I am convinced that a huge part of our creativity, self-reliance, and inventiveness has come from those long lazy summers of free play outside engaged in nature even when schools may be mediocre. Unfortunately, birth control and family planning have led to two child families where the kids are treated like precious china dolls instead of free spirits.
I agree with that. Unfortunately though, that's near impossible anymore with the state of things. There's always that "fear" of being sued, or our boys being accused of any little thing. We keep a tight reign on them, but we don't lock them in the house (except on 100 degree days - we make them stay indoors). I wish times were like when I was their age - I was never home - I either walked or rode my bike all day long with my friends. We never had to worry that our parents would get a knock on the door from the local police because we walked through our neighbors backyard. I reference this because this happened just down the street a few weeks ago - two kids walking home from the pool took a shortcut between two houses down to cross the creek (no fences, etc.) - property owner called the cops for trespassing. Boggles my mind.