Between the Globe article on the free-range child and Ted Blades interviews with Alfie Kohn and Barry MacDonald, I'm not sure what it will take for our generation's obsession with hyper-parenting to stop.
Everything from tap lessons at three to piles of homework (I'm not even in that madness yet!), parents today are more concerned with filling up their kids social calendars than, well, letting them be free.
It's like if we don't structure their every minute, they will complain of boredom. What's wrong with a little boredom? Well, if we let them sit a little they might just use their imagination, or think for themselves or speak with us, or just be.
So here's the challenge -- instead of signing your kids up for a gazillion different things, how about letting them run around the back yard, look at clouds, walk to the store with you or even help with supper? Find the balance - maybe swimming or piano or gymnastics...pick one.
Might be all the extra-curricular they need (and want!)
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