Post-Covid, kids need to roam free -- and be free to make a mess
In 2015, Pope Francis told a crowd of young people in Paraguay to go out into the world and make a mess. There is some dispute about whether he was speaking spiritually or literally. I think the fairest reading is that it was both. Make a mess, but then also help to tidy it up. A mess which gives us a free heart, a mess which gives us solidarity, a mess which gives us hope, Francis said to a cheering crowd.
In one way, you can understand why the South American Catholic kids cheered. Its not every day that the living head of your church, and the first pope from your continent, all but tells you to go have a food fight so long as you help clean up after. As he noted in his remarks, They wrote a speech for me to give you. But speeches are boring.
It would be good if the pope would say similar words the next time he comes to the United States, because its a message parents here of all faiths, or no faith at all, really need to hear: Messy kids are OK.
Kids in America used to be allowed and even encouraged to get dirty and do things on their own. Especially during summers, kids were told to go out and play and be back by dinner. That is not the case in the country these days, and it's more than a shame. The Covid-19 pandemic makes this complaint more urgent, not because we shouldnt take any precautions, but because outdoor transmission of the virus is so low, and thus outdoor activities should be greatly encouraged.
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/post-covid-kids-need-roam-free-be-free-make-mess-ncna1277745
___________________________________________________________________________________
I think Papa Francisco may have been talking about "good trouble" rather than literal messes, but this writer has a point too. My mom always said, "Dirt makes kids grow," and I think my mom was a very wise woman.