[Mears]

I read the article in Newsweek and thank God that I raised my kids when it was "easy".

If I had to keep up with the ridiculous schedules that kids are forced into today I would be a total basketcase.

No wonder there is so much ADD and ADHD----the kids don't have time to just mellow out,dream,imagine, and relax.

[AmericanInTokyo]

There are a lot of reasons for the heightened, stressed out situation. A lot of it seems to have to do with the fact that the American people are taxed too damn much that a family of four cannot exist on one salary anymore.

Further, no way in 2005 that junior goes to school on his skateboard or rides a bike like the old days...he is liable to be kidnapped or molested. No siree, it has to be door-to-door, safe and protected mom's SUV service, to and from the school, day in and day out...(not to mention shuttling to all other events)...when in the old days kids just made their way around town on their own. No shortage of liberated American women have also found the "freedom" of divorce, putting little patience into the marraige and bugging out w/ that quick fix at the slightest marital problem... only to be saddled alone later with all the kid-raising without the absent fathers present. It's sad how America in many was has become.

[EggsAckley]

I know what you mean. And don't forget the fact that back in the "old days" the boob tube WASN'T the resident babysitter like it is today. We had to devise our own games and distractions, and our imaginations developed much better (IMO) as a result.

My adopted grandkids are addicted to their X-box game. It's really disturbing. Occasionally we're able to pry them away from the thing and get them out in the sunshine to play. At first they are surly and frustrated, but after about half an hour they become "kids" again and eventually agree that sitting in front of the TV all day is no way to live.

I personally opted to NOT have any kids, due to the career I was involved in. I simply would not have had enough quality time to share with them. Selfish of me? I don't think so. I was really considering what would be best for any kids I produced, and decided I just couldn't give them the quality life I had enjoyed as the child of a stay-at-home Mom.

[macbee]

No wonder there is so much ADD and ADHD----the kids don't have time to just mellow out,dream,imagine, and relax.

IMHO, the reason so many children (including my now college-aged son) have been diagnosed with this so-called disorder is that over-stressed schools and homes absolutely require kids to stay focussed on a series of changing tasks. Failure to do so may result in visits with teachers, administrators, nurses, doctors, and psychologists and often as not a recommendation to medicate so that little Timmy can "stay on task".

My son and I have very similar cognitive and learning styles, but I had the advantage of growing up in a very small town with small schools and plenty of time in the day to just head out the door and play/walk/daydream until dinner time. Difficult to be diagnosed with "ADD" if there are only birds and dogs around to assess whether or not you "suffer" from an inability to pay attention in the prescribed manner.

[Rambler7]

I saw a bumper sticker in Orange County (CA) once, on the back of a van; it said, "She Who Dies With the Best Kids Wins."

I just wanted to throw up.

[freemama]

Today my kids were not in school because of a vacation day. I worked with them this morning on homework and chores, then took them to the Y for a swim. We went to a restaurant for lunch. I walked in and saw some peopel I used to teach with before I quit to raise my children. They were on a lunch break from an inservice day. I was so happy I wasn't with them today! I remember inservice days as colossal wastes of time. I got to spend the entire day with my three kids instead of listening to experts lecturing me how to interact with other people's children.

I am grateful everyday that I have a great husband who understands how important being home for the kids is and that his job affords us this luxury.