I TOTALLY agree that for kids things used to be so much better. I grew up with my mom and grandparents in a very small town, and most of my days were spent riding horses (with the family dog coming along) and doing all of the things you describe, and I would not have changed a thing. A dirty, exhausted kid is a happy kid:-)

When my daughter was born I did my best to replicate the scenario. In fact, she just now left riding her bike to a friend's house so the friend's parents can take them to the fair, as it should be. I like to think that we are progressively old-fashioned.

Society wonders why kids are troubled and overweight, but nobody wants to raise their own children anymore and PARENTS don't 'get out and DO' so the kids don't either. I was determined that my child would grow up respectful and active and the best way to do that is to be an involved, respectful and active parent. Like dog training, also not rocket science. Kids mimic what they live and see, not what they are told. I worked at home until my daughter started school, often not making much money doing so, to keep my child out of daycare. If I can do it as a single parent, there really is no excuse. I did without a lot of things for those years, but it was well worth it and I would do it again. I couldn't wrap my brain around the idea of letting strangers spend that much time with my daughter, and it's never made sense to me.

My sister is a therapist who works with troubled teens and their parents, and more often than not the kids are relatively healthy compared to the families they come from, but the kids get the blame because s*** runs downhill. They grow up thinking there is something wrong and bad about themselves, so of course the cycle perpetuates. Most of these kids come from upper-middle-class families that have two working parents, and these parents can't understand why their kids are so troubled when "they have so much". Yeah, everything but their parents. They learn priorities at an early age: 1) careers and expensive toys, 2) kids. Knowing that monetary concerns come first does not make for a balanced individual. It's CRAZY MAKING.

 Quote: Michele McAtee

BTW. Speaking of old shows...Does anyone recall the show Land of the Lost? Will and Holly and the gang? Ha. I still think about that one from time to time. Were the Sleestak things aliens????

Michele, that was my favorite show to watch on Saturdays! Weren't they on an alien planet, somehow separated from their parents?

I have to confess to watching HR Puffenstuff as well...

(I'm wondering what the lifespan will be for this non-dog related forum... )

Just got back from the Duquoin state fair in Ill., and passed through Chester, they are getting ready to have the "Popeye" celebration, which they have yearly. That was another one of the favorites.....

Well there's no doubt, you're right Claire. These are the 'good old days!' For all of us. Nothing like staying the present.
We do remember with fondness though the days of innocence, the days before we found the dark corners of life that stayed in the shadows beyond our focus or grasp at the time. I recommend to anyone to savor them....if they have any.
My time was much too short. But I have some. More then way to many today.
I know this thread has seemed to have morphed into television memories, but if I had one thing to say that would make life better for society today it would be; throw the damn tv out the window, or at the very least turn it off once and awhile. Read a book, strum the quitar, play with the dog, talk to your mate, talk to your off spring, think about the day, do a crossword puzzle, do anything.....but watch the damn mindless crap offered on tv hour after hour, day after day, week after week, and month after month. If there's nothing worth watching, turn the stupid thing off, find something else to do.

The children will learn.
Randy

fraggle rock was the best!

lynne, you'll be so disappointed, i actually do have a tv again! i got given one, and since the dvd drive in my computer is completely kaput, i use it to watch movies. i've gone over to the dark side....

at risk of going off-topic from tv shows (wow!), thought i'd post the link to our weekend backpacking w/my brother - we had a lot of fun, it was just a short little trip - 7.5k yesterday to our site, a short day hike this morning further out the trail and then back to the trailhead - 12k - but it was fun and good to test my tibia and see how it did, it was fine, so the 7-day trip next weekend is a go http://picasaweb.google.com/nuneons/KillarneyAugust2008

 Quote: jennifer mullen

... thought i'd post the link to our weekend backpacking w/my brother
http://picasaweb.google.com/nuneons/KillarneyAugust2008

Waaaaaait a minute!

I saw DOGS!

In "General Non Dog Related Chat" !!!

 Quote: connie sutherland

Waaaaaait a minute!

I saw DOGS!

In "General Non Dog Related Chat" !!!

Don't show favorites here, Connie!

I expect this thread to be locked immediately, like any good moderator would do.

O.K., not really.

incidental!

it's not my fault, i swear....they, uh, kept on following me....

Jennifer, beautiful pics! Looks like it was a fun time.

Jennifer, great pix!
Neb is really cute; did I see one blue eye and one brown eye?