LET THEM BE KIDS

I had to watch my two granddaughters this past Tuesday, as my daughter had things to do that day. We conversed at how many mothers were shocked, that my daughter was letting her kids lead a normal childhood.

Mothers couldn't believe that the only organized activities that my four year old granddaughter participated in were a once a week dance class and an hour at the local library.The rest of the time was spent playing with her two year old sister.

It seems that your not a good parent these days, if your not enrolling your kid in a thousand and one organized activities from the day a child can walk. Mothers are driving the kids from one activity to the next. Organized sports started in seventh or eight grade when I was younger; now we even have races for kids that are crawling as mothers scream on the sidelines for their child to win.

Summers aren't for play anymore, as kids are sent off to specialized camps, to improve their skills. Not one camp, but rather dozens for whatever activity's they are in.

So it was a pleasure for me to watch kids at our annual Fall Frolic down on the farm. They were doing things that kids did in the past. That is running around and laughing. Chasing each other, letting their imaginations run wild. The only time their fun was ruined was when a parent interfered.

Pay close attention the next time your at your four or five year old baseball or basketball game. They are going to be the terrified ones standing around not knowing what to do. Your the one who will be yelling and screaming at him or her to run, catch, throw or shoot the ball. This is supposed to be fun for them, but is it, as they stand around like zombies.

Its amazing to see how much kids learn on their own, without parental or adult interference. And what a feeling of accomplishment on their part when they do. Look at your child's face the next time they learn do something new, and then tell you "I did this by myself'. Why are you so hell bent of depriving them of this joy?

Some of the best athletes did not come from forced organized activity's, but rather honed their skills as kids on play grounds, with other kids. Some times the trial and error method is the best teaching tool around.

So let them enjoy their childhoods. It's their turn, not your's.