photo by edenpictures www.flickr.com
JuiceBox Jungle is a fun website for moms and mommy bloggers. I am part of their network, which you can see more about by looking at the cool graphic to the right of this post. You can watch short clips about parenting, answer polls, tweet certain topics, and now listen to some music by this super cool new group for kids: Juice Box Heroes!
Anyway, the JuiceBox Jungle people recently posed this question for bloggers to consider: “Sarah Miles, (Ph.D. in Education, Child and Adolescent Development and a lecturer at Stanford University AND a mom of preschool aged twins) tells us in her video this week the absolute best, educational toys are no toys at all. ‘Get outside and PLAY!’ she says, and we agree! Do you? Do you find that both you and your kids are much happier when you get outside and move and explore?”
At first, I wanted to stand up, raise my hand, and shout, “Yes, I do. Getting outside and playing is the best.” And my stepson does think so. He eats better, sleeps better, and concentrates better when he can get outside and play. His dad and he recently went sled riding during winter break when temperatures were near zero. Where was I? At the coffee shop, by the fireplace, with hot coffee, writing. UGH! I’m making my confession now that I hate to be outside in the winter. Did I use to feel that way when I was a kid? Did I feel the cold like I do now? Did it make me tired? I don’t think it did. Plus, my mom always had hot chocolate ready for me. . .my stepson doesn’t like hot chocolate, but that’s a whole other topic. . .:)
I know that Dr. Miles is right. I sub at Next Generation preschool in Champaign, IL, and I know that the children are much happier and have a better day when they can get outside and play. Fresh air is great. I’m not arguing that. Walking and observing nature is great. Exploring your environment is great. But it’s not for me from mid-November to April (in the Midwest, two hours south of Chicago). . . and I just want to admit that publicly on my blog. When my stepson (who is 9) is at our house with only me because my husband is at work, I let him go out, and I sit by the window and look out to see what he and our boxer are doing out there. Okay, tell me now, I am terrible, but at least I’m honest, right?
I do take Logan to places where he can play and run around inside; but the older and taller he is getting, the less this is possible. Logan’s outgrowing these indoor play places. I do go roller skating in the winter–that’s how much I hate going outside! And I would love to tell you that I’m going to make it a New Year’s resolution to get out in the cold more, but I just can’t lie to you like that. My solution is for us all to move to a warmer climate, but one with no hurricanes or earthquakes or snakes. Hmmm. . .? SO, while you are reading blogs from other JuiceBox Jungle Network moms and all the wonderful activities they do with their children outside in the winter, don’t judge me too harshly. I found these great “activity” books for you and your child or students to use if it’s even too cold for you outside. . .
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