Growing up, I freely roamed the neighborhood. I would leave early in the morning, head over to a friend's house or meet up with the group of kids at the end of the street and we would play. Around lunch time my mom would step outside yell for me and I would head home to eat a quick lunch only to head outside again right after.
Sure we occasionally got into mischief, but as a whole we were just a group of kids having fun and looking out for each other.
Things are a lot different now. As you drive up and down most neighborhood streets, they are empty, no kids out playing, no kids out riding bikes. Those times that you do see kids, you can almost guarantee that a parent will be right there watching closely.
While I think it is so important to keep our kids safe, I think there is something about letting kids be free.
Letting them be free to be kids, let them be free to have a little space, and even free to make some mistakes along the way.
Now while I don't let my kids take off to run the neighborhood, I have begun letting them go out front in the cul-de-sac to ride their bikes or play on their own.
The first time I let them, I might have been sitting in the front room watching out the window, but they felt free. My oldest even made sure to put the 'Kids at play' sign out and they had a wonderful time.
Of course when you let kids be free to play, they are going to end up dirty. Grass-stained pant knees, dirt under their finger nails, and just all around messy.
Times like these are perfect for all free and clear.
I love all free and clear oxi with stain lifter. Not only does it help fight those grass and dirt stains my kids will get when they play free, but I can feel good knowing that all free and clear is 100% hypoallergenic.
all free clear is the #1 recommended detergent brand by Dermatologists, Allergists, and Pediatricians for sensitive skin. It's tough on stains yet gentle enough for the whole family. all free clear detergent (liquid and mighty pacs), fabric softener and dryer sheets have received the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance™, which means it is great for those with eczema or sensitive skin conditions.
I think it is important to let kids be free, even if it means more laundry for me at the end of the day. Now if only they would learn to put their dirty clothes in the laundry basket!
How do you let your kids be free?
This is what I have to use for my husband because of his sensitive skin.
ReplyDeleteI use all, but have never tried the Oxi - kind. I will have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI've been using this for forever! It works so great!
ReplyDeleteI have been using ALL ALL my life! It doesn't make me break out like some others!
ReplyDeleteThat's what we use in my house!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried All. I'm going to Target today so I'll pick some up! :)
ReplyDeleteGosh, the good ole days- my sister and I used to play outside from sun up to sun down, only coming in to eat meals. It is such a different world now though. I try to let my kiddos have some freedom, but it is so hard now...And yes! Mud and grass stains are inevitable! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we have a nice cul-de-sac so my kids will be able to ride bikes out there when they are old enough.
ReplyDeleteI love ALL and have used it for years :)
ReplyDeleteLove your biking pics! I let my kids out to play either in our backyard or they can play in the cul de sac and down the street to a designated point. One of my neighbors has loudly said that kids shouldn't be out alone... but I can see them from the house and there's only a few houses down here, no reason for anyone else to come down- they're safe. Messy, of course, but safe.
ReplyDelete