Comments on: Time to Go Outside and Play http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/ Thoughts on God and life from a Christian perspective Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:51:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Taming Video Games in the Home at Ray Fowler .org http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-4470 Taming Video Games in the Home at Ray Fowler .org Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:13:21 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-4470 [...] don’t do this one as often as we should, but there is nothing wrong with telling your kids to go outside and play for a couple hours. Kids are naturally creative, and they will find plenty of stuff to [...] [...] don’t do this one as often as we should, but there is nothing wrong with telling your kids to go outside and play for a couple hours. Kids are naturally creative, and they will find plenty of stuff to [...]

]]> By: Ray Fowler http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-1020 Ray Fowler Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:14:04 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-1020 Margaret, I am glad you enjoyed the map of Sheffield. I was thinking of you when I first posted this on the blog. Good thoughts on supervised play and especially prayer. Margaret,

I am glad you enjoyed the map of Sheffield. I was thinking of you when I first posted this on the blog. Good thoughts on supervised play and especially prayer.

]]> By: Ray Fowler http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-1019 Ray Fowler Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:11:59 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-1019 Leslie, I agree that the safety issue is probably one of the biggest issues in parents' minds. That and the indoor screen - whether TV, computer or video games. It would certainly be nice for our kids to be growing up in the days before Adam Walsh and amber alerts. Leslie,

I agree that the safety issue is probably one of the biggest issues in parents’ minds. That and the indoor screen – whether TV, computer or video games. It would certainly be nice for our kids to be growing up in the days before Adam Walsh and amber alerts.

]]> By: Margaret http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-1011 Margaret Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:01:07 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-1011 I confess to being the mother who kicked the children out of the house for the whole afternoon!! No regrets! It gave them freedom to roam, fresh air, fun with friends, and it gave me time to do tasks around the house!! However, I understand the above comments, as today's world is different, and it is frightening to hear of kidnappings, killings etc. I understand that mothers today must be extra cautious. I'm not sure what the answer is, - to provide freedom, and protection at the same time. Perhaps supervised play in the backyard, at least for younger children, - making both the kids and the Moms get fresh air and exercise. I was interested in the map and stats about Sheffield, as I know this area well. I still remember going with my brother alone in the woods together, - and never thought about danger - a safer world back then. One more comment, pray earnestly for God's protection around your children, knowing He loves and cares for each one of us. I confess to being the mother who kicked the children out of the house for the whole afternoon!! No regrets! It gave them freedom to roam, fresh air, fun with friends, and it gave me time to do tasks around the house!!

However, I understand the above comments, as today’s world is different, and it is frightening to hear of kidnappings, killings etc. I understand that mothers today must be extra cautious. I’m not sure what the answer is, – to provide freedom, and protection at the same time. Perhaps supervised play in the backyard, at least for younger children, – making both the kids and the Moms get fresh air and exercise.

I was interested in the map and stats about Sheffield, as I know this area well. I still remember going with my brother alone in the woods together, – and never thought about danger – a safer world back then.

One more comment, pray earnestly for God’s protection around your children, knowing He loves and cares for each one of us.

]]> By: Leslie http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-1010 Leslie Tue, 19 Jun 2007 19:35:11 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2007/06/19/time-to-go-outside-and-play/#comment-1010 This is fascinating to me. Growing up, I was allowed to roam during the day. The only rule my mother imposed was that I be home before dark. Today, I have four children of my own and I NEVER feel comfortable letting them leave our yard without an adult with them. We have a fairly large yard and they are allowed into the "woods" directly to our rear, but I won't even let them play in our front yard unless I can see them. However, when we are visiting my grandmother, I allow them to roam in the woods because she lives on a large piece of land, and I don't worry that they will be stolen. With children being taken from their yards or even their bedrooms, I think these days parents are afraid. Having one's children kidnapped/violated/killed is a parent's worst nightmare. So, to prevent that, we keep our children within sight at all times. I vividly remember when Adam Walsh was kidnapped and killed--I remember my mother's lecture about safety and strangers. My childhood ended in a lot of ways after that event. Furthermore, if I want to, I can look up a list of registered sex offenders and their addresses. I know that there is one who lives about two blocks from my home. Don't think that that doesn't cross my mind every time my children go out to play. Every time I hear a car go by, I look out the window to check on them. It's not fun, and it makes me angry that I don't feel safe anymore. That said, there are things that families can do to promote a love for and a working knowledge of nature in their children. Unfortunately, tv rules the day in many homes. This is fascinating to me. Growing up, I was allowed to roam during the day. The only rule my mother imposed was that I be home before dark. Today, I have four children of my own and I NEVER feel comfortable letting them leave our yard without an adult with them. We have a fairly large yard and they are allowed into the “woods” directly to our rear, but I won’t even let them play in our front yard unless I can see them. However, when we are visiting my grandmother, I allow them to roam in the woods because she lives on a large piece of land, and I don’t worry that they will be stolen. With children being taken from their yards or even their bedrooms, I think these days parents are afraid. Having one’s children kidnapped/violated/killed is a parent’s worst nightmare. So, to prevent that, we keep our children within sight at all times. I vividly remember when Adam Walsh was kidnapped and killed–I remember my mother’s lecture about safety and strangers. My childhood ended in a lot of ways after that event.

Furthermore, if I want to, I can look up a list of registered sex offenders and their addresses. I know that there is one who lives about two blocks from my home. Don’t think that that doesn’t cross my mind every time my children go out to play. Every time I hear a car go by, I look out the window to check on them. It’s not fun, and it makes me angry that I don’t feel safe anymore.

That said, there are things that families can do to promote a love for and a working knowledge of nature in their children. Unfortunately, tv rules the day in many homes.

]]>