We are becoming increasingly aware that our children are in many cases, over scheduled, over stressed, over involved. As parents we feel overwhelmed by time pressures. The American Academy of Pediatrics has published several recent articles on how to help families with these challenges. One discussed the importance of play for kids themselves and also for us as parents. Play helps us maintain strong bonds with our kids.

As my kids are getting older I am increasingly listening to the little voice in my head telling me that they won’t be young for long. Now, when they ask to play or read I have begun dropping everything on my to-do list to jump up and join them. Rarer even than these requests for my time are pickup games of ball. Who just plays ball these days? Rarer still? Pickup games of kelpball on the beach at sunset.

#savoredmoment