Are you a “Taxi Mom or Dad?” Driving all over town, every day, trying to engage your child in “THE MOST ENTERTAINING ACTIVITES POSSIBLE?” As a parent of three in the year 2010 – I am exhausted! When I was a kid we were sent out to play in the morning and had to be back by dark. We played with the neighborhood kids and we had the time of our lives! We were not obese because we would ride bikes and pedal cars. Did you know retailers do not even stock pedal cars in stores? They do not sell! Small businesses can’t afford to line them up in the stores. We didn’t have a computer and the internet. We had a brain (and hopefully still do!). We were forced to use it for imagination!
Courtesy of cartoonstock.com
Little boys wanted to be astronauts and play in a rocket ship. Little girls wanted to play house with their Calico Critters in an imaginary world. We don’t live in a society where we can just HAVE FUN with friends and siblings in the backyard. I know times have changed and it is not always safe but I miss it. The reality is – we are compelled to schedule our children for activities to cover the entire day – EVERYDAY! Sports are very important, they promote exercise and teamwork. Monday soccer, Tuesday swimming, Wednesday is a playdate, Thursday soccer, Friday Karate, Saturday games – STOP THE MADNESS! Yes, we can have family game night and create long term relationships with our family, that’s entertaining. Can we just enjoy ourselves and play – without a hectic schedule? Please………..
Gotta go – Jimmy’s late for Karate and we promised we’d meet friends for dinner!!