03/20/2024
This was originally posted on 2017-
I've been thinking a lot about one of my former colleague's words lately. He wanted to get kids outdoors with their parents. A lot of the reason comes from all the attention to obesity in the country, and what to do about it. And while this may be an oversimplification, it seems that being outdoors, with all the perks, like running and jumping, is the answer.
I have two daughters, and the younger one always has to be told to “Get off the couch, it's a beautiful day!” Especially since more often then not tomorrow will probably be wet and dreary. We have lots of electronic gadgets at our house, and this makes it a little harder for the kids to resist the urge to stay inside on the couch. In fact, one time I found my youngest was watching movies in her bedroom on a tablet, since I let her use it to listen to music while she cleaned her room. (A privilege she no longer has!)
So how do we get them out? There seem to be a few ways- organizations, booting them out, etc., but the real answer is broader, simpler, and harder.
Make it more fun to go outside than staying inside. Everyone talks about how they used to spend all day outside, but what was the alternative? Daytime soaps? Helping Mom scrub the kitchen floor? Playing by yourself? Outside was a pretty attractive option back then. Air conditioning wasn't nearly as prevalent either, so it was probably more comfortable outside, as well.
Ever since the advent of cable and VCR's, it's been easier to sit in front of the TV. With portable computers and Netflix, you can watch whatever you want, whenever you want. With Video Games you can get all the emotional excitement of a game (at least enough to keep the kid happy) without being hot and sweaty or getting into an argument.
So you now have two options to keep your kids from melding with the furniture. The previously mentioned boot in the tuckus, or find something that makes them want to go outside. Some older kids might just get annoyed by the boot, and if you're one of those parents that has a hard time with booting, the second choice is your main one. Find what the kid likes to do, if you don't already know. In our town we have a summer long family pass to the pool, which is in walking distance. Sports lovers are easy. Our neighbors have two boys that are always throwing balls of various sorts around. Go out there with them! Yesterday I went and pulled weeds from our garden with my girls. This led to discussions about snakes and worms, as well as the difference between plants and weeds. You might invest in some activities like a slip and slide, tire swing or sandbox. The opportunities are endless, you just need to find what your kids like to do. In the end, you may just have to turn off those electronics and make sitting around the house be boring.
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