Sitting around doing nothing the other afternoon, the phone rings. It's the little girl that I know.
Me: Hi Sweetie, what's going on?
9 yr. old: Not much, just going to school and stuff.
9 yr. old: Remember when we went out for our girly day and you said you MIGHT give me a pedicure for my birthday (which was three weeks ago and I got her something else.)
Me: Mmm hmmm.
9 yr. old: When can we do that?
Wow, now there's a close. Did I just buy a time share?
Me: I'm not busy Wednesday, would you like to go with me then?
Of course, then I have to get on the phone with her Mom to work out the details. Apparently, the kid's schedule is too full to do it when I can.
When did 9 year olds get so busy?
At 9, my biggest worry was whether or not my red transistor radio battery was good or not. I'd ride my pink bike with the psychedelic banana seat from the time I got home until dark listening to 103.5 FM. Eat dinner. Do some homework. Scouts on Tuesday. That's about it. Of course, I had chores and we did stuff, but we weren't on the go every night of the week. And needles for the record player...THAT was important.
When did keeping kids constantly entertained/busy/amused become such a priority?
P.S. Yeah, I know, I'm bitchy lately. Deal with it. I've not gotten any this week! At least I gave you all a little eye candy up top. It's something.
21 comments:
I feel sorry for kids these days. They are being pushed so hard by their parents all the time. You know we're heading for a whole generation of burn outs. haha
I was never that busy up until last week. How could a 9yr old possibly have such a schedule??? That would suck!
Love the pic on top. Although, it bothers me that she has a watering can in the gas tank. Who's car is she vandalizing??? LOL
Happy Day!
Jay: Are they smoking pot, too?
RockDog: You noticed the can????
when i was 9, god i can't remember that far back lately LOL, no wait, i was out playing football trying to be one of the lads, climbing trees and playing knock a door run!!!
those were the days!
I'm noticing her can. Oh, you mean...
Anyway, what kind of music did 103.5 play? I had a banana seat bike, too.
Thanks for the eye candy. ;)
I, for one, am not a soccer mom, stage mom or pushy mom.
My kids had stuff to do, like what we middle-aged kinds, would consider normal stuff. Sleep overs, going to the mall...yadayadayada
The youngest did Girl Scouts, which lasted about a year... don't get me wrong I was supportive... but some of the mom's there were psycho obsessvie with planners for each one of their children's activities and a summary of the week so as not to miss anything.
Good grief.
I'm from the old school where kids are required to entertain themselves. EGADS, it's hard enough being a "regular" parent - I can't even imagine having to entertain them each and every minute! Kids need down time.
We allow ONE activity per season (baseball in the spring, football in the fall, etc.) and other than an occasional sleep-over or b-day party, there is nothing else.
Gee, you just unintentionally made me feel really good! I am NOT a planner mom. There are times when the kids have activities, but for the most part, we freestyle it. I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of mom.
It seems that kids, like adults, these days simply must fill all their time with things to do. Frankly I still find pleasure in sitting by the creek and listing to the wind. There is still power in nothing! ;)
You know, last year when my son was 5, I saw our lives and his rapidly spinning into that nine year olds. There is so much pressure to do everything. So...we quit soccer and freed up 3 days a week...it was for the best. Now he gets to be normal and play with his trains and tractors and give me some quiet time every once in a while.
BTW- I like the pinup....I've always wished I could rock a pinup outfit on Halloween or something...but we'll talk about that 50 lbs later;)
That kid sounds like a trophy wife in training....
I do have a comment regarding the banana seat bicycle... but, I'll let that one slide for now ;)
Some legs on that girl up there though... made my jaw drop a few inches.
My oldest bo is nine and we definately don't subscribe to the 'must entertain during avery waking moment' frenzy that so many parents get sucked into. Youth is supposed to be enjoyed and carefree for the most part right?
Also,I agree with you about the gift cards.
I use to have a bike with a banana seat too.
It had a little ringy ding bell attached to it along with tassles and one of those ugly ass baskets with fake plastic daisies on it!
My daughter is so sure that she's missing out on everything... and she really does miss out on a lot. We do family stuff and we do church and community stuff, but we don't have classes or sports or anything I have to drive her to and from. I just don't have that kind of time right now. She actually has to read a book once in a while for entertainment.
Banana seats RAWK!
I was going down the curb once & my seat popped back & I landed in the post............ouch.
I mean really....OUCH!
Bandaids don't stick well in places like that.
I mean they make bandaids for you knuckles, bandaids for your fingertip, but no band aids for your VaJJ. Go figure:P
I never wanted to be busy...I did the girl scout thing and for a few years, dancing but that was it. I could never deal with what they put kids through now. I'm a lazy bunny.
BTW one version of the Chex recipe is on my blog.
heh...
Kids today...They don't even know what a record player is. Cheers!!
I agree. When I was 9, my biggest concern was what dress my barbie was going to wear and whether or not "MY" swing at the park would be free.
Oh well I totally understand where you're comin from... it happens.
Hope you're feeling better.
I'm struggling trying to get around and catch up to everyone's blog. I've had so much going on lately, and feeling like I've been neglectant.
Soz.
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