Prisoners of war are sometimes kept in cages designed to force them to be stooped for prolonged periods of time. Under perpetual tension, the small group of muscles which serve to keep us erect quickly fatigue. Having no relief from the stooped posture would soon feel like torture and likely result in injury. One would not stay in a stooped position for very long due to the resistance of the lower back against gravity. Yet, that is precisely what is simulated in a chair, the resistance being provided by the back of the chair. The lower back is routinely straining against the chair back as it would against gravity. It's no wonder the back agonizes upon standing up straight after sitting in a chair, or sitting for too long in any way whatsoever. Why do we do this to ourselves?
I must admit that I have been using my bed and the wall it buts against as a kind of recliner from which to spend far too much time on the internet. Old habits die hard. However, I am much more mindful of my back. The signals to shift position are now heeded when they were ignored or suppressed for too many years. I check in with my back more frequently.
The physical benefits of living without chair use -- I have not had any back problems -- has inpsired me to examine other habits and comforts which are unnecessary. I certainly don't need chips, cookies, or ice cream. Junk food is not allowed unless I bother to make it from scratch. With an already too busy life, I am unlikely to bother. My restaurant patronage has also been curtailed after realizing that I can cook better versions of restaurant food at home, from scratch, and for a fraction of the cost. Unless I'm in a five-star restaurant that actually provides the revelation it promises, I always go home feeling ripped off because I know I can cook better than that. It is also more fun to cook from scratch, especially if you can manage to make it a whole family experience. The family that cooks together stays together. My fourteen year old daughter now cooks dinner for the sheer enjoyment of food exploration and I just sit back and enjoy the service! She has nearly mastered barbacoa, a versatile and simple preparation of roast cuts of beef.
On child rearing...