Either Way

February 8, 2024

There's a wonderful 1985 cartoon from "The Far Side" that shows a devil with a pitchfork prodding a guy standing in front of two doors: The sign on one reads "Damned If You Do" and the other reads "Damned If You Don't." I've never met a parent who doesn't relate. Here's an example: modern playtime.

We're told from every expert corner how much kids need exercise as well as space to explore their boundaries on their own. This used to happen naturally when our parents pushed us outside to roam the neighborhood when we were young. But that's no good these days: Despite the fact that North America is safer now than when we were kids, our hyper-aware culture makes us think danger lurks around every corner, so this traditional part of childhood is out of fashion. The 21st century brought us an alternative: indoor playgrounds. if it's too hot or cold or wet to play comfortably outside, you can head indoors to a creative space where kids can run, jump, climb, explore, and discover. Covid reduced their popularity for a few years, but they're back. Here is KOAA's list of local indoor play centers to make it easy to find the ones you haven't yet visited.

Of course, as you walk through the "If You Do" door, you're faced with more uncomfortable choices: Can you relax while your kids are climbing the walls or bouncing on the inflatables, or do you need to be waiting at the bottom of every slide? My colleague Katie found a solution: Bring a grownup friend or two along with you, with or without extra kids—most places don't make you pay extra for grownups—and take turns checking in. Everyone wins!

Now, suppose you choose the "If You Don't" door, what then? You can push your kids outside into the elements... and then some will squawk about how you're a bad parent for doing so, while others will tell you it builds character and prevents Nature Deficit Disorder.

The only thing a parent can do when faced with these kinds of doors is to ignore the devils, think hard about what your kids need, and make the best decision for your family. Either way, I'm in your corner, cheering you on.

—Deb