I grew up in the 1980s, before parents worried so much about things like injuries, low self-esteem, and kidnappings.  I’ve often reminisced with my friends about all the things we got to do growing up that kids just don’t get to do now.  Here are some examples of what I got to do back then that most parents aren’t going to allow now:

• Run wild in the neighborhood.  My sister and I pretty much had the run of the neighborhood.  We played in the open space behind our house, wandered down to the cattails a quarter mile away, and rode our bikes around the block without asking first.
• Make a mess.  I can remember painting my little sister’s face with tempera to make her look like a clown.  My mom didn’t get mad at me — she actually encouraged it!  I remember her complimenting my "work" and taking pictures in the backyard.
• Play with things that aren’t toys.  For example, when I was a kid we had a couple of old-fashioned paper cutting machines — old guillotine cutters with painted metal arms, varnished wood bases, and absolutely no safety devices whatsoever.  Now no parent would dream of letting their kids play with something like that, even rotary trimmers (which aren’t as dangerous).
• Ride bikes without helmets.  When I was a kid, bike helmets weren’t a necessity — in fact, I remember not wanting to look "dorky."  Now even small children on scooters and tricycles have helmets on — even though these same kids aren’t allowed off the driveway (whereas I rode all over the neighborhood)!

I know that parents worry much more these days about their children’s safety, but I’m just not so sure that I was any less safe growing up than some of today’s pampered, sheltered children.

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