Prior to the 80s, few kids had the kind of electronic "baby-sitters" that are prevalent, today. As I was growing up, television was very limited in our household. Every time a group of kids managed to watch more than a few shows, a parent was there to send them out the door. Regardless of where we went, we were encouraged (pronounced "forced") to get outside and do something. Bike rides, golfing, running around the park, chasing through the woods, and launching then chasing model rockets are just a few of the activities we did to burn calories.
Things are different, today. Few parents will send their 6-12 year old kids out into the world with little concern for where they go. The days of sending kids out to "play" without keeping a close eye on them and anyone around them are long gone. And parents are faced with the challenge of balancing the needs of their children with the needs of the rest of life.
In the Pol household, we limit television viewing to a few shows in the morning and one show in the evening. Morning shows are dedicated to educational viewing. At night, we juggle a wide variety of shows, depending on what the kids want at the time. Lately, that's been races.
My kids constantly amaze me by asking for one triathlon video or another. My son has taken to referring to Ironman races by color. IMAZ is "the orange Ironman." Coeur d'Alene is "the green Ironman." Next week, we get to watch "the red Ironman. The one daddy did." And when they decide to watch a race, it's pointless to try and show them a Disney movie or other show. Only a triathlon video will do.
It is equally as heartening to watch them while watching a race. They may as well be participating in the race. My son runs from the kitchen, through the living room to a hallway. Then back. Observers are required to cheer for him (the runner). My daughter likes to sit on my knees during the bike portions. She leans forward and grabs my index fingers as if they are her personal aerobars. It's absolutelty hilarious.
It is also something we praise and encourage. With the exception of our dining room (china and all), we rarely prevent our kids from running in the house. We just try to limit the potential for damage and injury. If they want to run, they run. And whenever possible, we take them outside so they can play on their bikes and REALLY run. Our chores often suffer because of it, but we'll have plenty of time to clean. They'll only be kids for so long, and we want them to develop a LOVE of running and biking. In the future, they won't care all that much that there were toys in the living room or books on their floor.
They WILL remember being able to run like the wind or bike all afternoon. And if they remember, perhaps they'll continue. And if they continue, perhaps they won't find themselves struggling to REGAIN fitness when they get older. Perhaps they'll never lose it.
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