When my son was younger, Chillis was our go-to restaurant. After dinner, my son’s ritual was to run in their ample grassy outdoor space where my husband and I would chase him to try and get him into the car.

When I look back, what was he doing wrong? He was doing what kids do, running. He was experiencing the joy of just being in the outdoors.

Why do we stop them from doing what their body needs the most?

As a teacher, I see the world through the eyes of little energizer bunnies.

Everything is exciting and new.

When I open the doors to go outside, they race to be the first into an open area of freedom. They run into open space like the whole world is theirs.

I watch as they run so fast they trip over their feet, but they get back up and keep running.

As they unlock the energy within, they discover new adventures.

Jumping from large rocks allows them new challenges and prepares them for the more considerable challenges they will face later in life.  As they fall: and they do fall hard, they will learn that we do get back up again in life.

They race to see who is faster, but there is no prize for the winner.

They hold hands and pull each other down and laugh so hard they can’t get back up.

No matter how tired they get, they keep running and jumping.  Endless energy and endless smiles keep the adventure going.

I think about the days that we tried to slow my son down, that we told him to stop running, to stop jumping. Why? Because we were tired?

Let your children run.  Allow them to unleash that energy, and enjoy every moment of childhood.