Childhood Freedom
Kids Had More Freedom Then
60 years ago, children had a lot more freedom than they have now. As a child, I used to be away from the house for hours at a time. You just came back for meals.
Climbing Trees and Playing at the Dam
One of our favourite places to play was in the woods and at the reservoir. I remember climbing a tree to try and get the rope swing down but I couldn't quite reach it. The tree had spikes hammered into it high up, too high for a small child to reach, so one of the older children boosted me up to reach the spikes. I climbed right up to the first branch and out along it but the rope swing had been tied around just beyond a big twist in the branch and I couldn't reach it.
Getting back Down
Of course, getting back down was a lot harder. I had to inch backwards then get up and turn around to get down the trunk!
My Brother nearly Drowned
The reservoir wasn't really a play place. It belonged to the coal mine but the water was clean, there were fish in the stream and lots of little creatures - fascinating. One day, when I wasn't with my brothers and sisters, they were walking along the rim of the reservoir and the youngest slipped and fell in. The next eldest to me reached in and grabbed his hair and pulled him up again!
Crossing the main road on a Trike
My other brother had a tricycle when he was small. Coming back from the woods, he decided to cross the main road, pedalling his tricycle. the cars all stopped for him - all two of them.
Playing In The Street
We played with skipping ropes in the village street. not many people had cars, so we only had to stop playing usually for delivery lorries.
Adults had less Free Time
They didn't have time to look after children. Kids played with kids and you learned from others. It wasn't at all like today.
Bank coins 14989 money $22.48 Just 11 coins and 2 cents to go to the 15,000 coin target!!
Image Credit » https://pixabay.com/en/youth-active-jump-happy-sunrise-570881/ by jill111
Comments
lookatdesktop wrote on November 22, 2015, 6:23 PM
Sounds like you had your moments back in the old days of your childhood. Thanks for sharing. I often rode my bike along the trails of a local park and sometimes we waded in the creek at 5 mile parkway. People are beginning to take long walks along the Kiest Park Trails as the city of Dallas is building more walk paths and sidewalks in my immediate neighborhood.
Oceanblue wrote on November 22, 2015, 7:25 PM
Children these days certainly have a different way of playing. My children played in the dirt, made billy carts, played out door sports hardly ever watched tv. They were different days.
cheri wrote on November 22, 2015, 9:33 PM
I do really miss those freedom I enjoyed when I was a child!
CoralLevang wrote on November 22, 2015, 10:39 PM
Freedom is such an interesting word. So many think they have more freedom today. I appreciate the freedom you share from decades ago.
Lillybell wrote on November 25, 2015, 1:13 AM
It certainly was a different time. I wish we didn't have to worry as much as we do today, but we have to keep ourselves safe the best we can.
luisga814 wrote on November 25, 2015, 9:04 PM
Yes. Dam is not a playground but why you are residing nearby? Anyway, thank God that they are safe.
VinceSummers wrote on November 29, 2015, 8:59 AM
Admittedly, it's hard to drown pushing a mouse. There are advantages to computer-feeding your kids. It's just that they are few and far between.
MegL wrote on November 29, 2015, 1:43 PM
Sitting down is nearly as bad for the body as smoking. Most people need more activity and I know i could certainly do with more.
VinceSummers wrote on November 29, 2015, 4:48 PM
Allow me to sit down and shake your hand. I agree.