Did you ever wonder HOW we survived OUR childhood?  

I think we were among the lucky ones to never get seriously injured in a car accident or bike accident or what have you. I believe these safety issues were brought about due to repeated incidents of children being seriously injured from falling off a bicycle with no helmet on, etc. These laws are set in place for our safety and while I agree as I child I did all this stuff and did not suffer from it, I'm the first one to tell the kids (ages 8 and 7) to get their carseat when we're going out. I'm all in favour of doing everything I can to protect them and keep them safe from harm.

I know what you mean hockeygal, have you ever got that email going around about how we are so lucky we survived. It makes me laugh everytime because it's so true. We shared straws with our friends, we would leave to play in the morning and not come back until the street lights came on at night (without a phone or pager) O I don't remember them all but it's a great read.

I also make sure now that my son is wearing his safety equipment that is when I can actually convince him to go outside and play - lol. He would much rather stay in the house with me.

omg i do this all the time. I had lead toy soldiers, i had a bike that i could ride without a helmet, i had toy cars that i used to put in my mouth and chew the paint off, it tasted good. I used to play cricket without a box on too. Lol i also used to take a tent down in to wood land where i was born and wouls spend long summer days and nights camping and fishing. No problem, but i know for sure my children have a different childhood, i just wonder how much we have lost?

By all rights none of us should have lived past 12 years old. Between everything we did, everything we were exposed to and the chances we took we shouldn't be alive today. At least by what they are saying now a days for kids to have to do to be safe. Personally I think we are protecting them too much at times. We do learn some things when we aren't being over cautious. Sometimes I feel sorry for what kids aren't allowed to do now. There are some things that were so much fun when it wasn't as safe as it is now. Like the wind whipping through your hair as you raced down on hill on a bike, skateboard, rollerskates or sled. Thats a feeling you just won't get with a helmet on. There are many other experiences they won't get to have. Some times it's good to know that they are protected but other times you long for how it was when you were a kid.

Ah, the childhood days were the best days of my life. I am getting nostalgic feelings of my childhood says. Those were the days.

We were so careless and so proud of ourselves. I thought that I am invisible and my mother is the most intelligent of all beings and I am the center of the universe and when I do not look at things, they cease to exist!! I know how silly I was when I was a kid. I even thought the sun and the moon follows me wherever I go.

And such crazy ideas we had. I live near a river and my parents would always tell me not to swim in the river. Ofcouse I did. And such fun it was. It is a medium current river but still for a child it is too much if we go too far . I would write and write but I don't think it would really help the discussion if I do.

I think we survived because there is always someone looking after us. It cannot always chance that when I was about to drown, I was suddenly sweep by the currents and I found a footing!

and whatever happened to bullying?
it used to be wedgies, now saying "SHUT UP!" is considered bullying

Hope I do not sound stupid in saying this...but I think that it is just the governments way to have a hold on us and for the manufacturers to make a profit. Okay, so the safety board came up with the fact that if you wear a seat belt you are more likely to survive the crash. But dont you think it still should be my choice whether I wear one or not...its not in my state it is the law and I could get ticketed for not wearing one....is it the safety board trying to save my life or is it the goverment (city/state) just looking to get some extra money for the city. I have those red light cameras in my town, the mayor states that it is to make the intersections more safe. but when they first came up with the idea it was to make money for the city. We survived because our parents took care of us and like you said made us tougher kids....

How right you are, I never wore a bicycle helmet or any other protective gear. I never wore a seat belt, however which ever sibling that was under 2 my mom would always put them in a car seat, don't know why she didn't make us wear seat belts. I don't remember any kids growing up that were killed in a car accident, or severly injured from riding a bicycle. We also were told to always ride against the traffic so that we could see what was happening in front of us, now kids are suppose to ride with the traffic. I don't agree with that.

Now my car won't start unless all are buckled in. No riding of bicycles without helmets, skate boarding must where helmet and wrist guards. My children have had their share of skinned knees and elbows from not wearing the pads, but I think that skinned up knees and elbows are a part of growing up.

As for playing outside till dark in the vacant field by my house, my kids won't and never will be allowed to do that. Times change some for the good and some not. Good luck here at mylot!

Your right, it was a different world back then. I wish the kids today could experience what we had. And what about the thing we didn't have - like a computer. Imagine that, flipping pages through a book rather than a mouse under your hand, Hahaha

Yep I totally agree with you...

I learned to drive on my dad's lap lol....We had a big ol 73 Chrysler and we'd pile up in the back seat with the dogs and no one was wearing seatbelts.

Not only we didn't have any protective gear when riding our bikes,we were building launch ramps lolllll

As a kid I stuck my share of forks and spoons in electrical outlets too lol,no protective lids there

When did safety become such a big market anyway???