Put down the Nintendo and play outside
April 4th 2008 01:51
Let's go cloud watching
Years ago I wrote an article comparing games children played during the 70's and 80's versus the 90's. Most of the examples I cited on that article were based on my childhood memories, I also drew upon what I noticed among my nieces and nephews who, at the time, were into various gaming consoles such as the Playstation.
I ended that article with a wishful statement that when I become a mom I will let my kids play outside as much as I used to when I was young.
Fast forward to today and I realize that, much as I want my child to go outside and play with her friends, I sometimes feel anxious to let her do so.
Why is it then that when we were young our parents didn't worry too much about letting us play outside, sometimes for hours, while the parents of today have become cautious, at times even paranoid?
I think this has much to do with what is going on around us - in our communities, schools, the government and the media. With the rampant rise of children who are being molested, abducted and killed, often by people they know, and the current trends in technology that make these news easily accessible, is it surprising that parents today think twice before letting their kids play outside? With the numerous accounts of church leaders and government officials embroiled in indecent activities, is it a surprise that we have become untrusting? And what about the onslaught of ads featuring cool toys and gadgets that children can play in the comfort and safety of their home?
They say nothing is constant but change and perhaps we can never bring back those carefree feelings of our childhood. But all is not lost, we can still raise well-rounded children who someday will grow up to be happy and decent adults.
So by all means, let's allow our children to play outside, we'll just make sure there is a trusted adult supervising them. Let's teach our kids about safety, assure them that they can come to us and tell us anything that's troubling them. An open communication and a level of leniency coupled with caution is our best weapon.
| 52 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Hazel Castillo
Working Title
Cirrus Cloud
Movie Dime
Parent Adventures
Now, you're just afraid someone you don't know is watching them. and soon they're kidnapped or something. Even though I've been living in the same neighborhood since I was born and still here now that I have a kid, people around have changed. That's the fact.
I agree, information is easily accessible nowadays therefore paranoia seeps in.
To be able to trust your kid can have the same kind of fun outside the house is if you get a huge lawn... or live in a very secured village. Either way, you gotta be filthy rich. Errr. then again when you are that rich, kids don't usually play outside.
bleh, vicious circle.