| It saddens me to see some of the changes that have taken place in the pastimes of children over the years, many by the influences of adults who think they are making the world a better place. When I was growing up we never dreamed of having as many games and entertaining gadgets as most children nowadays have, and yet I can't recall us complaining nearly as much about boredom. It didn't take a lot of material possessions to make us happy. In fact, we probably had most of our fun without them. We knew how to entertain ourselves and were encouraged to do so. For some reason, parents now have the aching desire to give their children everything that they didn't have. What they don't realize is by doing so they are taking away what they did have. |
| Playing outdoors meant so much to us. That was our life, our freedom. We didn't care much for being cooped up inside. But if that was the way it had to be, then we would try to make the best of it. We could always play "I Spy" or "Hide and Seek" if there was someone available and willing to join in. Otherwise, Fun Pads, comic strips and construction paper was often available for playing solo. I don"t recall ever worrying about not having anything to do. It seems this is just the opposite for kids today. They would rather sit around the house taking life easy, complaining that it is either too hot or too cold to play outside. And if the weather is comfortable, and they decide to give the outdoors a try, it isn't long until they venture back inside, usually because they're bored. |
| We used to enjoy many fun role-playing games. "Cowboys & Indians," "Cops & Robbers," and "Simon Says" were a few I remember well. Not only were they fun, but they also worked in burning energy and helping us to interact with one another. Now, children play the roles of computer-generated icons such as Crash Bandicoot and Lara Croft. They don't get much exercise, but they wear calluses on their fingers. And even if they did have interest in such innocent games as "Cops and Robbers," America won't stand for that kind of hostile behavior. For example, recently in Florida, three innocent kindergarten students were expelled from school for partaking in this game. Ironically, the students probably spent their time off shooting villains on video games. |
| Playing in the rain is another pastime I vividly recall. We would splash in the puddles and play in the mud. When we were finished, what mud the rain didn't wash off was showered away by a water hose. Honoring our mother's strict orders, we would then strip to our underwear on the back porch before stepping foot in the house. I never see children splashing around in the puddles anymore. If a child is covered with mud, it is likely that he is crying because he either fell or got pushed. And could you imagine a child having to strip outside nowadays? Human Resources would be knocking on your door with accusations of abuse. |
| It is incredible how much things have changed over the years. I can't believe my eyes sometimes when I see what is becoming of our society. The innocent pastimes of my childhood never hurt anyone. Why do we want to turn innocent pleasures into crimes, all the while exposing our children to mass media and spoiling them with material possessions? How can this make the world a better place? |
| Yesteryears Puddles |
| April 15, 2002 |
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