Get Outside and Play....

My husband and I early on decided, much to the dismay of our children, that video games were something that we would not have in our home. We recognized the fact that many children, including the personality of some of ours, could play hours upon hours and would need our constant reminder and scolding to remove themselves from the hand controller. It would be a source of contention and we firmly believe that as we were brought up, a child's place should be in the beautiful outdoors soaking up the sun and exploring, playing and getting sweaty. You see, while I don't believe that a small monitored amount of video mania will hurt, (and I know my children get plenty of this at friends homes) there seems to be an epidemic of pale, shadowed eyed zombie kids that prefer nothing else. When these little ones are supposed to be learning skills, getting exercise and enjoying conversation, they are instead battling James Bond or trading real football games for electronic John Madden. I didn't want to have to constantly monitor how long they were playing and constantly remind them to get out of the house and play. My children have now made comments that they are glad now that we didn't succumb. It took years for this sort of thanks but even a few weeks ago my teenage boy commented about his appreciation. Sort of. He commented that he can't start a band because none of his friends play the guitar. He said that they are all caught up on Guitar Hero and think they can play. They have traded real skills for pretend ones. He was glad that he practiced his "real skills" even though at the time he really wanted the guitar hero. I know these games are fun, I don't knock anyone who has them, I just don't want them to enslave me as the XBOX patrol. There is more to this story besides real life skills. It is another aside to the video game mania. Vitamin D. We get Vitamin D from the sun. Yes, we do get it from a few other foods, ie. salmon, Tuna, Milk, Eggs , Beef and cheese, but not in the same way or dosage as the sun. Vitamin D plays and essential roll in cell growth. It boosts the body's immune system and strengthens bones. Hmmmm. Maybe this is another reason why the Goodman children are so healthy. We get our sunshine. It is also important to let the little ones get outside without sunblock. It takes at least 15 minutes of sun for the UV rays to trigger Vitamin D production in the skin. Tate's specialist even recommended that we take off his shirt and have him go out in the sun for 30 minutes at least a day with no sunscreen. Of course, this does not mean in the middle of the 115 degree day. Use sense. But, today so many of us are slathering our children in sunscreen the minute they hit the outdoors. This has a whole other source of issues with it which I won't get into, but just think about the amount of toxins you are putting on their biggest organ, the skin, which just drinks it up. Ick. The bottom line, get outside. Turn off the games and go play them. Feel the weather and life. As adults we are equally as guilty. I am trading my indoor gym days to the outdoor gym days. I need my D too. I feel so much better when I get outside. In AZ we have no excuse. You cold weather people have a little more challenge ahead of you.Let us all get our daily dose of D. What are you going to do with your recommended 15 minutes minimum of sun soaking today? I will be trimming our bushes.....but... I think I will keep my shirt on.