Do you or your kids suffer from "Nature Deficit Disorder"?
Author Richard Louv coined the phrase in his book “Last Child in the Woods” to describe what happens to young people who become disconnected from their natural world. We (along with our children) are spending way too much time indoors and therefore inactive! According to American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, kids watch an average of three to four hours of television a day! If I told you, you could have an extra 34 hours in your week - would you want to know how? The average adult female watches 34 hours of TV in a week! I know...I don't want to give up "Grey's Anatomy" either and it's SO easy just to flip that box on for the kids to get some "free" uninterrupted time to yourself! But Richard Louv links this inbalance to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.
I personally see a big difference in my kids when I have been a little lazy and let them watch more TV than I know is "good" for them. They get more agitated and hyper! Exactly what I don't need. Outside in our yard, except for a sand table and the recent addition of a trampoline, we have no playground equipment...at first glance it looks quite boring. But my kids will spend hours outside. I put them in their "mud clothes" and leave them be. It is amazing how they can entertain themselves with some sticks & dirt! We have a "designated" area that has become known as their "science lab" where they can dig, mix mud and smash rocks. When they have spent a few hours outside, they are definitely calmer, more creative and less whiny! We all know what a nice walk outside does for the soul!
I recently received my "Kingfisher Newsletter" from the Chattahoochee Nature Center and on the cover was a great article titled "Leave No Child Inside":
"Go Out & Play...the mantra of mothers for years. If you had one of these mothers, you had more opportunities to get outside and run, ride and play. Backyards became jungles and open fields had endless possibilities. These days the mantra has fallen to the wayside. Children now spend much of their non-school hours working on homework, engaged in structured activities or in front of a computer or video game system. Children rarely have unstructured free time to play outside. Some parents are reluctant to let their children play unsupervised in neighborhoods, parks or even in their own backyard..."
Read more of the "Kingfisher" article and get tips on how to get Back to Nature...click here!
Enjoy a podcast with Richard Louv from one of my favorite mom blogs & podcasts: Vickie & Jen: What Really Matters
This week, vow to reduce the amount of TV you (and your kids) watch and tell your kids to "Go Out & Play!"
