I think there are really a few things at play here. The first is undoubtedly fear of sexual predators. I know my kid is never outside without me in clear line of sight of her, period. I ran wild and free for every second of daylight in the summer that wasn’t meal or church time, but there’s so much fear (somewhat deservedly) portrayed by the media that it’s impossible to feel comfortable leaving children unattended.

Another thing is the parents simply aren’t around that much anymore. My mom didn’t go back to work until my youngest sibling went to school, and even then she worked daycare and was home around the same time we were. A lot of these kids are raising themselves, so the parents want them home because of the whole predator thing, and so they don’t have to worry about where they are.

The last thing I see in kids today is an unhealthy anti-social direction. I played a ton of video games when I was a kid, but me and my buddies would meet at somebody’s house and play together, usually in the family room. Now they’ve got online play, and junior’s X-Box is in his bedroom so the parents don’t have to listen to it, so these kids sit in isolation for hours on end. Their “friends” are their co-players, that they most likely don’t know, and who knows who they really are. Add this in to the amount of time goofing around with more “friends” on facebook or twitter, not to mention the constant cellphone chatter, and they spend less time actually talking to people in person.

My kid is interested in the labels on my beers, and especially enjoys playing with corks from the 750s, but all she really cares about is spending time talking to me. I give her all the time I can, so I’m going to cut this short and go build some LEGOs with her, and we’ll probably play some video games later, together.

Cheers,

Howard

WARNING! LONG POST AHEAD!

This article hit home with me as I was raised in Michigan and Minnesota back in the ’70s. What did I do as a kid? Nothing inside the house, that’s for sure. Fishing, riding my “Evil Knievel” bike, making a fort out of sticks and leaves in the woods, collecting bugs, etc, …

As you said, “the moment the sun came up in the summer, mom shooed me outdoors …” So true. I can remember disappearing all day with my friends at the age of 10. If my son or daughter were gone for 20 minutes these days without us knowing where they were at, I think my wife and I would go ballistic.

Why?

We live on a very busy street with lots of traffic. Cars routinely travel at 50 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. And we have a sloped driveway to the street. Did I mention the bush by our driveway and my son’s affection for laying on his skateboard and zipping down our driveway towards our street? Can you say, “Gray hair?” If you are a parent, I knew you could.

Times they are a changin’.

I can remember when I was probably seven years old — the year was 1976 — and we lived in MN. For fun, I would go into the woods next to the highway (with NO parental supervision) and pickup all of the beer cans that people would throw out of their cars. (How else would they get there?) I can recall being excited about having dozens of the old “wildlife series” of beer cans. I don’t know which brewer it was … but they were tall, steel cans that had pheasants, ducks, deer, and fish on the cans. They are probably worth a ton now. I loved those cans because it was a beer my Dad drank.

You are right about today’s society and how everyone judges parent’s activities. We have become a VERY judgmental group. Parents of the ’70s would be strung up in today’s world!

I am raising my children to understand to concept of “responsibility” and “reward.” That is, you are responsible for all of your actions and if you are responsible and work hard, you will be rewarded. (I’m not necessarily referring to materialistic dividends.)

I allow my kids to play video games, but they must maintain at least a “C” in all subjects. If they do, I let them play two hours of games per day on the weekends. As far as what they play … I approve what we buy them, which sometimes doesn’t make them happy. I am stunned buy some of their friend’s parent’s decisions to purchase them some of today’s most brutal games. Does an 8-year-old really need to see drugs, blood, rape, murder, etc.? Not in my house. If you don’t like it … go ride your bike!

Anyways … this is related — yet not related — to beer. Nate … you hit a chord with me!

Thanks for the thought-provoking topic.

Good for you for creating an activity that your son loves spending his time with you! I cannot stress how important this is today. Family is the most important element of our lives. Period.

I’d love to hear from other parents on this subject!