Do You Think We Have an Easier or Harder Time Than Our Parents Did

[Sherry]

Do you think we have an easier time or more difficult time as parents than our parents did?

[Sherry]

This question can go either way in my opinion.My parents weren't as concerned with my feelings or concerns the way I find myself being with my children.

Those days the adage was that children were to be seen and not heard.Spanking was the norm and a parent had the right to raise their chid as they saw fit.But there was a definite lack of information that we have access to that our parents couldn't of even imagined.

So our parents experienced a lack of accountability that in times of weakness I have felt a real envy for but I appreciate the knowledge that I have had access to that they didn't (and which prevents me from behaving towards my children the way they behaved towards me)

With knowledge comes accountability and I am glad that my children get the benefit of both.

Does anyone else share this experience?

[Santina]

I alway think back to my childhood, and I wish my daughter could have that, so I tend to think it was easier for my parents.

I wish I could just let her run outside and play, go riding her bike. I wish she knew the kids on our street. Today it's just seems like everyone is closed off and everything is dangerous. At 7 I was gone from sunrise until the street lights came on...lol. Never once did my mother worry that I wouldn't come home. I take my daughter to chucky cheese and I tell her to run by me every few minutes. If I don't see her for more than 10 minutes I start to get that sense of fear.

My Mother worked but here was always a neighbour to look after us, communities were stronger back then. I think the old saying it takes a village to raise a child is still very true, only these days there are no villages, it's everyone for themselves.

[Sherry]

That is so true LS.I remember how much anxiety I experienced if my child was out of my sight whereas as a kid you're right,at first light we were gone and didn't have to check in or worry that our parents would worry.The world is a scarier less supportive place now.

[Stacie]

LS, It sounds like you and I had nearly the same childhood! That is exactly the memories that I lament my daughter will never have.

[Santina]

It's tough, but hopefully when they are looking back on their childhoods, they will be good memories.

[L & D]

The one thing I truly miss for my children is the freedom I had. We left after breakfast and ate lunch wherever we were and had to be homewhen the street light came on (sometimes dinner intterrupted this schedule). We ran around all day, rarely checking in, sometimes a 30 minute walk away from home. The moms all knew eachother, so someone was almost always watching, but we didnt know that. Now, I don't let my 6 year old in the front yard without myself, my hubby or one of his sisters with him. My 9 year old can ride down the block to her friends, but that it. My 12 year old has to call when she gets where shes going. Its a different world, scarrier.

[Shea]

It is a much scarier world. I too had much more freedom at 10 than my son is allowed. Thankfully we live in a out in the country near a small town. We live on a small private road where we all know eachother so my boys at least get to roam "free" in our tiny neighborhood of 6 houses.