They truly are gone:

How Children Lost the Right to Roam in Four Generations

I was a bit overprotected as a kid by parents who had suffered through three miscarriages before I came along, plus I was a girl, so I was not given the freedom James remembers: leaving the house early in the morning to ride bikes with buddies to come back for lunch or even as late as supper without fear or repercussion. On the other hand, as long as I told my mom where I was going, I remember being allowed to walk or later bike just about anywhere: the half mile to Linda's house or the mile to Sherrye's, down to the Cranston Stadium or even to Thall's. I remember the grand day I was sixteen, my mom was at work, and I wanted to go to the Paperback Bookstore in Providence so badly, so I took the bus downtown on my own for the first time. Doesn't sound like much now, but it was a Big Trip back then and quite lovely, being able to browse in the Paperback Bookstore and Read-All and Woolworth's and the Providence Public Library for as long as I wanted without my mom getting bored.

Now everyone's in organized activities instead of just playing like we did, and tied down by cell phones.

Labels: memories, news

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. . . . . noted and logged by Linda at 7:32:00 PM

Comments:

Hi Linda: As you know, we both had the same type of childhood - very protected. My husband was allowed to go out in the morning and come home at the end of the day. It was understood that if a parent did not hear from his or her child during the day, everything must be okay. My solution to the problem of children not getting enough "nature time" in this day and age is to have the parents and grandparents take them to the park, the community outdoor play gym, and so forth. In our town, we take the grandchildren to the park/play gym. They get to meet lots of other children, and we get to meet the parents and grandparents. The children are supervised, and they are out in the fresh air running around and playing with new friends. Yes, times have changed, but attentive parents and grandparents can make those changes - for the better. We do not have to be victims of our circumstances. Much love to you and James.

# posted by  Anonymous : 8:03:00 AM

 

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