Talk:Professor Finbarr Calamitous/@comment-183.178.212.156-20120531011346

I, too, have been contemplating this since I read your first blog post. Perhaps some of the qutoiesn lies in the quality, rather than the quantity, of the programs  for kids.For example, Girl Scout camp  yes, this summer my daughter spent two weeks at camp. But, during that time, she experienced the simplicity of nature, was entertained by nothing more than a campfire and some songs, and had down time to explore and rest and discover herself away from me and her familiar surroundings.Rather than wrestling with (or feeling guilty over) the amount of time that a child spends at camp, or in the care of another person, or in programs, perhaps parents should concentrate on finding the right fit of the time with their child. The reality of today's society is that children will necessarily be in the care of others for a significant period of time, during the school year and during the summer. (And, I, for one, am happy that I have the opportunity to work and develop my professional and intellectual life outside of the home). But parents wishing for a return to childhood  or as I tend to think of it, a state of simplicity for their children, should consider what types of experiences they wish for their child when outside of their own care.Again, this brings up issues of affordability, certainly, high quality care is expensive, and what is left for the children in our country in the most need often falls short of the ideal.But, in any case, for those of us with means, what is the best type of program for your child? A laid-back summer camp with plenty of time for self-discovery? A competitive music/art/sports camp with an emphasis on the performance/outcome? A preschool that focuses on school-readiness  and places a premium on following directions? A learning center that emphasizes discovery and play in a rich environment?OK, off of my soap box. I'm just considering my perspective on these thoughts Bess