On summer days and Saturdays when I was growing up, my mom would open the front door in the morning, hand me a sack lunch, and say: “Go play outside. Be back by dinnertime.”
Usually, my friends and I would make our way to a nearby park, fishing creek, or wooded area to explore. Even though Mom wanted me out of the house so she could get work done without me bothering her, she was also unknowingly helping to boost my mental health and emotional wellness.
