A few weeks ago we put a screen door on the front of my house. We figured it would save us money, conserve power (air conditioner) and also allow the kids to go out in the front yard and play without our need to watch them like hawks every second as we can hear them. We feel it is very important that they get their exercise and vitamin D and they love to be outside. Up until recently, unless we were outside with them (and lets face it, adults have a house to clean etc, they cannot spend all their time outside), they had to play in the backyard (which is not so bad, there is a large sandbox and a playground, but they cannot ride their bikes back there or "explore" the world). I think it is very important for children to be able to play "unsupervised" so-to-speak, so they can test their own limits and assess risk themselves without Mom or Dad telling them what they can and cannot do. I got to experience this growing up, my husband got to experience this... it's only fair that our kids also get to experience this, however times have changed and we are a more fearful society of what dangers lie out there and children seldom get to be children any more.
So today, my kids got to be kids. The neighbour happens to be watching his two grandchildren today, so they have been able to run across two completely unrestricted play areas (both yards, both front and back). I can hear them, he can hear them, as they are never over 50 feet away (and they are anything but quiet), but to them Mom, Dad and Grandpa are not watching their every move. They have worked out a game of soccer on their own, put on performances for one another and there have been many giggles and squeals of delight. They check in here and there when wanting something to eat or drink, but otherwise they have been off doing their own thing and delighted in doing it (as is their mother). I've even had a chance to blog about it, being they are busy :)
What an enjoyable day for all!
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