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Kids & Company Blog
Scraped Knees and Watermelon Seeds
I remember growing up and looking forward to the coveted summer vacation from school. It held the potential for endless adventures and fun in the sun. Every day I’d come home covered in sand, dirt and sweat from the day. Bliss.
That was a long time ago…Parents, myself included, are now terrified at the idea of telling their child “be home before dark!” and feeling confident that their little person will come hurling through the front door seconds before the sun sets. Were parents always this scared about letting Junior roam and they just covered it up? Or, have things changed so much that we quarantine the kids to the house because we think it’s safer?
Here’s the thing…I have no idea why children and parents are now fearful of the outdoors but the truth is, we have to work around it. Regardless of what has or has not changed we’re responsible, as parents, to get our kids outside to play. Video games and cartoons are not a summer break.
As parents we’re becoming overweight, our children are becoming overweight and we’re all missing out. We need to be committed to going outside – together – to scrape our knees and debate over whether swallowing watermelon seeds will lead to a watermelon plant growing in our tummies.
If we’re not comfortable with allowing your children to play alone outside, it’s our responsibility to accompany them. We can’t just let them sit around on their bottoms missing out on climbing trees, running through sprinklers, playing ‘Kick the Can’ and getting the exercise and adventure they deserve as young people.
Click here for a couple of ideas to get you all started:

Jackie Kardesh lives in Chicago, IL with her husband Eric, son Landon and three dogs. She is the Director of Marketing and Operations for our U.S. branch with a passion for children’s health and wellness.
You can find her @jackiekardesh or jkardesh@kidsandcompany.com
Posted on: Tuesday June 3rd, 2014
Posted by: Jackie Kardesh
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Beltline
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Pine Village Porter Square, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Canton
Jackson
Lincoln Park
Harrison
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Cochrane
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Diamond
Friendly Frog
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Islington
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ABC Kiddie Kampus Exeter, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Halifax
Hamilton
Hammonds Plains
Route 39
Schaffner
Swatara
Hummelstown
Pine Village JP Revere, Part of the Kids & Company Family
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Kamloops
Eagleson (South Kanata)
Tyke Town Lake St. Louis, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Kids World
Langley (200th St.)
London Richmond
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Milton
Robert Speck Parkway
Mississauga Gateway Centre
Nanaimo
Pine Village Needham, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Ottawa Barrhaven
New Westminster
Pine Village West Newton, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Pine Village Newton Highlands, Part of the Kids & Company Family
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Head Office
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Stoney Creek
Morgan Crossing
Surrey Professional Centre
King George
Sylvan Lake
Bloor Christie
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Finch
Front
Wellington
Scotia Plaza
Stock Yards
St. Andrew’s Church
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Rosedale
Queen West
Tyke Town Troy, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Vancouver West
Langford
Victoria
Sunshine South, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Sunshine Country Day, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Waterdown
Tech Town
West Quincy
Whitby
ABC Kiddie Kampus East Mountain, Part of the Kids & Company Family
ABC Kiddie Kampus King’s College, Part of the Kids & Company Family
Winnipeg
West York
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