During summer, we had one rule: Come home when the street lights come on.
> During summer, we had one rule: Come home when the street lights come on.
We had the same rule.
At age 11-14, about 15 of us used to ride our bikes 17 miles (one way) and play on the Yorktown Battlefield. We’d bring paper sack lunches and drink from the park drinking fountain.
As long as we got home before dark it was OK.
I grew up in Flordia, running the woods and creeks full of gators till the sun went down. I lived there till 3rd grade. In Maryland, we ran and played in the woods. Same thing in Virginia and later in Texas. I spent most of my young life alone in the woods, miles away from civilization, pretending I was the last human on earth, teaching myself survival skills like. By todays standards, my parents were a abusers. That time spent being independent created who I am today, which is likely why I am Conservative and fiercely independent.
Parents today hover like crazy thanks to 24 hour cycle of rape and murder news, convincing parents the world is going to kill their children the second they turn the backs.
Yep or when you heard Mom’s yell for you.
I lived across the street froma fields...I used to spend ENTIRE SUMMER without shoes (i took them off the last day of school and didnt put them back on until the start of school next year) and in the woods across the street from my house- from the time I woke up until it started to get dardk.
I would give anything to go back to those days- the most fun I ever had. We would carry in 2x4’s and plywood pieces we could scrounge, and chopped down trees to build a fort... it was AWESOME
I imagine at least 9 out of 10 of those things would get me or my parents thrown in jail these days.
Ya, that’s how it was back in my day. We went outside in summer and played all day. Nobody asked where is your mother. I realize times have changed. But that little girl was safe as can be in a public park with lots of other people around.
quote “During summer, we had one rule: Come home when the street lights come on”
we had the same rule! we were only allowed back inside if we were bleeding or it was dark!
Our rule was, come home at the dinner bell. My friend and I would stay all day down at the creeks and woods behind my house. When it was time for my friend to come home, his parents would ring a large bell in their backyard. It could be heard throughout the neighborhood, and even down at the creek.
My next door neighbor’s dad used a CO2 powered boat horn.
Otherwise we were pretty much left alone to our own devices.
No self-respecting kid would come home until dark. I’d get up around 7am, grab a cup of instant coffee and then ride my bike to the library and various parks, or wherever I pleased. I’d go home when I wanted something to eat or drink and then back out I’d go. Sometimes we’d play soldiers using our whole block as the perimeter of the war. Sometimes we’d follow a creek and go exploring, picking up crawdads or other interesting creatures. If someone got cut, we’d go home and dress it ourselves. We played roll-a-bat or “baseball” or kickball. Someone usually had one piece of equipment and someone else another. Depending on what you could bring to the games you might be the captain. Summer used to be fun. Now it’s scripted to death. Poor kids.
Us too or until your friends mom told you to go home.