TV Turn Off week is past, but our family has rarely turned it on since. If the TV is still center stage in your home, put it in a place that takes some effort to reach.

When the children were younger, TV Turn Off week initiated the season of “neighborhood night games” (capture the flag, kick the can, hide and seek, etc.). We have the perfect yard, full of good, safe hiding places and centered among the neighbors. At the beginning of “night games” season, my children knocked on doors of the neighboring children (calling on the telephone was forbidden!), asking if they could play night games tonight. Some hadn’t finished the evening meal, and some were away playing on their organized athletic teams. It took a few evenings to get the rhythm going. Some nights it was a game of "4 square" in our driveway until one by one, enough kids showed up in our yard for a more adventurous game of "capture the flag". From the prodding of the children, some families became more intentional with their dinner hour, and some children were more responsible with doing homework earlier in the day, so that when they returned home from team play, they could join in on the “neighborhood night games”.

I always enjoyed hearing the laughter outside or the boundary discussions. It isn’t often that kids can make their own rules! I encourage you all to make your yard a welcome and safe place for neighborhood games this Spring and Summer. You may have to help in “organizing” the “unofficial” play, but you will soon find it may become a neighborhood ritual!

Posted by Susan at 5/06/2004 09:59:38 AM | Link