Favorite childhood pass times. The memories you look back on fondly. How can we create more of that with today's...

Hide and Seek, Cowboys and Indians, Tag, Softball.... These are just a few of the games we use to play as a child. These games are being replaced by other games such as Nintendo, Playstation, Xbox, etc. Instead of encouraging our children to play outside, we are allowing the TV and video games to become 'babysitters'.

Needless to say this has become a dangerous trend, causing a rise in childhood obesity because they do not get enough exersice. How can we prevent this? What can we do to reverse this trend?

Start with yourself. Do you sit in front of the tv or computer playing games in your spare time? Chances are if this is what your child is witnessing, it is what he will choose to do. Can we change this? Yes, we can!

First, limit all tv and video time. Make a schedule and follow it every day. Limit time allowed watching tv and playing video games to no more that 2 hours a day.

Second, get outside with your child and play. I have found that children spend so much time inside that they do not know any games to play outside. Introduce them to a new game. Play an old favorite. Tag becomes a favorite when played with Mom and Dad.

I remember my parents playing softball with us (there was 4 of us). My mom was running to home base as fast as she could when suddenly she lost her balance and did flips all the way to the home plate. This has become a favorite memory for us. Now that we are grown we treasure the times our parents came out and played with us. We realize that they took time out of their busy schedule to spend quality time with us. It was their way of saying 'I love you'.

Now that I have a daughter of my own, it has become important to me to spend every moment I can with her. She is 16 months old and already we are playing tag and hide & seek. She loves to go outside and just walk. I limit her tv time. She watches it for an hour after supper. I want her to grow up healthy, both physically and mentally.

I realize that not all parents get to stay home with their child, but most have a set day off. Why not schedule a softball game? You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it!