
  • How can you protect your own downtime?
A Different Perspective

Balancing needs can be challenging without guilt.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Natascha McElhone

Explore all 38 Natascha McElhone quotes

More Absolutely quotes

Browse all 1,136 Absolutely quotes