Friday, May 18, 2012

"Jump Stops and Side Walks"
We must have looked strange, the kids and I. But it was fun.  They were very young and we were out walking and  I..., I was full of anxiety about them running out in the street.  So, we practiced basketball skills.  Sounds crazy doesn't it.  We walked down the sidewalk and then when we got close to the corner.  We ran and jumped up in the air and came down with both feet a dead stop (Thanks Coach Hoffman!).  We always stopped at the crosswalk before we got to the yellow lines on the curb.  I had the kids in hand so they wouldn't go to far.  Then we would pivot around in a circle keeping one foot pinned in place. All this so my kids would be very conscious of the curbs and running out in the street.  My anxiety was related to hearing about a child getting hit by a dump truck because he ran out in the street.  Parenting comes with lots of anxieties.  Talking with your kids about not running into the street is good.  Add in some fun  practice exercises and games  alleviates a lot of concerns and builds confidence.  Kids learn through play. It's their language! Later we practiced with the kids crossing the streets.  Crossing the streets alone was another whole exercise.  Sadly, none of  the kids developed my great love for basketball! Ah well, such is life!

 I will talk about how to handle it if you kid does run out in the street another time. That leads to the whole discussion of spankings and ADHD and pro's and con's of medication versus kid harnesses etc.  We'll get to that stuff, later.  If you're parenting, talk with your kids and practice your jump stops, pivots and looking both ways before you cross the street. 

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