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Post by vampiroporvida on Nov 21, 2019 9:58:19 GMT -5
Hello all, I was asking some parents the other day about what their kids do, and mostly it was just electronic games and such. It seems a lot of kids don't enjoy the simple things anymore, or in some cases ala jumpropes, even know what they are. What are some simple things yall still enjoy, or would like to do again, or just to show kids there is more fun things than just screens? I loved swingsets, climbing on trees, kickball, hopscotch, boardgames, and sitting in a chair and listening to music outside and watch the world unfold before me (front porch style/lawn chair sitting). I still love juggling, magic, jumpropes, yoyos, bouncing a ball off the house, and just playing with my dog. I want to slackline, surf, relax in hammocks, paint rocks, skip stones, repair arcades, etch glass, build a cd cabinet, make a new soda, and many many other things, but mainly just be free to be me....goofy.
Sorry for the long post, I had a nostalgia hit. There is a beauty in the simple things that is being lost, but it doesn't have to...
Cheers guys.
VPV
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Post by K5 on Nov 21, 2019 10:04:20 GMT -5
I grew up in a rural area, and there is still a focus on the simple life amongst many in those communities. they have cell phones and Netflix, but their kids don’t own tablets and are only permitted specific hours of internet a day.
sometimes I wonder if while those parents are trying to provide their kids safety from technology taking away joy from normal play, they’re actually creating a new modern Mennonites...kids that are always feral to technology and the intricate ways of the world.
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Post by vampiroporvida on Nov 21, 2019 10:37:33 GMT -5
I grew up in a rural area, and there is still a focus on the simple life amongst many in those communities. they have cell phones and Netflix, but their kids don’t own tablets and are only permitted specific hours of internet a day. sometimes I wonder if while those parents are trying to provide their kids safety from technology taking away joy from normal play, they’re actually creating a new modern Mennonites...kids that are always feral to technology and the intricate ways of the world. That is a valid point. I don't agree with taking stuff away, but just showing kids there is other cool stuff, simple, free things to enjoy too. I mean, I was shocked when I asked a gym teacher if their kids were enjoying jumpropes and he said some had never seen them before. Yet, I see 2 year olds that can work a phone better than me.
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Post by Deep Figure Value on Nov 21, 2019 12:05:17 GMT -5
I have a four year old, and he gets very limited screen time. He typically only gets one to two episodes of one of the three shows he likes a day, and occasionally will get to watch a playlist of videos of songs he likes on YouTube (via our Fire Stick) if we need a little time to cook, clean, etc. uninterrupted. His aunt offered to get him a tablet last year, and we politely declined, because he doesn't need it. The closest thing I see him getting to "electronics" this year is a PJ Masks thinkpad type thing that has alphabet and phonics games to help him with his letters. He's much more content to run around, go to playgrounds, color, "read" books (he's memorized his favorites) and engage in pretend play with his toys, and I think it makes him kinder for it, as he doesn't have this ravenous attachment to distractive "toys" that require minimal engagement, and would generally rather seek out cooperative play with us or other kids.
Conversely, my cousin's two kids (5 and 7) are addicted to this sh*t. They've both had tablets and such for over 2 years, and I think this Christmas they're slated to get their fourth or fifth gaming console in as many years. They don't go anywhere without some sort of screen to occupy them, and I don't think I'm speaking out of turn when I say that they're complete monsters.
People who think that screens and electronics aren't destroying kids are either nuts or blissfully unaware of the challenges of raising children.
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Post by Grumpyoldman on Nov 21, 2019 13:38:47 GMT -5
Going into the woods & turning over rocks, fallen trees or boards looking for salamanders, snakes or mice.
Popping tar bubbles that formed on the street & hoping you found one with water in it. Then drinking the water.
Riding a wagon down the street at full speed. With the only protective gear of a sweatshirt, work gloves & an old football helmet.
Running through a sprinkler.
Burning things with a magnifying glass.
Catching lightning bugs.
Spending quite a bit of time cleaning up a vacant lot, finally getting to use it for kickball or football.
I'll try to post more when I think of them.
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Post by Stuart? on Nov 22, 2019 6:36:16 GMT -5
I was born in 1998 so while all the electronic stuff started getting popular with my generation in the 2000's, we weren't (at least my friends and I weren't) completely obsessed with it. Sure, we all had PlayStations but the time we spent on them was minimal, maybe an hour or so a day. Back then we either went outside to play or stayed inside when the weather was bad and played with all sorts of toys. Once we reached around 10, that's when technology really started coming in full force for us and that really led to the detriment of those friendships with the kids on my street. Rather than all hanging out together, everyone would stay in their own house and not really communicate unless it was over Xbox Live or something. It's been years since I've spoken to them now but I miss the simplicity of going to your friend's house, knocking the door and asking if they could come out to play.
I'm 21 now and I can see myself having kids some time in the next 10 or so years. When that time comes, I won't be one of those parents who gives the kid a tablet to shut them up. My cousins are 7 and have been brought up that way and they're incredibly spoiled by their parents. I want my kids to experience those same simple things you mentioned and that I enjoyed so much growing up.
