When we were kids
We did not have
Games simulating the outdoors
Indoors.
…..
When we were kids
We did not have
Barney to entertain us
So we would eat.
…..
When we were kids
We did not have
Every facet of our life
Visually cataloged.
…..
When we were kids
We did not wear
Helmets and knee protectors
When riding our bicycles.
…..
When we were kids
We did not eat
Fries with tomato ketchup
And ice cream.
…..
When we were kids
We did not have a
Schedule for playing, eating, singing, dancing
And everything in between.
…..
When we were kids
We did not talk back
To our parents
Or question their directives.
…..
When we were kids
We did not have
Cell phones to text with
During family dinners.
…..
When we were kids
We did not need
Hallmark-created days
To appreciate those who mattered.
…..
When we were kids
We did not strain our eyes
On the computer, the television,
Or a gaming console.
…..
When we were kids
We did not go on
Planned trips to
Exotic locations.
…..
When we were kids
We did not shut the world out
With earphones
Attached to nifty iPods.
…..
When we were kids
We did not invite the world in
Via tweets and
Status updates.
…..
When we were kids
We led a simpler life
One with less stress
And even lesser external stimuli.
…..
When we were kids
We were happy
With one TV channel
And a shared home-cooked meal.
…..
When we were kids
We found contentment
In little things
Like building twig castles.
…..
When we were kids
We played until late in the evening
Unchaperoned and
Fearless.
…..
When we were kids
We waited for hand-me-downs
With excitement and
A sense of gratitude.
…..
When we were kids
We lived like kids
Uninhibited and
Innocent.
…..
When we were kids
We were just that –
KIDS!
Not little adults.

"When we were kids, we were just that": Absolutely.
Loved little Mansi posing for the camera with a strange expression. Probably you were a ‘serious’ kid even then — focused and disciplined.
Often the thought of today’s Gen X has always crossed my mind. Its not their fault being exposed to so many things at a very early stage of their life. Sad that the phase called ‘childhood’ does not exist at all and is slowly fading.
Joy always,
Susan
And that’s why so many children are lost today….they haven’t had a real childhood. They are over scheduled & expected to experience more then their age is able to experience & therefore grow up way to fast. They have no true sense of themselves because they haven’t been able to take the time to discover who they are….let kids be kids, let them lose themselves in creating a fort or watching the clouds…..let them make mistakes & help them to learn from them!!
Thanks Mansi,
Hugs,
Bill