KFC wrote one, too, you might want to add - I won't overstep my bounds on your blog and link it myself in your comments.

It's a good subject, so hopefully all four of you writing about it will cross link.

I don't like what's going on, either. It's a further dumbing down of life for our kids - as if it weren't dumbed down enough already.

And while I understand the nature of your comment that teachers should supervise on the playground more, I'm not convinced that wouldn't amount to the same thing. Kids supervised by a teacher generally won't create those negotiation learning experiences in plain sight. Sometimes ya gotta just lettem go and hope for the best.

Where society got the idea that "if it just puts enough rules into effect, then perfect well adjusted intelligent adults will be produced from it" is beyond my comprehension to understand. What it creates, in fact, is a generation of people who stand stock still until someone comes and tells them what to think.

KFC wrote one, too, you might want to add - I

As did Locamama (tangentally) as well.

When I was 7, I was playing tag (or another running/chasing game - I dont recall) in the school playground.  I tripped and fell and tore the finger nail off of my left bird finger.  To a 7 year old, that hurt a lot and was very traumatic!  So much so that I did not finish the game that day.  I waited to the next day to play a new one.

A friend told me about his son.  About 10.  He was riding his bike and wiped out hard.  Tore up his knees and tore open his head.  It required stitches to close.  After returning from the doctor, the son ran outside and jumped back on his bike.  My friend cringed at the thought, but did not say a word.

As every parent has.  Children are not graceful, and boo-boos are the name of the game.  We cannot and should not over protect them.  We forget about our hurts when we remember childhood.  Especially when we are watching our children.  They were there, but not an important part of our experience.  Just the fee we pay to have fun.

I enjoyed reading about your time as a kid and teen Donna.  I'm sure it was much better lived. 

I spent more time crashing my bike some summers, than actually riding it.  I still carry the scars.

My legs from knee cap to large stubbed toe bruised and scabbed all summer too.  Most of the time I couldn't tell ya how I did it.  heh.

I broke my arm playing tag. Guess who wasn't sued? Everyone.

I've had my fair share of cuts, bruises and scrapes. Some pretty bad, some no big deals. I have at least 3 places where you can still see my stitches, one is just above an eye. That never stopped me from playing and it never made my mom wanna put protective pads on every inch of my body. Kids will be kids and I will not take that away from mine. I will do my best to reduce the chances of getting hurt in light or very serious manners, but I can not guarantee they will never get hurt. My youngest has already had stitches on his head and I was scrutinized in the hospital for it. I came close to having my kid taken from me for a fall he caused himself. The way I see it, it was either I literally tied him down and not let him move or allow him to play with the other kids his age.

I was thinking about making an article myself. With so many I may reconsider.

That's the truth.  Lucas is a good example of what happens if you keep your kid in a bubble (oh..noes...i really did say that!)

 

Nah, go for it!  The more the merrier.  Everyone seems to have a different take on it, and it's pretty current and global.  Times they are a' changing, after all.

I have noticed that those who have responded to all of these article, while not agreeing 100% with each other, they do agree, more or less, that it's all about making it safer for kids but not taking to the extreme that would take away their childhood.

The more good, wholesome activities you take away from children, the more likely they will turn to evil for their entertainment.

It's a good subject, so hopefully all four of you writing about it will cross link.

I'm just getting back on line after late this morning and will check hers out.

And while I understand the nature of your comment that teachers should supervise on the playground more, I'm not convinced that wouldn't amount to the same thing. Kids supervised by a teacher generally won't create those negotiation learning experiences in plain sight. Sometimes ya gotta just lettem go and hope for the best

I agree with what you said but I've heard too many stories of what kids do to each other, i.e., hurt each other because they are left to their own devises. If someone can throw a ball out and say play amongst yourselves but don't hurt each other and then the kids just play and devise their own game, kinda like that! I know, expectations too grand, but one can dream!

What it creates, in fact, is a generation of people who stand stock still until someone comes and tells them what to think.

Great point! Thx ockhams!

As did Locamama (tangentally) as well.

Great minds...!

I waited to the next day to play a new one.

Yes Doc, I remember some days like those for me as well as other young friends!

A friend told me about his son. About 10. He was riding his bike and wiped out hard. Tore up his knees and tore open his head. It required stitches to close. After returning from the doctor, the son ran outside and jumped back on his bike. My friend cringed at the thought, but did not say a word.

Ouch! Kids are so resilient and that's what we as adults tend to forget! I'm glad he left him alone because if his son hadn't done that, he might have been scared of bike riding for the rest of his life!

I enjoyed reading about your time as a kid and teen Donna. I'm sure it was much better lived.

Thanks Tonya! I did, man the stories I could tell!! I tell them to my kids a lot! Like the time we had a swing in my grandma's backyard that was on the tallest tree and over hanging a small valley filled with bushes, what we call here, overgrowth of plants. We all took turns, swinging high, giggling and having fun, pushing each other the farthest and the highest! It was my cousin's turn, well she overdid it, suddenly our other cousin was out there, over the valley and off the swing, we all stood frightened, then she landed on the bed of bushes and we all fell hysterical with laughter because she was covered with it and she was laughing too!! Or the time of a big family party and my uncles were trying to butcher the goat who ran into my bedroom on my bed, where I was sleeping, hopped off, went through the next door, down the stairs, with several men running after it! Aw the good old days!

My legs from knee cap to large stubbed toe bruised and scabbed all summer too. Most of the time I couldn't tell ya how I did it. heh.

Aw kids! The things we used to do and didn't stop because we were too busy having fun! My little five year old does the same thing!

I broke my arm playing tag. Guess who wasn't sued? Everyone.

! w/Tex on this too! I guess they are lucky uh?!

but I can not guarantee they will never get hurt.

Very true! When it comes to bumps and bruises, it goes with the territory.

My youngest has already had stitches on his head and I was scrutinized in the hospital for it. I came close to having my kid taken from me for a fall he caused himself.

That's horrible Charles! This is another problem that genuine parents have to deal with as well. We have to be watchful and fearful that we're going to be accused of harming our children!

That's the truth. Lucas is a good example of what happens if you keep your kid in a bubble (oh..noes...i really did say that!)

!

I was thinking about making an article myself. With so many I may reconsider. Nah, go for it! The more the merrier. Everyone seems to have a different take on it, and it's pretty current and global. Times they are a' changing, after all.

Yes, why not! Another point of view is good! I'll check out KFC's and Loca's in a moment!

I have noticed that those who have responded to all of these article, while not agreeing 100% with each other, they do agree, more or less, that it's all about making it safer for kids but not taking to the extreme that would take away their childhood.

jAnd this is what it's all about!

The more good, wholesome activities you take away from children, the more likely they will turn to evil for their entertainment.

I can understand your statement, they just will get into trouble of one form or another! Or keep them under wraps too much the minute they get away from you the go buck wild...my friends daughter is testament!