According to an article in the Washington Post we're raising a generation of indoor kids. Is this really a surprise? Do kids today go outside for something other than parental or school-sanctioned organized activities?

Not to sound like an old codger ranting about the good 'ole days, but in my day our parents kicked us out of the house and made us just go play outside. "Playing" didn't mean joining a soccer league or taking a kayaking class or belonging to some crunchy nature group (although those all sound like cool things too). Playing was wandering through the woods, knocking around a baseball at "Sixto Lezcano Field" (otherwise known as the neighbor's backyard) or riding bikes everywhere. The only really organized games I remember playing were Kick the Can or Ghosts in the Graveyard. Do kids play those games anymore? Do kids even hang out with their neighbors anymore or knock on the door and ask if "Timmy can come out and play", or does Mom have to make a playdate? As an aside, whoever thought of the word "playdate" should really be punished. Severely.

I know that parents are worried about Stranger Danger, but kids are probably just as vulnerable online as they are hanging out in someone's backyard. Contrary to popular belief, there's not a Chester the Molester lurking behind every bush. And yeah, kids will get in trouble outside, but if you're lucky you won't find out about it until years later ;-)

I was at my nephew's graduation party the other weekend and my oldest brother was recounting some of his youthful exploits. Apparently, he was quite a rebel and deserved to get his ass kicked by more than a few adults. I think it was the first time my Mom had ever heard some of the stories. But even knowing what she knows now, I think she still would have made us go outside. And God bless her for it.