Give parents a break
The article titled “Spend Quality Time With Kids” may have been well-intended, but was way off the mark. In these days, when children don’t get enough exercise and there isn’t snow on the ground for sledding, or frozen lakes and streams for ice skating, it seems a great idea to have an indoor physical play area for children. The fact that there is a coffee bar, lounge and free wireless Internet access for parents while their children are within view does not suggest that parents are abdicating responsibility.
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There are few options in the winter for children to have unstructured physical play and exercise. If adults need indoor exercise (the gym, aerobics, etc.), as part of their winter regiment, why not children? Young children, not yet old enough to participate in organized winter sports, surely need to work off their stored up energy. Do not adults feel invigorated after a healthy workout in an exercise room, playing racquetball, indoor tennis, skiing or snowboarding? Are they not more relaxed, have clearer heads and sleep more restfully?
How is the concept of the “Fun Barn” any different from taking children to an outdoor playground in warmer weather, sitting on park bench filling a human need to talk to other adults, and allowing children to interact creatively and spontaneously? Being a real parent is understanding when children need to release energy, engage in imaginative play and enjoy social interaction with other children,
Reading books to children, playing board games, building with Lincoln Logs or Lego’s, and doing craft projects as a family just lasts so long, and does not work off pent-up energy. Personally, I applaud the parents who find time to take their children to places like the “Fun Barn” instead of sitting in the house watching TV or playing video games.
Irene Jurbala-Austin
Dover
Amen Irene! I believe that the Fun Barn is a great place for kids to go and have fun! I agree that it is much better then plopping your kids down in front of the tv!! Let them get out and play!