Time to get my children Back Outdoors
Do you remember being a child?
Someone who would be a little rough and tumble, someone who would get several knocks at the door of their home from friends wanting to play outdoors.
My Childhood
I remember a lot about my childhood, this makes me smile because my memories are fun thoughts of my outdoor activities. I used to head on over to the park or walk to the shops just to feel independent. On some occasions, I would go out for the entire day, no mobile phone nothing else but a bottle of water and my friends. I would return later in the evening as the sun was going down, feeling as though I had been gone for days, not a matter of hours.
My parents never seemed to be too worried that something may have happened to me, My dad is very protective over his daughters and even he was very relaxed. It is upsetting that part of my worry currently has stopped me being as relaxed, part of me hates the thought of letting my kids out of my sight for a second. This may well be because happenings are so quickly spread around the internet or in the media in a flash. Surely, half of the behaviour that goes on within the current generation has been there for some time before, our parents probably walked around thinking everything was hunky dory.
My Worries about Children now
Why do I bring this up? It is because I am slightly worried about how our children and what their memories will be of when they are older and look back at there childhood. Kids these days most certainly do not seem to have the same amount of real friends that we probably had. Yeah, they have friends online, but they do not have anyone who comes to the house and wants to play outdoors. When I tell my kids about how great of a childhood I had, they just look at me as though I am talking to them in a language they do not understand.
So, Why do I mention this?
I initially started thinking about this a few weeks ago now, when I walked my youngest child home from school. Why did I start to think about this? Because as I walked through the local estates, I realised there were no children playing out in the streets, which I found a shame.
Do Children even play out anymore?
If they are anything like my children, they will be rushing to get home and attempt to sit for endless hours on their computers. I rarely have children knocking at the door and likewise I never have my youngest child asking to go call for his friends.
The funny thing is, my children have many friends, but these friends live all around the world. I walk past my son’s bedrooms and hear them happily chatting and playing online. This gives me very much mixed emotions, on one hand, I am happy they have friends no matter what the form, but on the other hand, I am upset that they do not automatically think to themselves “Oh it’s nice outside, I might go call on a friend”.
I know some parents limit their children to internet access, which is an amazing thing I and I wish I had done this a long time ago. My eldest son who is 17 has actually started going places on his own accord, but my youngest is still showing no signs and I feel a little push may well be necessary.
Plans for change
My plans are to begin to limit his internet access and get him more involved with local friends, this used to happen before I got Ill with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) and Function Neurological disorder (FND), I just could not take them places as often as I used to. This was because I became so tired and felt down about myself and part of me thought as long as the kids were safe and I had no choice but to rest.
Regardless of my illnesses, I now know that my youngest son is going to stop using the internet so much, and start to get outside more. We are going to start this week by limiting his internet usage. He enjoys playing card games and even exploring, so we are going to begin to do some walking, my husband’s shifts have not helped in the past, but he is totally on board with this idea, and is prepared to put extra effort into making this happen.
Although his friends online may very well miss him being around straight after school, I am sure they will enjoy one another’s company even more during the time he has to speak to them in future.
I will begin to cut the apron strings and allow him a little more freedom as part of the deal. He will be able to go a little further than the end of the street “Not much though”, when his friends come around to play I will allow them to mess his room up and not complain.
I would love to add, I do not think any of this is our children’s faults, I believe the world we live in is making it hard for them to be a child, They have grown up in a technology driven world.
By summer time, I aim to have my youngest son a lean, mean playing machine, who enjoys his summer similar to the way we enjoyed ours.
A Little Double Standards
I must say I feel some double standards here, as a write this post I have my mobile phone and laptop in front of me…. I may need to change this for a short while too.
I will keep you all informed of how we do!
Your Thoughts
I would love to know if you have similar problems with your children.
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Barbara Handley says
June 4, 2014 at 6:26 pmI was hardly ever in the house. I loved playing outside.Cycling and skating were so much fun and helped keep us fit.
Jane Davies says
June 4, 2014 at 6:43 pmI also used to LIVE outside as a child, out all day and home before the street lights came on !
