Helicopter parenting being the norm now may make play time more costly. A generation or two ago, many kids were free range kids after school, playing pickup games of basketball, touch football, etc. with their friends after school, without the parents needing to spend time or money. Now, a kid’s play date with friends requires parental supervision, as does any activity. Since parental time is now involved, parents may have motivation to make sure that the kid’s activity is working toward some goal, rather than just playing with their friends.