Walking away is not an option... dialogue must prevail.

"A good listener tries to understand what the other person is saying. In the end he may disagree sharply, but because he disagrees, he wants to know exactly what it is he is disagreeing with."
- Kenneth A. Wells

"I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace."
- Helen Keller

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want." (Calvin and Hobbes)

I’m trying to figure out what the summer will be like for Chicklet this year. As a single mom, it’s a challenge keeping her busy, supervised and safe.

Before entering kindergarten, she’d spend her weekdays in daycare. When she started school, we found some activities for her, and Mom covered the rest. Chicklet spent a good deal of time with my mother and she used to love running errands with her (which almost always included visiting the dollar store at the mall).

Finding ways to keep kids busy wasn’t a problem when I was a kid. I’d run out the door in the morning to go play and I’d come home for lunch… which usually consisted of a bowl of soup and a sandwich while sitting in front of the TV watching The Flintstones.

After lunch, I’d run back out and play until it was time for dinner. Afterwards, I’d go back out again and the signal to come home was when the street lights came on…

We lived outside hunting butterflies, making believe we were princesses, playing in the park and competing to see who could swing the highest and jump off the swing and land the furthest…

Now, I’m looking into sleep-away camps and day camps…

I had a great time going to sleep-away camp… shooting arrows… canoeing… swimming… poison ivy… wait, no… that was Joe Spivy. The camp I went to as a kid is still running… hmmmmm


'Being a child at home alone in the summer is a high-risk occupation. If you call your mother at work thirteen times an hour, she can hurt you.'
--Erma Bombeck

17 comments:

CrystalChick said...

Things did seem easier back then. I had 2 girlfriends on my block and we'd go from one house to another playing in our pools or sitting on the front step talking, or going around the block to the park. Both of their Moms could whistle LOUD so if they had to go home it we knew it right away.
T.V. was good then too! Flintstones rocked, Munsters... Gilligan...Addams Family...
Scooby Doo!!

I'm sure you'll find the best ways to keep you lovely little girl busy and safe this summer!

Bud Weiser, WTIT said...

There are none I respect more than single moms. I am sure you are well appreciated! And where's that pic? :)

Charles Gramlich said...

I never really bugged my parents when I was growing up. Living on a farm I was like you, outside most of the day, and if I was inside I was reading.

Anndi said...

crystalchick: But we still had it hard, walking to school uphill both ways in snow up to our armpits (in October) ;)
Between my vacation time, her Dad's, summer camp and a day camp I think we may have her covered...

My daughter looks at me like I'm a seer when I tell her what's going to happen next on The Flintstones LOL

Bud: SMOOCH sweetie! Thank you! Oh, and um... I'm still waxing LOL

Anndi said...

Charles: I was lucky Mom was a stay at home Mom for the most part, and the world really was a much simpler and safer place.

Unknown said...

Send her Down South! Bethany would love a little friend!

Lu' said...

I don't know how parents do it. It is a dangerous world for grown ups and even more so for children, because of grown ups. If I had a child I fear I'd smother with precaution... Here's hoping all your choices are the right ones and your chicklet never comes to harm.

buffalodick said...

"When the street lights came on".. We had a five minute window to get home once they came on... memories..

Akelamalu said...

We used to spend all our time outside too. It's a sad fact but it's not safe for our kids to do that anymore is it? :(

Jeff B said...

How I wish I could feel secure letting the boys stay out like I did as a kid. It makes me shudder to think what it will be like for their children. (sigh)

Anndi said...

Dana: She'd love that!!!

'lu: Thank you dear... We've done ok so far, it's just a challenge finding interesting things.

Buff: And God help you if your mother or father had to come find you...

Akelamu: If they were in an enclosed fenced yard with sentinels... it is sad.

Jeff: We are far too young to be thinking about when we will become gradparents! I don't like her being in the yard by herself...

Unknown said...

I’d forgotten how much times have changed. My days as a kid were spent much like yours, except during the summers I’d often be visiting aunts and uncles. Today when I’m outside I don’t see many kids playing. Are they indoors playing video games or watching TV? I don’t know.

Camp sounds like a great idea. From the time I was 8 until I was 15 I spent at least a week each summer at a camp. It was fun and I always made new friends.

Ron said...

Just came over for a visit from your other blog to thank you for visiting mine today!

Hey...I really like the look of your template!

I had to laugh at your, "What you should know before you read this blog" Also, being a Libra I feel this same way.

(at least we're HONEST about it)

Oooooh, the DOLLAR STORE...can I go too...I'm literally an addict!

Thanks again for your visit, Anndi...I'll be back!

Liz Hill said...

We grew up outside--there wasn't anyplace we wanted to be except on the horses or taking care of them. it was awesome.

Anndi said...

Nick: I think parents today just worry a lot about our kids being out there in a world that is so different than what it used to be.

I spent a lot of time visiting family too, especially my youngest cousin. And camp was a wonderful place to go, I hated the day my folks would come get me... no canoeing and campfires when I was home.

Ron: I'm glad you came over sweetie, you're too much fun!
Thanks, I like the peaceful feeling of this template too.

A fellow Lib, how could I not think you're brilliant! And yes, we are honest about how we are!

Dollar stores are a good place to kill time.

Thanks for the wonderful comment, and I'll be over to visit real soon.

Turnbaby: I'm sure Chicklet would love spending time with horses too.. maybe a week on a horse farm... that's an idea!
SMOOCH

amynoroom said...

Anndi, I love the look of your new blog!!!!!!

Meribah said...

I love Calvin and Hobbes! Woooo!

Yes, life was different "back then." We didn't have cellphones or computers or 500+ TV channels and we didn't need them. We could keep ourselves amused simply with the power of our imaginations. Aw, memories! :)