I'm with all of you on the tv topic. I didn't watch tv at all when DS13 was little and I got a great deal more done, had better relationships with my children, my neighbors and myself than I do now. I was also in better shape. TV is not the root of all evil but the question to ask yourself is "when you are watching tv what else are you forgoing?" Read "The Plug in Drug" by Marie Winn - old but good book. The opportunity cost is high.
GGB - FWIW my H swears he needs the tv in the evening to "relax" - personallly, I don't think he's relaxing but actually shielding himself from too much intense intimacy. If we talk during commercials and we snuggle side by side - we don't have to deal with looking in each others eyes and concentrating on what each other has to say.
For Mrs. GGB (of the very full plate) I think watching tv is the only thing she feels she can do to combat the mind-numbing exhaustion of a new baby and a bunch of other kids. She would feel better if she took a walk with you instead. She would feel better if your relationship was in a place where each of you had fewer defenses up. Then you could talk without feeling fearful, embarrassed or whatever. GGB - I think you negotiate for replacing the tv watching with other activities one at a time. Pick two nights where you take a walk together instead. Suggest you turn off the tv and read something to Mrs. GGB one night - maybe something funny (David Sedaris books come to mind). Just some thoughts. Hhhmmm maybe they would work for me too. I usually give advice that I need to follow :].
