I started observing this the last couple of years, and this year is starting out in a very similar fashion. That is, how come when I go outside, the neighborhood seems deserted? Garage doors closed, no kids running around, silence. I am a little unnerved by the whole thing. Where is everyone? I know my neighbors have kids, so why aren’t they outside? What is everyone doing? I have a few ideas, but it isn’t any more settling.

When I grew up, we hung around with all the kids that were in a couple block radius of the house. The neighborhood was an extension of the family. It was our extended family. Everyone looked out for each other and we knew all the parents.

Now, I don’t even know the kids next door. They are my kids’ age, but no connection. I rarely even see them. It is not often that kids in the neighborhood even hang around with each other.

One of the reasons for this, I think, is because we as parents plan every aspect of our kids’ lives. Being home is down time. Everything they do is “organized”, especially sports. Go look at the local baseball diamonds or hockey rinks. Do you ever see any kids there just playing a pick-up game? Rarely, if ever . . .

As a result, families are busier than ever – away from home. I think kids need to be able to explore, play, grow, and form friendships and bonds that are a product of their childhood. Neighbors need to interact with each other and not act as collection of strangers living in close proximity with each other.

We have lived in our house for close to 7 years and I still don’t even know my next door neighbor. It is a sad ommision. I just hope we can return to the days where we once again connect with each other in ways that were once commonplace. Where our kids can know the joys of just being a kid, doing those things that kids do without the constant organized & scheduled oversight of the ever vigilent parent.