Diversions: November 2007 Archives

Hanging around my neighbor's house this evening, I had what I'll call a mini-epiphany: Moms -- and Dads too -- aren't having much fun these days. I got to thinking about this after spending a pleasant hour or so talking to said friend as all the kids, and there are a lot of them, watched a video. It is so rare that we simply hang out, let the kids be kids, and just talk among ourselves. But it seems so necessary, too.

I remember my parents' evening ritual. It would start around 6 pm, when my Dad got home. They would take a good half hour to enjoy a drink and share some undivided attention together before the chaos of dinner, bath, homework and whatever else broke the mood. The kids were not to be in the living room during that period, and they didn't have videos to put us in front of. We just did it, because if we didn't, there were consequences. Why have things changed?

I went looking for answers at the Web site of Christie Mellor, an L.A. mother of two and author of "The Three-Martini Playdate.'' In her book, she asks: ''How did children become the center of the universe? You were here first. Parents, it's time to right the balance. Time to take charge. TIme to enjoy your life.''

I could not agree more. What's your view?