It is sad that these days kids are stuck in computers etc but I too plan to combat this by getting them involved from an early age in fun social activities like ballet, swimming etc and luckily she loves being around other kids and although she enjoys time on her tablet I never have to tell her it’s time to put that off now, lets hope it stays this way ! xxx
rachelhirst says
June 7, 2014 at 8:24 amIt was such a magical experience being a kid back then. You would gage the time off the street lighting, knowing if the lights start to come on you will certainly need to rush home. It’s a great idea getting your kids active early doors, my two played everything but now they are older I find it far more difficult to get them to engage. Let me know how you get on Rachel x
Anthony Harrington says
June 4, 2014 at 8:05 pmtimes have changed so much, I was outside all the time, always playing football or out on my bike. I guess i my day indoors was boring as there was nothing to amuse me, these days there is so much to entertain indoors it is hard to strike a good balance.
Carrie Talbot-Ashby says
June 4, 2014 at 9:32 pmFunnily enough I found your blog post really interesting as over the years I have found the exact same thing, so began changing it a couple of years back!
I have four kiddies, and when my two older boys were younger they were outside constantly as luckily they had a great group of mates that lived in our little cul-de-sac, we live right next to the woods and a lake, so the kids were always outside (albeit always supervised) but there were always at least two adults to the eight-ten kids playing out, then as they got older they went outside less and less, friendships forged over scabby knees died a little, and then I had exactly what you found, my boys online, chatting to friends who were less than five mins walk away!!!
I too tried to explain to my kids that at their age I would have been in the woods with my mates playing Manhunt or on our bikes, and both my boys would look at me as if to say “Good for you, now let me get on with my game!!!”
However, I may have lost the war a little with my lads, I have been much more hands on with my two younger girls, and every day I take them to the woods and usually include a couple of their friends, and we have started a den!
The girls love this, and while they both love an hour or so on Minecraft on a sunday afternoon, I am determined my kids will enjoy an outside childhood lol. But it is no wonder so many kids are unhealthy thanks to their lack of outside play. Great post, sorry for waffling lol! xxx
Tracy Nixon says
June 5, 2014 at 10:37 amTimes are defo changing! When I was little I was always out playing in the streets with my friends and my parents never worried. These days I worry about giving my kids the same freedom – such a shame too!
Andrea Edge says
June 5, 2014 at 7:24 pmWaiting for the nice weather to return my 2 year old has just started to venture out into back garden and really wants to splash around in her paddling pool. Come on sunshine
Keri Jones says
June 5, 2014 at 8:19 pmI had a wonderful ‘outside childhood’ too. I climbed trees, played football, went to the park or went for a long ride on my bike. My son is still quite young but I am worried about him already. I am terrified of anything happening to him if he goes out but at the same time I don’t want him to become a couch potato and possibly be overweight as a result :/
Mary Preston says
June 6, 2014 at 7:04 amAn interesting question. We seemed to spend nearly all day outside. Always something to do.
Steph Meakin says
June 6, 2014 at 6:35 pmI wasn’t allowed to play out as child and nor are my kids now, they say i’m overprotective but I can’t help it!
Kelly Donald-Pattullo says
June 7, 2014 at 12:55 pmI was always outside as a kid, climbing trees, exploring, riding my bike etc. I despise the new age of video games – my boy won’t spend all his time in front of the tv that’s for sure.
Donna Kent says
June 8, 2014 at 12:32 amI used to ride miles on my bike with friends, through fields, visiting aunts and uncles, up and down the villages where we lived. I wouldn’t dream of allowing my children to do that now.
Krissie says
June 8, 2014 at 9:18 amUnfortunately we live on a busy main road so playing out isn’t really an Option for my kids, i grew up on a quiet cul de sac which was safe to play out in. We take them out on their bikes to the park regularly though and we have a garden with a trampoline so they are out in the garden a lot.
Rachel Butler says
June 8, 2014 at 11:39 amI was the same as a kid! As soon as the sun came up you got dressed and went out until the sun was going down! My little boy is only 3.5yrs and I already see this problem with computer games and iPads etc!
