My son runs out into parking lots now. Soooo, that’s a lot of fun.

Ninety nine percent of the time, I’ve got his hand before we get close to an exit. The other one percent of the time, I KNOW he’s not running out the door into traffic…or so I thought.

When I pick him up at school, he runs down the hallway giggling (how could I not let him do that!?), stops at the door, and waits. Then, we walk out holding hands, and HE makes me stop to check for cars. I think that’s the only time I let him run ahead of me when there’s a possibility he could go out the door.

The other day, we were with friends, including his “best girl” Lily, and he and Lily BOLTED out the door of a restaurant into the parking lot. I was held back by some other people also leaving and couldn’t get to him until I pretty much knocked my friend down to get past him to chase my boy in the parking lot.

He got an earful and a timeout on the sidewalk. I said a prayer of thanks.

The next day, he tried to run out of Target ahead of my husband.

Yes, we hold his hand walking across the parking lot and the street and what-not, but this running ahead business is bananas! Both times my husband and I were unable to get to him right away. I'm not naive to think that he knows the all dangers or remembers what we tell him about cars and parking lots, but this just came out of no where -- as everything usually does with these kids.

Since these incidents, I’ve got hold of him from the time we walk in some place to the time I buckle him in the car to leave no matter where we’re at.

Now that the weather is getting nicer (is it?), I’ll soon be out of my element outside.

See, I’m kind of a stay-inside-watch-movies kind of a gal, but I’d hate to keep Lincoln away from beautiful days of playing outside. So far, I’ve been pretty good. We’ve rarely missed the opportunity to go outside and do something if it’s nice.

This may seem weird for me to talk about – making myself go outside more for the benefit of my kid – but, I’m really talking more general. I’m interested to find out what you’ve changed about yourself (something that’s been with you or about you for a very long time) for your kids.

We change a lot and most of it is expected and/or natural and not that big of a deal because we know it’s coming when we’re expecting a child. Some, like my desire to sit on my butt and watch Roseanne, is harder to break. I suppose because it’s a habit? It’s part of me? It’s what I did as a kid? (Not all the time. I played outside a lot, but I live in a neighborhood with tons of kids. I played outside while my parents sat inside and probably watched Dallas.)

I don’t see anything wrong with watching TV. Duh! I LOVE TV! But, Linc likes to go outside. Do I like to go outside? HECK NO! But, I do because he likes it, and I don’t let on that really, I’m at a loss out there. These times, I follow his lead and run around like a maniac.

What do you do outside with your kids? I need some tips!

Erin Hill is a first-time mom to Lincoln, who was born in January 2010. She's learning as she goes and is experiencing everything a new mom goes through while seeing the humor, irony, and enjoyment in her adventures.

Erin is a full-time technical writer, a freelancer for Patch, and co-creator and blogger at SlimSavers.com. She lives in Plum with Lincoln, her husband, Adam, their dog, Roxie, and five (yes, five) cats, Nirvana, Gary Roberts, Elvis, Talbot and Forrest. (Anyone want a cat?)

Last week, in Philadelphia, the parents of two teenagers who allegedly robbed a nine-year-old girl turned them in. Images of the teens from a convenience store’s surveillance camera were released, and the parents turned the boys in that same day.

Would you turn your kid in?

While I can’t imagine what it’s actually like to see your teenager on the news for a crime, I think I’d turn mine in.

We’re here to teach our children right and wrong, but, though we may preach it, would we practice it?

I can assure you, I do. I can say that with confidence, too, but cause it is high on the list of my parenting priorities. What I think is right, is put into practice: Be honest, be nice, do time if you’ve done the crime, etc.

Not only is turning them in the right thing to do as a parent, it’s the right thing to do as a member of society. I’d hate to have that over my head for the rest of my life, and I’d hate for my kid to wake up one day and think “man, I robbed someone and never paid the price.”