It’s kind of hard for me to imagine a childhood that doesn’t require a lot of time playing outside. There wasn’t much on the TV, especially since we didn’t have cable. I spent my time playing ball, riding my bike, and catching fireflies. That doesn’t happen much anymore. We have to work for our children to play.

parks: Our suburban city has quite a few parks. Some are more for gentle walking and some are for more active play. In the summer, the parks department offers programs that can help parents find fun things to do in the active category.

Organized Sports: Schools and the parks department offer ways to stay active all year long. Our town has soccer, softball, basketball, soccer, and even water polo. The parks department has classes that include judo and dance. Many larger towns and cities have similar programs.

family involvement: Involving the whole family can increase unity and allow parents to see their children grow in the sport or activity of their choice. When our daughter was in judo, some parents participated with their children and were very supportive of each other. Even when a parent can’t participate, being there encourages the child to carry on and do her best.

80% Rules: I learned this rule by reading some business books. It applies to both parents and business leaders. Our children will do about 80% of what we do well. They will do 100% of what we do wrong. If we don’t make an effort to be active, our children will see no reason to.