Did you have a happy childhood?

United States
May 21, 2009 9:12am CST
I did. There were some things about it that I am glad that I do not have to pass along to my own children, but all in all it was a good one. I had both of my parents, my mom stayed at home and took care of me, my brother and sister. We always lived within walking distance of our schools, so we were able to be involved in a lot of activities. I always felt loved and safe....and that is the most important aspect of it. My own children do not have the benefit of some of the things that I had. I was a single mother for their young years, so I had to work and try to take care of them. When my husband and I first got together we had some financial troubles, so my kids didn't get to do a lot of the things I wanted them to--going to movies, amusement parks, etc. Things are certainly better now, and I make sure I tell them how much I love them. I hope they can look back on their childhood and say that it was a happy one. So did you have a happy childhood? Are you able to (or going to try to) provide the same happy childhood for your kids?
1 person likes this
19 responses
@arcidy (5005)
• United States
21 May 09
Yeah I must say my childhood was pretty good if I must say so at least it was a lot better then my aduly hood wich hasnt been that good. I wish I was a kid again where I didnt have to worry about women money or jobs now that was a good time for me and boy I wish I could go back there lol.
1 person likes this
@jayrene (2708)
• Philippines
21 May 09
yes i could say i have a happy childhood even though there were some regrets... i have a broken family, my mom was the one who took care of us, fed us, worked for us. she left us with our grandmother for more than a year to work somewhere else... me and my sisters have to walk to school, it was very far, but we were able to finish 2 years of schooling, then my mother took us to be with her. i can remember all the hardships we've had, but there are lots of happy memories, because we always laugh and have fun with almost anything... i remembered playing a lot, no dont do this and dont do that, not much restrictions. we dont have that much while growing up, we dont have toys that are bought, but we made it up with whatever we can find and used it. now that i am a mom, i made sure i bought my kids toys, and i let them play outside, i let them play in the rain... i let experience how kids should be. i have neighbors here who dont let their kids play outside, they just stayed indoors, and i pity those kids because they never really enjoyed their childhood. as much as possible i want my kids to experience what it is to be kids... there is time for study but there are plenty of times to play. and just be kids.
@Scarrlet (168)
• Ukraine
22 May 09
I didn't have a happy childhood...so sad about that right now. My family usually had financial troubles, so we couldn't afford lots of things. As my elder brother was to receive higher education, my parents had to give him most of their earnings in order to pay for his education. My father has been drinking hardly as long as i remember him. So it depressed me greatly. For now it seems like a nightmare to me. I actually didn't feel like i had a father at all, and my elder brother was more like a father to me. Now i am very greatful to my brother because he started helping my family a lot as soon as he settled his own life.
• Indonesia
22 May 09
yep-yep i did. i even wish i could have it again one day lol.l i was a very tomboy girl back there, didn't think of love or anything else than just playing with my friends. mom n dad was always be there for me too, guide me to whatever i like but let me decided it myself so that i can learn to be a wise girl. i remember we're gone on vacation at least once in a month, and every sunday we went for swimming together 6 of us, mom is a very great cook, she always cooked us a delicious and healthy foods. sunday was our special days, coz mom cooked differently that day. dad used to lift me up coz i loved to fell asleep inside the car lmao. he then put me to on my bed every night. i woke up happily each morning, having breakfast n coffee ( i'm a coffeeholic since i was very young lol). in the daylight, i went to play with my friends til mom was looking for me before it was too late. not just that, the games me n friends were playing was like an adventures. a different games every weeks, always invented a new way to play just so we won't get bored lol and many things more though.. it wasn't always beautiful, there was a fights too with my sisters, but that's how life is right ? we got even closer coz of the fights so it was a good positive fights lol.. oh how a wonderful days back there lol i wish i can reply it again now nice topic luvbrown13s
• Philippines
22 May 09
Yes, I have a happy childhood eventhough I don't have a father. Same with you, my mom is my father and mother. She took care of me and my brothers. She worked and earned money for us. I was still happy eventhough she couldn't give us new clothes during Christmas and big allowance in going to school. Because I understand her so much. I never experienced having new dress during our recognition day in school. We always borrowed from my cousins. But I'm proud, because of the hardwork of my mom, we were able to finished college and have a better living now. I really my admire my mom. Now, I'm a mother too, I always share my childhood experiences to my kid.
@kath_b (116)
• Philippines
22 May 09
I cannot really recall much about it. But maybe i did have or i dont know. I dont have that much idea about it actually since we were really young right? but at some part i knew that i didnt have everything and when i couldnt get something that i want i just leave it be. i didnt cry to nag to my parents that i really want something (toys usually) but i know they couldnt provide because money was for our household and business most of the time.But still i bank on the happy memories and the friends i gained eversince.
