Children

I realize I can only speak for my generation, but excuse me if I generalize this a bit.

I feel like American children are babied more than children from Germany. My friend's son is 9 and today, I was at their house to keep an eye on him. He had a flute lesson at 5:15. He practiced, packed, and got ready to go himself. He also biked there himself and remembered to take a house key before he left.

I would say those days are gone in the states, at least in Michigan, where I live. I'm sure if you talk with my parents they will tell you they walked places as children, or rode their bikes. I myself walked to school in Kindergarten and first grade when school was nearby. However, I feel like this new generation is growing up with parents that are a bit overly concerned for their children's safety. I am not saying parents should let their children take the subway in New York alone, as one mother from the Big Apple did recently, however, letting junior walk to school might be a good thing. Exercise and a bit of self responsibility never hurt anyone.

Just a thought.