So no one has an opinion on this subject?

Sorry for the delayed response.

I totally agree with you on both points. I was just having this conversation with my mom about a week ago actually, and she said the same thing- that when we were little, at least, it was safer for us to be out there and they didn't have to hover. I won't send my little kids in the backyard unless I'm there or one of the older two are, and even with the four of them outside (14, 13, 3, and 1) I'm still right on my patio. I do feel like it's partly because it's not safe, and partly because as parents we don't always want to go outside, too.

But I go anyway, because it's good for all of us. When I was teaching, there were many kids who only went outside to go to school and back, plus there are so many distractions indoors that they have that we didn't. Sometimes I have to make them go, other times they're happy to, but they go out almost everyday- even in rain and snow (unless it's a torrential downpour or a blizzard, lol). Thus far, all of my kids are at healthy weights (one is a little under average weight for his age, but still okay) and I'm trying to keep it that way. But as parents, it has to be intentional.

Hi Chana:

And we have to lead by "example"(lol)

Too many times as parents, and I have done this - we tell our kids what they need to be doing, but we do not do the same.

Thanks for sharing with us - much APPRECIATED!

Hugs,
A