Get your minds out of the dark, dirty gutters my friends. I know what the title of this post could imply, but it doesn’t. There’s nothing but PG-13 going on here today.
This is me as a kid. My parents were a little hippie dippy and my mom made some of our clothes. It was the 70s and things were Flower Power back then. Can you dig?
One of my favorite things to do as a little girl was to go outside and PLAY. No fenced in yards. No cable TV. No fears that my face would appear on the side of milk carton.
At some point in everyone’s life, we abandon the luxury of free play. When a bird flying outside the window calls “chase me to the highest limb,” we stay seated at our desks….continue doing laundry…keep typing on our computers. Go away, bird. I’m busy.
How long has it been since you’ve simply PLAYED? When was the last time you felt free from potential embarrassment…free of any fears…had an entire afternoon to forget about the obligations that hold you hostage to adulthood?
Andie suggest that to battle the UNs, I take some time to be a kid again. So, over the weekend among a fun-loving group of family and friends, it was PLAYTIME!
There were water balloons filled….
…and broken.
There were raw eggs tossed…
…and caught.
And after the second-place winner of the egg catching contest basked in her glory, there were apples floated and bobbed for….by kids and adults alike!
Many studies have shown that unstructured, imaginative PLAY can help kids to grow into happy, well-adjusted adults. It can help build creativity, social skills, and even academic potential.
So, I ask. What happens when we reach adulthood? If giving children a break from organized activities, TV, and other electronic screens is essential to healthy development, then what about us adults? SHOULD WE HAVE PLAYTIME, TOO?
When is the last time you simply…played?
The Chameleon's Backbone 
Posted by Carl D'Agostino on July 19, 2011 at 2:59 am
The times were radical as were people but at least people were safer to enjoy these wholesome family activities. Not so in present Miami. House or church or community parties for Hollow-ween safer instead of trick-or-treat in unsafe streets ruled by thugs of the night and that all too frequent Miami drive-by shooting.
Posted by Tracy on July 23, 2011 at 12:26 am
Agreed! I live in a relatively safe neighborhood so sometimes I forget about all the crime that’s out there…until I turn on the news.
Posted by Bonnie on July 19, 2011 at 7:32 am
I love your posts. It’s so true about taking time to play, to relax, to enjoy. To get out in the open air and just breathe deep. When it gets cooler, I love to go for long walks on trails (I’d say hiking but I’m afraid I’m undeserving of that description – I walk, lol). Looks like you had an excellent weekend!!
Posted by Tracy on July 23, 2011 at 12:28 am
Thanks Bonnie. Every day isn’t that good, so you’ve gotta enjoy the good ones that come along! Sometimes I call climing the stairs “hiking,” haha, so I think that walking can count, too.
Posted by SuziCate on July 19, 2011 at 9:31 am
Not only should we have playtime, but we should get naps and snack time, too!
Posted by pattisj on July 20, 2011 at 12:21 am
I agree with SuziCate!!
Posted by Tracy on July 23, 2011 at 12:28 am
Me three!
Posted by Ron on July 19, 2011 at 11:12 am
“Get your minds out of the dark, dirty gutters my friends. I know what the title of this post could imply, but it doesn’t. There’s nothing but PG-13 going on here today.”
HA! GREAT intro, Tracy!
“At some point in everyone’s life, we abandon the luxury of free play. When a bird flying outside the window calls “chase me to the highest limb,” we stay seated at our desks….continue doing laundry…keep typing on our computers. Go away, bird. I’m busy.”
Ain’t that the truth! It seems as though we’ve gotten so involved in not only our obligations, but also technology, that we’ve lost touch with ‘connecting.’
LOVE the photos of you tossing water balloons! How FUN!!! Reminds me of a time when I use to go up to the roof of my NYC apartment building and THROW them into the street; trying hit people on the head down below – HA! Aren’t I EVIL???
“Many studies have shown that unstructured, imaginative PLAY can help kids to grow into happy, well-adjusted adults. It can help build creativity, social skills, and even academic potential.”
And I truly believe that. When I was kid we HAD to use our imaginations because we only had the basics, therefore had to get creative.
I honestly try to give myself playtime at least once a week. No time-watching, no planning, no structure. Just PLAY!
Fab post, girl! Loved it!
X
Posted by Tracy on July 23, 2011 at 12:29 am
I dunno Ron, maybe you ARE evil! 🙂 If I ever get to Philly, I’ll steer clear of walking beneath your window.
Posted by Andie on July 19, 2011 at 7:27 pm
You look happy at play! Wanna play kickball tomorrow night?
Posted by Tracy on July 23, 2011 at 12:30 am
:-). Kickball, anyone?
Posted by Yadayadafishpaste on July 19, 2011 at 8:35 pm
I think in the past few months I’ve had more opportunity for that than I can remember… and it’s felt good. I’m reading a book right now titled Still Lickin’ the Spoon by Becky Freeman. With chapter headings like Can I just grow up to be a kid?, I’m sorry frog!, Has anyone seen our brains?, Can I hug the bunny? and so on it is little lessons that she has learnt through the eyes of her own and other children (mother of 4). I’m thoroughly enjoying it as she reminds to not forget the child in me. And now your blog is another perfectly timed reminder 🙂
Posted by Tracy on July 23, 2011 at 12:32 am
Sounds like a great book and one that I’d enjoy. Yes, you may hug the bunny.
Posted by pattisj on July 20, 2011 at 12:25 am
We have a picture of us and our daughter about that age…and only the colors were different! Oh, and my hubby had a beard, too.
Posted by Tracy on July 23, 2011 at 12:33 am
I loved that my parents were ‘cool,’ but the only thing was that I didn’t realize it at the time. Would love to see YOUR picture from the 70s posted one of these days.
Posted by Sheila on July 23, 2011 at 1:44 am
Yes, we too need playtime, ANd IT’s been WAY TOO LONG!