The Decline of American Playtime—and How to Resurrect It
VoxThe world can be terrifying. But we should still give kids the freedom to explore it.
Read when you’ve got time to spare.
Image by Maja Hitij / Staff / Getty Images
The world can be terrifying. But we should still give kids the freedom to explore it.
Giving your kid time on screens might actually be good for your whole family.
Kids don’t need squash cut into star shapes in their $60 stainless steel (not dishwasher safe!) lunchbox to know they are loved. They can eat off cafeteria trays and still get into a good college, or at least not grow up to be serial killers. #TeamSchoolLunch forever.
A reminder to parents soldiering through the summer: Boredom has its virtues.
In a way, meals are a terrible time to attempt to foster whole-family connection, and it isn’t as essential as the culture wants you to think it is.
When so many people think hovering is what good parents do, how do you stop?
Something seems to have shifted post-lockdown, and our appetite for empathy and grace in communal spaces has withered.