I recently surprised myself when I allowed my 4 yr. old (Belli) to play out in the rain. She didn't even have to beg! and to tell you the truth I really enjoyed it...It is amazing how much fun a child has when they have no pressures and are just allowed to be themselves. She jumped in the rain clothes, shoes and all, without a care in the world that Mommy was going to yell at her "do not get dirty"...as a child, I remember spending all my free time outside. I played in the heat, I played in the rain, I played in the cold, it didn't matter and my mother never said "is too hot to play outside" like I do to my kids most of the time. I did not watch TV at all, and there was one! but I was more likely to be found with my older sister and younger brother playing with the rest of the neighborhood kids, or climbing the mango trees to pick the ripe fruit for a snack, or perhaps walking barefoot in the puddles after it rained. We had fun, and we NEVER complained about being bored. I do, however have my fare share of scars, specially on my knees, but its a good remainder of how happy life was. It is not possible at times to allow my kids to grow up as I did, but it is worth it to at least try to give them a little taste of what a carefree childhood should be before they grow up and have adult responsibilities.
