You know it is spring in Meadow Lake when the parks are filled with children, riding bikes and playing sports.
This year there is more involvement than ever in sports like soccer and softball, and not just from the players.
Parents are becoming a part of their children’s activities by volunteering as coaches and referees, or by just cheering their son or daughter on.
It is a good thing at a time of the year when vandalism and mischief becomes a problem. Instead of kids being out alone making trouble, they are with their families having fun.
It comes down to knowing where your children are at all times. Maybe you don’t have time to spend every waking minute with them, and no one expects you to do that, but knowing what they are doing and who they are with could make a world of difference.
It would be easy for a parent to send their child off after dinner to play soccer, especially if they are old enough to be out on their own.
But what if their child decided he or she didn’t want to play soccer that night? What if instead, they rode their bike around town trying to find something “fun” to do?
All the while, the parent is at home assuming their child is playing soccer.
If that parent went to their child’s soccer game instead, showed interest in what they were doing and encouraged them to go and have fun, that kid probably wouldn’t want to be out alone getting into trouble.
It would be even better if the parent actually took part in the game as a coach or volunteer, so they could help teach their child and get in some quality time.
Luckily there are lots of parents who are doing just that. And on top of helping their kids and spending time with them, they are setting a good example for other families.
Extra time is hard to come by these days, and many parents are already stretched pretty thin, but in many cases it is those parents who are willing to find that extra time, as short as it may be.
At the very least, parents need to talk to their children.
They should find out where they like spending their time, what they enjoy doing, what they would like to do if they had the opportunity.
Even if there is no way they can actually be there with their kids all the time, by showing interest in their lives maybe they will take that into consideration when they have to make a tough decision. Maybe they will choose to play soccer instead of skipping it and stirring up some trouble.
Summer is a time to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. Children are out there finding fun ways to pass the time.
There is a good chance they would like to spend some of that time with their parents.
JN
Publisher: Donna Ritco Proprietor and published by Bowes Publishers Limited at 311 Centre Street, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada S9X 1Y6
