Every year as school raps up and summer approaches I get asked so many questions about what my plans for my kids are during the summer. This question always baffles me. There are many reasons for my feelings about this question but most of all I recall summers of my childhood that were filled with lazy summer days where you were left to make believe, have projects, help parents and see family. We were not scheduled every minute of the day with outside activities, we were simply allowed to enjoy childhood. I see no problem with this and wonder how many of today’s children would benefit from more time to be just kids, being active and using their imaginations. How many of them could go off of the ADD medications or anti-depressants. I am not against such medications in extreme cases but I think they are highly over used and abused.
What happened to building forts, playing outside, riding bikes, games of “Cowboys and Indians”, or acting out your favorite shows. We had cable growing up but it there were not as many kids channels and our parents sent us out to play and we did as we were told. Never thinking we were put upon or that we were not having fun because we didn’t spend all day in front of a Nintendo or watching G.I. Joe. Those were luxury times that were few and far between, they were not everyday things.
We had swimmming lessons on and off, we had music lessons on and off and that was all great but we did not have to be in every single sport offered, every music lesson offered and all community and church activities. I look back now to a childhood where I can see that I was allowed to be a child. I was not expected to rise to the same level of an adult in a corporate position. There were hours to dream and pretend and explore. Most parents under estimate the importance and true value of those hours.
I guess the key is that “everything in moderation” should be our motto as parents. Whether it’s education, play, video games, television, friends, sports, or anything else. Moderation is a great thing to keep in mind. Our kids will benefit and they will embrace their childhood and look back with fond memories and develop in a manner that is healthy.