• Mexico
22 May 09
Well,i dont have happy childhood.Still i dont have a happy life.I am trying to do better and get out from this hell.THen i will be happy.Until no happiness like that.
@piya84 (2581)
• India
22 May 09
I had a great childhood.I had a great friends with whom i still have strong ties.The only thing that was lacking was my fathers love.He was physically abusing to me.There were tensions and up and down in life when i was 9-10 year old.I suffer for 6-7 year abuse.He is no more abusive to me.He is better person today after lot of treatment.I have forgive him but havent forgot it yet.May b after 10 years traces of bitterness will vanish from my mind.Well hope so!!
@coolcoder (2018)
• United States
22 May 09
I loved my childhood. I was blessed to have great parents who taught me right from wrong, and great friends, whom I miss dearly. My one complaint about it was having to move away from all of what I knew and loved, and I pray that if I ever have kids, that they won't have to go through the same upheaval that I went through.
@yuhesky (142)
• China
22 May 09
no ,i haven't a happy children.my parents always fights.so i live in a fear family . i can see other children play with their parents ,but i can't .maybe i can say i live by tear. even now ,my parent often fight , but their old ,i often worry thier health.After all their are my love ,even their take a lot tear for me .i never say anything about the feeling when i was a child .now i m adult.so i only want win a good and happy environment for my baby.
@zzyw87 (1254)
• Philippines
22 May 09
Yes, I had a happy childhood. There were countless fun memories that I will always cherish. Me and my siblings were able to enjoy the good life even when we were still kids. We go to amusement parks, travel to other countries every summer, dine at delicious restaurants, etc. I also remember whenever we wanted something, like a Barbie, we needed to earn it by getting good grades. My parents always rewarded us if we were good kids or had achievements. We also had regular fun playdates with other kids. All in all, my childhood was the best a child can ever have.
• Canada
22 May 09
If it comes to family I had a nice childhood. But when it comes to social it wasn't. I had to deal with many racist people in a small town I lived in. I have a sister thats younger than my by 12 years. She is currently 8 years old now. I am hoping she has a great childhood. Hopefully much better than mine.
@loisvite (47)
• Philippines
22 May 09
As far is happiness is concern, I am. Even though life is hard, financially for us, We are 9 siblings, lol, all we do is play, play. I learned to climbed trees, I'm good at that, swimming, all the street-kind of play..
• Philippines
22 May 09
Well, I could say that yes I have a happy childhood merely because I've got to experience different child thing when I was a child. I played lots of children games, went to different amusement parks, bought toys that I really wanted and had a chance to met different kinds of kids. But my childhood years wasn't that perfect as it should be because there are still lapses in some areas like I never had a chanced to experience a one complete family with mother and father on our side though my beloved grandmother was there during those times still it's not enough for me. Well, I have to accept the fact that life is not perfect an so be it.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
22 May 09
Generally, i could say i have a happy but spoiled childhood. I am like a daddy's girl who always get what i want ( which later on i regret because the price was high when in comes to repaying, the expectations where so high). when i asked for toys, i got it when i asked for a computer i got it... but basically it was a happy life..
@zhdy89 (301)
• China
21 May 09
I do not think I have a happy childhood.In my memory rarely to see my mother.I am at home ranks second,when my mother at home,that is,I most of the time suffer.Grew up after that it was bullied out of her,home in the scattering me.I was doing my part and the punching bag!Fortunately,I have a father,the best in the world,whenever,he had to support me in silence...Eighteen years age I left home alone to go to college from far away,and completely change a person.Now away my parents thousands of miles apart,also to forgive my mother,but the shadow of my childhood always in the depths of my heart.It is precisely because I do not have a happy childhood,I hope my son have a happy childhood,no experience the pain I did.
• China
22 May 09
yes,i really have a happy childhood.my family is very democracy.my parents had never hustled me into learning something except homework.everyday i would finish my homework myself ,then i play peng-pang,swim,climb and so on.nowadays many parents hope child who can be a genius,they plan a lot of intersted course to attend. children haven't time to play.i don't like so ,i can provide my kid a happy childhood.
• India
21 May 09
no..not much but i am little bit satisfied with it..actually i used to be sick and ill all the time..i had faced such a major problems in my childhood that are usually unbelievable for age group..well i was satisfied from my friends corner..they were so caring and concerned about me..i enjoyed full of life with them and its because of them i am proud to feel to have best friend in the world..
@geniustiger (1694)
• Philippines
21 May 09
I have a happy childhhood when I was young. It is different situation to my kids today. I can played so many games last time when I am still a child. It was a great memories that does not experienced to the new one's today.I used to play "shatoo" it is a kind of unique game using a small and longh stick and you make a blow to it to have long fly of the small stick then used the long stick to measure how long is it.