I never once questioned my mother's income or my father's!! It was never a discussion. We ate homemade meals consisting of meat, potatoes, and vegetables - (which were not an optional choice). No vegetables, no dessert!!! We didn't talk unless told to, hence we were known as the silent generation. We never touched anything that did not belong to us. We never opened a refrigerator at anyone's house unless asked to do so. We were taught to respect other peoples property. And we were rewarded for acting properly.
We grew up during a time when we mowed lawns, pulled weeds, babysat, helped with all chores. We by no means were given everything we wanted. We went outside a lot to play, run with friends, play hide and seek, or went bike riding. We rarely just sat inside.
Bottled water was unheard of. If we had a Coke, it was in a glass bottle, and we didnโt break the bottle when finished. We saved the bottle for the return money.
We had to tell our parents where we were going, who we were going with, and be home before dark..
You LEARNED from your parents instead of disrespecting them and treating them as if they knew absolutely nothing. What they said was LAW and you did not question it and you had better know it! We watched what we said around our elders and neighbors because we knew if we DISRESPECTED any grown-up, we would get a real good whooping, it wasn't called abuse, it was called discipline!
We held the doors for others and carried the shopping into the house. We gave up our seat for an older person without being asked. You didn't hear swear words on the radio in songs or on TV.
โPlease and Thank you", were part of our daily vocabulary! The world we live in now is just so full of people who hate and disrespect others.
Frens, consider Re-posting if you're thankful for your childhood. I will never forget where I came from and only wish children and people nowadays had half the chance at the fun and respect for real life we grew up with! And we were never bored!
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This post is bittersweet. How lucky we were!
Saturday nights in the summer dad would light the Webber kettle and we would have grilled steak, baked potatoes, and salad. It was really special when mom would let us eat outside at the picnic table.
Our dog would run crazy on the freshly cut lawn. Spinning in circles and so happy that we were happy.
My friends and I would ride our bikes downtown and go shopping at the drugstore and five and dimes. Spend our money on bargain bin items and then act grown up when we would order French fries and cokes at the cafe after our shopping spree.
There was a corner store across the street from my school. We called it Leftyโs. He sold penny candy and we would get our brown paper bags filled and ride home.
My parents are still in my childhood home and when I visit them it is also bittersweet. Whispers of the past speak to me, and sadness at the businesses that are no longer downtown.
Chores on Saturday morning, baking, laundry, and church on Sunday with a roast dinner to follow. We rarely went out to eat, and when we did it was a very special occasion.
The neighborhood kids we played and fought with early morning until dinner time. Life was sweet. Thank you for this post OP.
My absolute Pleasure...
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