Tina Mansfield says
June 9, 2014 at 8:43 pmSuch an interesting question, and one I was asking muself this evening after I dropped my son in the woods for cubs. Its so difficult to find a balance. I know that me and my brother went out at dawn and came back at dusk. we played next to rivers, the sea and even on farm land. We are still here so why I should be worried about my son going out seems daft. I have started to let him go out and play with the neighbours kids, but as we have a busy road this is not always a good idea I would rather they came back to the garden. whatever happens I hope he will have fond childhood memories, and I am sure he will still have stories to tell with his friends.
Sonia Constant says
June 10, 2014 at 8:38 amIts a shame that streets arent as safe and friendly as they used to be. I wouldnt dream of leaving the little ones playing around in my grandmas street when I used too. Cars drive too fast, children get snatched… I would worry so much if I wasnt watching. My grandparents could trust that me and my brother were out playing nicely and we were safe. We always were.
Thanks for linking up with the blogsRus linky
KATHARINE BOURNE-FRANCIS says
June 17, 2014 at 3:36 pmI was always out playing as a child and we are trying to continue that with our little one now, I think sometimes kids almost ‘forget’ how to play out so it’s important x
tammy stevenson says
June 19, 2014 at 10:37 pmI completely agree. Im only 21 this year and my 1 1/2 year old is constantly outside now we have the weather for it. I remember very very well out first thing and back before the sun sets! It’s such a shame that kids don’t seem to play anymore theres only 2 children ever play in our street. Ones my little boy! I actually don’t see children playing in our area at all ( only in the shop). More parents should encourage outside play. Its not only bad for social skills, learning and making friends but its bad for their health! No exercise and very little vitamin d from the sun
rachelhirst says
July 2, 2014 at 3:19 pmTammy! I could not have said it better myself, kids really do need to be outdoors more, there is so much fun to be had and the health benefits are huge.
Martha Smtih says
July 12, 2014 at 12:42 amMy parents were considered strict by my friends standards when I was a child (I’m 47 now), I was always the one to be in earliest have to report in most and was allowed to do least. I don’t know if there is more risk now from strangers than then but I won’t let my children go around on their own a tenth of what I did as a child. I think the dangers then were perceived to be more the kind of dangers you got into by not being careful or not observing rules, having accidents by not looking both ways as you cross the road etc. I remember not being allowed a bike because my parents thought them too dangerous, even just riding in the park!. My parents did give me the lectures about not talking to strangers and I remember the talks at school and adverts on tv about not going off with a stranger because he promises you sweets or he’s got some puppies to show you but I think we take it a step further these days by telling kids what to do if a stranger tries to grab you and more detailed instruction on personal space eg where it is inappropriate for an adult to touch etc.
Maybe its not that there are more dangers now than then its just that parents were in the dark more about the level of dangers then. Perhaps there was a bit of denial or disbelief then too I can remember a caretaker in our small village school in 1971 being fired for inappropriate behaviour and that school had only 65 pupils right from age 4/5 years up until what is year 6 now (age 11 or so) so its not as if things never came to light. I think the Jeanette Tate abduction really made the public sit up and take notice though. Although I can remember telling my supposedly clued up Mother who herself was a teacher about the flasher who’d flashed to me several times and my sister and other friends and she not only didn’t call the police which would be my first reaction but actually said I think you must have mis-seen dear! and this was “very deliberately done for children” full body nudity not a quick opening of the raincoat I’m talking about.
I don’t think we should drop our guard one bit, and the scale of abuse that we have seen exposed in the news recently, well I think the level of revelations will just keep on growing.
We just have to find ways to compensate children and be prepared to be more planned and hands on to make sure children have the time to play out. For instance they get the same experience as we did down the park on our own if you take a blanket and a book and go and sit in the park and let them play for an hour after school, they will soon get lost in their game and it won’t be spoilt because they won’t realise you didn’t get past the first paragraph because you were really watching them to make sure that they are safe. I think we also could enrich their experiences this way too because they get more family time more bonding with dad playing football down the park on a Sunday rather than playing on their own while Dad snores in the chair. Also there are so many more clubs and activities that children can do which expand imagination and creativity which can fill in some of the gaps that are left by not playing out on their own.
Claire Appleton says
July 19, 2014 at 10:35 amI totally agree, kids should play out more but it is such a shame that it is a lot less of a safer thing to do these days. I agree this needs to change as well as the health benefits it also improves creativity and imagination, developing their own games, ideas and things to do 🙂