At long last, my boys finished the 2014-2015 school year. Now that they are in “Summer Vacation Mode,” Mrs. Worthington and I are discussing things like:
How much time do they get to play on-line everyday?
How many/which apps are they allowed to download?
What chores are they going to be responsible for each day?
Where can they play outside and what is off limits?
How far away from home can they roam?
It’s a different world from what I remember during Summer Vacation. I find myself wishing they could have the same freedom I enjoyed as a boy. How great would it be if they could just head out the door, jump on a bicycle and be gone for hours at a time without any worry in the world. I really enjoyed the exploration of the small community I grew up in, and would often jump on my bike and just take off to see if I could find something new. My parents hardly ever knew where I was going, because I never really knew where I was going. My only limitation was how far I could ride that bike, and when dinner would be ready. (Missing meals was not a good idea with 2 older brothers unwilling to leave leftovers.)
I do know a few parents who still allow the type of freedom I enjoyed, but I don’t know how they do it. Wish I did. Maybe I just spend too much time in the newsroom, and hear and read too many bad things that happen to kids when they are by themself.
