Where has the fun gone?

[Piebird]

Where has the fun gone?!

I think every generation complains about the new ones coming up.

We have a great balance at our place and the fun is all over the place.

Sure we each have our own computers and our grand daughter, who we are raising, does too. Sure she like to watch TV too but we do tons of other stuff also.

We play board games, cards, garden, and cook together.

One of both of our favorite memories is me waking her up after midnight because a thunderstorm had started. We cuddled under a blanket and watched the show.

Where has the fun gone? Fun is what you make it and where you make it.

[Joe S.]

I wrote or modified over 100 non graphic computer games when I was in college. I am not against the games. I just believe that there are other things the kids could be doing. It may be a factor of how much time parents spend with their children. What creative activities are provided that keep them busy.

Sorry I digressed. Every generation has to wrestle with the nebulous term "Values". Values is a moving target. The pursuit of happiness is one of those values. Fun is part of that pursuit. Money can facilitate that pursuit but often it is of greater hindrance since happiness is a choice.

[Carolina]

Heavens, my grandmother thought card playing was the work of the devil.

I have heard older young people sharing stories of cartoons they watched, cereals they ate, cards they collected in their "good old days'.

I've also heard them moan about how kids today don't know how to have fun.

Reading anything but spiritual literature was also considered a vice at one time.

Relax, enjoy what you have.  We won't be around to watch the 'handbasket' going down to h377.

Elaine

[aussie mum]

It has been really interesting reading this thread. Here's my 2 cents......

I think one of the major influences in modern times is that the cost of living has made us all so busy.

These days, it is practically impossible to buy a home in Sydney without two full incomes. Plus, the more affordable homes are on the outskirts of the city, leaving a really long commute to work (some up to 2 hours each way).  That makes it really hard for a family with kids to do the everyday stuff and then find time to relax and have fun.

[irish]

aussie mom, You are right! The cost of living, and the expectations that we have laid upon ourselves because of the cost of living, in spite of the cost of living and as a result of the cost of living, has changed our lives completely. Also must mention the necessity of keeping up with the Joneses---whoever they are.

There is really no one we need to keep up with nor is there any written law that says we must have everything that we see in the store. There are so few necessities in life. Running water, plumbing, a roof over our head are the things all of us would not do without. It is amazing how little one needs to get along though. It is often the fact that we want our kids to have more than we had that drives us to "keep up" and spend all the money buying all the things that really are bad for our children.

I am so glad that I raised my kids when I did. Toys were cheaper and didn't seem to steal their souls. They watched very little TV compared to the kids now. My problem was to get them to come in the house at the end of the day. Living in the country isa fun for kids. We can't solved the problem, but we all sure wish we could. There are a lot of good things going on, but seems like common sense does not always dictate how they are used. IRish

[eye2dry]

My husband and I were just talking recently about you don't often see kids zipping around
on their bicycles or skate boards anymore.

My kids are in their 30's and they rode their bikes, swung on the tire swings, swam a lot,etc.....

My day it was hide and seek, tag, four square in the turnaround,etc....


Kids today are not seen much outdoors, they are in the house with their games, on their laptop, and so on.


I don't feel kids really know what it is like to have fun, they are too busy being

in an electronic trance.



eye2dry

[Velcro]

Not to mention the "fear" factor now, legitimately.  We grew up, do your chores and then outside.  Our parents would be screaming at us to come in at dark.  We rode bikes everywhere and walked through every creek and neighborhood around us.  Our parents wouldn't see us for hours and never worried about it.  The worst was coming home to get multiple band aids for the road rash.  I remember Mom cleaning me up, bactine and band aids and right out the door we went.

Now, in today's times, parents are afraid to let kids leave the yard.  Again, understandable with all the "bad" people out there.  I think that has a lot to do with it as well. Many places it's just not safe anymore to let the kids roam unattended.

[irish]

I just had to add this. Velcro, I love your name. Your name signifies what a person with Sjogrens does. We stick to it---or have sticktoiveness---because we have to stick with the whole shooting match in order to survive and perservere. Good luck. Irish

[slccom]

If you were a baby boomer, there was considerable safety in numbers, so our parents would know a couple of things. First, that all the parents were looking out for all of the kids (and ready, willing and able to squeal if we misbehaved!). Secondly, there were lots of kids and no bad guy could possibly get all of them, and the others would scream bloody murder.

We could stay out safely until dark. Both of these are missing now. That is probably partly the reason for the growth in youth organized sports. And of course, if you report to a parent that their precious little snowflake misbehaved, you can assume that s/he will hand you your head on a plate!

Sharon

[long time dry]

This has been a fun thread to read and reminisce over.  Growing up I remember a lot of time outdoors climbing trees, playing on backyard "jungle gyms," and various other physically active things.  A couple of friends and I also played "Nancy Drew."  There were 3 characters and 3 of us so it worked out well.  We were reading the books and it was such fun imagining ourselves having adventures like Nancy and her friends.

All that aside, I have to agree with much that has been said here by most of the posters.  The world has definitely changed.  I was thinking just recently about how many things current kids won't experience, but I also realize that they won't miss them because they have never experienced them.

I think a lot of the nostalgia for things in the past is because they were there at a very hopeful time in our lives.  I remember looking forward to the future and expecting it to contain many good things.  It's hard to beat that mindset when you are looking back at when you believe you had more fun, as well as hope.  For most people I think life turns out quite well, but nothing matches those early emotions.

Elaine, I saw a bumper sticker a few years ago that you would love.  It said, "Where are we going and why am I in a handbasket?"  I started laughing out loud and other people on the sidewalk started looking at me.  I thought it was hilarious and decided to ignore those who didn't see it, didn't understand it, or just didn't care.

[Velcro]

I just had to add this. Velcro, I love your name. Your name signifies what a person with Sjogrens does. We stick to it---or have sticktoiveness---because we have to stick with the whole shooting match in order to survive and perservere. Good luck. Irish

Thank you.  It's actually something my hubby and I use for the word "love".  Long story but when he first said he loved me, and asked me how I felt, I panicked and blurted out "I Velcro You."  He asked "Huh?" and I said, "I'm stuck on you and would feel ripped apart if you went away."  Ha ha....it was pure panic! 

You are right, it does work for Sjogrens or chronic disease in general too. 

[slccom]

Long time dry, we also didn't have to pay mortgages, worry about health insurance, etc. We had very few worries and lots of confidence that the adults in our lives would find solutions to any problems.

Sharon, who never did get out of line and ratted on!

[susanep]

I haven't read all of this thread yet, but wait a minute. While reading I was singing to my little Yorkie dog who is playing games with me.

We sometimes go over to my son and daughter in laws house and  play board games. Best nights are those.

In my house right now I have a set of marbles. I didn't get them for kids either. lol....

While watching tv we get silly. I love when the opportunity arises to just get silly.

I don't think money has anything to do with laughing or just having a good time. But, that is just me. I could tell you all stories that would cause you to fall over laughing, but I won't. They were true stories in my past life. lol.....

susanep

[susanep]

Ok, I went back to read it all. lol.. It is so true that today it's a dangerous place out in the world now. No getting around that anymore. I feel so sad for todays kids.

I also know that each generation thought the other one was the worst, but with all of this progression how can we not see a truly different world.

Sure we want to know where our kids are, but now the government wants to know where we all are. They want to know all about everything we do. Our health, our food, where we are, who we are with. Just think about it .

susanep

[irish]

    except for Sjoggies who don't even know what we ourselves are often thinking, or where we are going or if we even got to the right place to begin with. If we can't keep up with ourselves I see no reason why the government should think they can keep up with us. Or something like this or that or the other thingy. IRish