[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by NoMo50

My wife and I are not part of this 1% group, having been born in the mid-50's. Our parents were born in the mid-30's, so even they have no real memories of the depression, or its after effects. But, I do think we grew up in a terrific time period. In our youth:

I was born in 1961. My parents were born in the 40's. Dad's 93 now, mom I think turns 90 this year.

You did your playing outside. If you were inside the house during non-school hours, it was because you were being punished.

I did both, but also I liked to read and spent a lot of time inside for that reason. The whole neighborhood played together though - we all could go in and out of each others' houses, every mom was our "mom." It didn't take a village to raise us kids, but it did take a neighborhood.

All of our friends were real people who you interacted with on a regular basis, not a group of avatars on a phone who you rarely, if ever, see in person.

Though we did use the phone a LOT. The one attached to the wall in the kitchen.

We ate our meals with our family, cooked by mom, and talked about everything under the sun. Eating out was a rare treat.

Once a month we'd go to Sorrento's, where Johnny and Irene were our hosts and made our favorite pizza. Dad had white birch beer, and we'd play "Sweet Caroline" on the juke box. Mom and dad were both working, so often we'd have TV dinners or fishsticks; but mom did cook from scratch several days a week.

We learned how to fix things, and be self sufficient. We were taught early on to accept responsibility for your actions...this really wasn't an option.

They tried. We didn't always learn. But they did try.

We respected our parents and our elders.

Mostly, yes. Depended on the parents. Most parents were responsible adults who didn't spend all their time glued to the TV, yelling about how this politician is a crook or that politician can fix America, or that other politician's wife is a so-and-so, etc. etc. Our parents led by example, for better or for worse. If they earned our respect, then they got it. If not, then they didn't. Same as now, same as always. Respect is earned, not mandated.

We were taught the value of earning our own money, and you didn't buy something until you had saved up for it.

I was fortunate to have parents and grandparents who could afford to buy things for me that I "wanted" (but didn't need), but I had to earn the privilege through good behavior, being a good person, helping other people, demonstrating kindness, and keeping my room clean (that was a big one, heh). I didn't have to buy my own clothes, or bicycles, or jewelry, until I was in college. And even then I got a monthly stipend to cover necessary expenses. However I also got an allowance, which was eliminated when I turned 16. It was assumed I would work part time, and so I did. I earned more than my allowance had previously paid, so it all worked out great. I learned how to budget that way.

Discipline for wrongful actions was swift and certain. I might screw up again, but I sure as heck am not going to do that again.

Disciplinary action didn't work very well on me. "You and what army" was my catch-phrase. They could beat me til I was black and blue and it wouldn't stop me from doing what I wanted to do. Take the door off my bedroom? So what? I'll just do whatever I wanted with the door open. They knew better than to go to those extremes. I was more stubborn than they were and I'd always win, anyway. Fortunately, I was (mostly) a good kid. I got spankings once in awhile but it hurt their hand more than it stung my butt, and it didn't teach me any lessons.

There are, of course, many more things that could be added to this list. Obviously, I feel we grew up in some of the best of times.

There were no "best" times. There were only "best" circumstances, regardless of the times.

There were people who lived in poverty during your times. There were kids whose parents beat them during your times. There were families whose yards were beset with burning crosses during your times. There were dads who were gamblers and their families threatened unless the debts paid during your times. There were people who died from what is -now- preventable cancer during your times.

Best circumstances. Not best times.