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It seems as if every night the first thing Dan wants to do after work is plop in front of the TV, remote in hand, and settle in for the evening. I feel as if it doesn't even matter if I'm there or not!

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Growing up, my home was broken, noisy, and chaotic. Either the television was blaring or my siblings were fighting. And now, as a teacher, I spend my entire day in controlled chaos, with young children whose energy and noise levels are extremely high. So I need to come home to peace and quiet, where I can enjoy one-on-one time with my husband.

It's not that I'm against Dan watching TV—or even that I'm opposed to the programs he watches. It just seems there's always something he has to watch—a playoff game, a political debate, a news program.

When I complain about the amount of time he spends watching television versus the amount of time he spends with me, he argues that he's trying to stay informed.

I'd just like a little more attention—and peace and quiet. Is that too much to ask?

After a long day at work, I like to relax. I unwind best by watching the news or catching sports.

When I was growing up, I was rarely allowed to watch television. Instead, my family focused on listening to the radio, reading books, or conversing. We were always well informed—whether it was sports, politics, or current events.

While I know Angela enjoys peace and quiet, I work in peace and quiet all day in my job as a writer and editor.

It frustrates me when Angela tells me I don't spend enough time with her, that I ignore her in favor of the television. And it bothers me that she doesn't care if she knows the day's news or current events. I think she should be informed so she can more easily relate to people.

I wish she'd take interest in my pursuits. Why can't we sit down and enjoy a ballgame or watch a newscast together?

Angela continued to confront Dan about his television habits—with little success. Finally, she decided to try a new approach. Instead of nagging Dan about watching television, she prayed that God would show him how his viewing habits were negatively impacting their marriage.

A month later, Angela went out of town for a few days to visit her family. Dan had free rein over the house—and the television. He parked himself in front of the tube, grabbed the remote, and watched a football game. After the game, he surfed over to a cable news program, and then flipped back for the late edition of Sportscenter.

Before he knew it, it was midnight and he'd spent his entire evening on the couch, exercising his thumbs. That's when it dawned on him: his innocent "hobby" was actually an obsession. "I hated to admit it," says Dan, "but Angela was right. If I wasn't careful, watching TV would overtake my life and my marriage.

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