I am sure if you ask my kids if I hover they would say no. They only see me as one way.  Ask their friends or even worse-ask their friends’ parents and you may hear terms like ‘Helicopter Mom‘ thrown around.  It’s ok. I have heard it before.

I have these 2 little humans I am in charge of for at least 18 years and I guess I take my job pretty seriously.  So far we have been lucky.  No significant injuries, breaks or stitches.  I attribute our clean record to their cautiously informed outlook on life.  I have tried my best to teach them how to be safe both inside and out.  I guess if that means I hover, then so be it.  I am not sure I do though.

You cannot hold their hands forever and unless you live in a sandlot there are just a few little things you need to teach them so they use a bit of not always so common sense.

1. Know what plant life is hands off. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac.

2. The buddy system- do not venture far out of the yard alone.

3. Do not go where you cannot see the house or hear me yelling.

4. Wear protective gear when applicable

5. Hydrate and bring a light snack outside with you. My kids keep a container of nut-free trail mix in the garage.

6. Wear sunscreen

Now I think this is pretty basic knowledge but after my sons have come back from friends houses with tales of unsupervised outdoor adventures I felt the need to reiterate the need to take a few safety precautions to ensure more fun and less hassel on our last remaining days of summer break.  Before you know it we will be back in the confines of the classroom relegated to 20 minutes of outdoor play time at recess and worse for my high school aged son who could only dream of such a fresh air break time.  Do I wrap them in bubble wrap? Heck no. But I have instilled (I hope) the need to think on their feet and take a few steps toward having a safe and happy day in the sun, dreaming away the hours making up games, playing on the Slip and Slide and riding bikes.

Read more about #HealthyKids at Ivillage 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of iVillage
. The opinions and text are all mine.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of iVillage
.  The opinions and text are all mine.