First it was the trampoline,

then it was dodgeball and tag. Now they are taking away swingsets at elementary schools.

We've become such a litigious society that kids can't even play on the swings anymore! This is getting absolutely ridiculous. I've said it before and I will say it again. Soon recess will be nothing more than children lined up outside (not touching anything or anyone, 'cause they might get hurt) for 5 minutes each day.

How is it the school's fault that your kid decided to play Superman and launch himself from the swing? Are teachers supposed to be mind readers now too? And does your backyard swing set have a "safe" surface for your kid to land on?

Hell, when I was a kid the school playground equipment was surrounded by gravel. Hurt like hell to land on and gave beautiful road rash. But how was it any worse than the rock hard ground around my swing set at home? The squishy rubber surfaces or sand that most play areas have now is brilliant, and if your kid didn't try to fly, maybe he'd have landed on it.

Kids do stupid things. They can't help it (they have no impulse control), it's their job to be stupid and learn from their mistakes. Quit molly-coddling your kids, let them learn and teach them responsibility for their own actions. But most of all...

Parents, let your kids be kids, quit trying to make a fast buck from their childhood.