To all the kids who survived

[bueller]

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the

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1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!​

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First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they
carried us.​

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They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing and didn't get tested for
diabetes.​

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Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored
lead-based paints.​

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We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we
rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took
hitchhiking.​

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As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.​

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Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.​

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We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.​

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We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE
actually died from this.​

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We ate cupcakes, bread and butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but
we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!​

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We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back
when the streetlights came on.​

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No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.​

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We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down
the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the
bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.​

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We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no
99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell
phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat
rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!​

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We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
lawsuits from these accidents.​

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We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and although we
were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the
worms live in us forever.​

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We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang

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the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!​

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Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't
had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!​

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The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They
actually sided with the law!​

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This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers
and inventors ever!​

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The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.​

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We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO
DEAL WITH IT ALL!​

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And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS!​

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You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as
kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own
good.​

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Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't ​

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[jejton]

Lets see...the Great Depression, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Communism, ethnic cleansing, pollution of all our waterways, decimation of our natural resources, extinction of countless species, terrorism, nuclear blackmail, wall street crash, Bill Clinton, crack epidemic, AIDS epidemic, obesity epidemic, depletion of social security, overuse of medical resources....all wonderful products of the kids of the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's. Boy am I grateful.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

But people were taught respect and most people had respect. Today, there is none.

 

[jejton]

60's, 70's? respect? yeah kids have no respect these days but I'm sure you old timers heard the same thing from your parents too. It seems like moral degeneration is at an all time high but I think its just that we are more aware of whats going on, and its easier for people to do things that they might have not done so easily in previous generations, but there are really very few new things in life.

 

[xc800x]

That is funny we all did do those things and we did survive,well mostly.I guess if you are old enough to remember those good times of clean fun and respect for others than you have learned how to understand todays younger generation of {this is all due to other people}and no sense of what they are missing.I cant see my children riding bikes all over town as I did and we are in the same house as I grew up in,just cant trust like then

 

[ocholoco]

hey

You guys raised us!!!!! I was born in 1982 in Puerto Rico and all u mention I've lived. So I really dont know what u talking about, Maybe New York life change me a bit.

 

[greggnyce]

One of the reason peole did not get as fat,is that actual sugar was used in soda and the other junk foods, that all contain high fructose corn syrup now. Those generations always claim to be so great but actually you are no different than the rest of us, maybe you would get more respect if you stopped thinking you are so much better, just my .02

 

[JHOV2324]

Im glad i survived in 1980 and wasnt left on the bed sheets......

 

[CHEMCHEF]

Bottom Line. People born after the 70's generally, do not get smacked in the mouth after doing something wrong. I am not saying children should be hit.
But if my son is 13-14yo and gets in trouble for something bad,,, Vandlism,,,theft,,,disrepect to the law,,, He will get smacked in the mouth and not forget it just like I did.
As of now,,, I,m lucky. I seem to have well behaved, smart children & have not had to resort to anything physical---ever. But I think they know I would if pushed,,, and knowing might wind up being enough.
Just my .02

 

[bueller]

The Fear Factor is a good thing...

its easier for people to do things that they might have not done so easily in previous generations

Like to sit back and collect a welfare check instead of getting off their butts and finding 2 jobs if they had to support a family like our parents did. My father had too much dignity and would rather do what ever he had to do to put food on the table / clothes on our backs. He never wanted a hand out.

oh..and a smack across the ass once and awhile to keep us in line & went a long way...lol

my 2 cents

 

[cowfish]

Just thought I'd add my .02

While being conscious of the way things are today, I do try and raise my daughter like my parents raised me. She's only 4, but she knows enough to be respectful to others. Her tv is limited and she doesn't have any video games nor will she until she's old enough to buy them. She likes to go outside and play. A day at the park trumps all other activities. She doesn't drink soda except for infrequent trips to McD's and sweets are limited to 1 treat after dinner. I imagine things will only get more difficult as she gets older, but IMO being a good parent means doing what's best for your child, not what's easiest for you. My job as Daddy is to help my child grow into a happy, well-mannered, compassionate and educated adult; not to be her best friend.