Is it me.......................????

[Ann1]

Just been watching the news, and they had a segment about kids being off school, and how expensive it is! They interviewed some folk and they were complaining that a day out was going to cost them £200!!! What's happened to kids making their own amusement? My parents didn't take me for days out, and I wouldn't have wanted that anyway!!

I used to be out from am to pm with my mates, making our own fun. I was lucky, I lived in a semi rural place, so had plenty of places to roam. And I know times have changed, and a lot of the places I used to play has now been built over, but nevertheless, I cannot understand this "hand wringing" of parents, who seem to think that if they don't spend mega bucks every holiday, somehow the kids are "deprived"!!

Even my own kids, (who are now adults) weren't constantly "entertained" We wouldn't have been able to afford it for a start!! We'd go for the odd day out, but into the country and take a picnic (which costs next to nowt) It just seems in the last 10/15 years or so, some folk think kids must have "manufactured" entertainment, instead of just leaving them to "get on with it"!!

[Shadow]

I completely agree Ann-in fact this is an issue that used to come up in our house alot.Because there are some parents who do this type of "entertaining" my kids-in particular the older ones did seem to think that every day they had off we should be doing something-usually involving money-and it just was impossible.Like you I spent most of my time as a youngster with my friends too-and we were out most days I think we have now reached a good point-the kids have their own friends and all three spend time now doing things with them and we also will have "family time "-occasionally funds permitting might be a meal out-might just be walking the dogs in Beamish-I find it a much better way of doing things and Ive found it gives the kids a sense of independence rather than us all going round as a "group "

[Jazz]

Yes, agree with above.......in the early 1900's (me & Ann1) we used to roam around the fields delving into ponds, having stone throwing fights with other like minded kids and generaly having a great time without money being spent. I do remember when my kids were small and when money was tight (or non existent!) I used to sometimes dread seeing an "ice cream man" in the distance.....how can you say "No" on a hot Summer's day but sometimes, not always, it had to be that way.

[Ann1]

What? WHAT??? Hang on a min!!! Early 1900's??? Speak for yourself pal!!! ;D

[Deleted]

I keep thinking I'm 30 and 11 stone, then I look in the mirror........Is it me...........??

I wish

[Jazz]

Of course it is, Milky, but I certainly know what you mean......who is that stooped figure I see when I catch my reflection passing a shop window! For the next hundred yards or so I conciously walk tall.......then, revert back to my usual hunched gait! Ah well!