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Post by Back to the Codyverse on Nov 22, 2019 8:50:16 GMT -5
All I can think about is the older people I’ve heard over the years complain about phones and tech being the ones I see on facebook the most filling up people’s feeds with utter nonsense.
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Post by Grumpyoldman on Nov 22, 2019 16:18:09 GMT -5
Getting the Sears Christmas Wishbook & spending hours going through it & circling the things you wanted.
Writing out a Christmas list & waiting in line (what seemed forever) to give it to Santa.
Making the first path down a snowy hill with your sled.
Launching a kite in the air & letting nearly all of the string out, guessing how far up it is.
Riding your bike into town on Saturday, spending hours in the library, park, town pool or shop.
Cramming your arm down a new box of breakfast cereal, feeling for the prize inside.
The thrill of finally getting that item in the mail that you sent away for ages ago.
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Post by vampiroporvida on Nov 22, 2019 17:41:22 GMT -5
Man it is nice to feel not alone in these feelings. Cheers guys. Grumpyoldman I think I waited 3 months for a mail away mortal kombat necklace from a vhs promo, and I swear it was like christmas when it showed.
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Post by Valbroski on Nov 22, 2019 18:48:23 GMT -5
Riding my bike, skateboarding and playing manhunt with other kids in the neighborhood.
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Post by figurecollector on Nov 22, 2019 20:11:06 GMT -5
Taking a walk in the woods, off the trail and pretending you are the first one ever to walk there.
Being the first one to walk on the fresh, crunchy snow that fell the night before.
Throwing a rubber ball against a brick school wall imagining that it is the final game of the World Series and you are the pitcher.
Soaking in the sun sitting in a lawn chair in your backyard and feeling the warmth.
Climbing a tree and just looking around the neighborhood hoping you can surprise someone going by.
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Post by Kill Em' All on Nov 23, 2019 0:10:49 GMT -5
My love as kid was wrestling. I was really anti social and didn't get out much around other kids. I was bullied, so I had like one close friend. But, all we would do is wrestle on old mattress. We'd fly off bunk beds, create hardcore matches. We'd play with the figures. We'd bust some video games out some times. I really only used tech to further my imagination as a kid. I didn't really break away until I was about 14; when I started obtaining social life. In those times we'd go play football or walk around for the hell of it.
I do think with Tech, kids can benefit with lots of complex thinking at much younger age. I was able to learn a lot about politics, social studies, and rationalizing on my own.
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WreckerJack
Superstar
Joined on: Jan 8, 2016 2:49:31 GMT -5
Posts: 550
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Post by WreckerJack on Nov 30, 2019 20:54:29 GMT -5
Professional yoyo is a thing. It's pretty cool actually.
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Post by vampiroporvida on Nov 30, 2019 21:28:21 GMT -5
Professional yoyo is a thing. It's pretty cool actually. Oh yes, I love it. I have been yoing for a couple years...many different styles. Some of it gets extremely complex. Ever seen the offstring oversized yo called diablo?
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Post by kennyw86v2 on Dec 4, 2019 20:43:42 GMT -5
All I can think about is the older people I’ve heard over the years complain about phones and tech being the ones I see on facebook the most filling up people’s feeds with utter nonsense. Constantly posting pics that show half their faces and telling half stories that make no sense to anyone.
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Post by Back to the Codyverse on Dec 4, 2019 21:05:51 GMT -5
All I can think about is the older people I’ve heard over the years complain about phones and tech being the ones I see on facebook the most filling up people’s feeds with utter nonsense. Constantly posting pics that show half their faces and telling half stories that make no sense to anyone. Along with completely untrue political posts and “back in my day” posts
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Post by kennyw86v2 on Dec 4, 2019 22:48:23 GMT -5
Constantly posting pics that show half their faces and telling half stories that make no sense to anyone. Along with completely untrue political posts and “back in my day” posts Or missing kids from 6 years ago, I get that one a lot
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Post by rowdy1971 on Dec 5, 2019 16:24:30 GMT -5
Going into the woods & turning over rocks, fallen trees or boards looking for salamanders, snakes or mice. Popping tar bubbles that formed on the street & hoping you found one with water in it. Then drinking the water. Riding a wagon down the street at full speed. With the only protective gear of a sweatshirt, work gloves & an old football helmet. Running through a sprinkler. Burning things with a magnifying glass. Catching lightning bugs. Spending quite a bit of time cleaning up a vacant lot, finally getting to use it for kickball or football. I'll try to post more when I think of them. I agree with it all BUT the tar water! LOL I never did that.
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Post by Grumpyoldman on Dec 6, 2019 16:10:26 GMT -5
Going into the woods & turning over rocks, fallen trees or boards looking for salamanders, snakes or mice. Popping tar bubbles that formed on the street & hoping you found one with water in it. Then drinking the water. Riding a wagon down the street at full speed. With the only protective gear of a sweatshirt, work gloves & an old football helmet. Running through a sprinkler. Burning things with a magnifying glass. Catching lightning bugs. Spending quite a bit of time cleaning up a vacant lot, finally getting to use it for kickball or football. I'll try to post more when I think of them. I agree with it all BUT the tar water! LOL I never did that. I definitely think it's a Northern New Jersey thing!👍
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Post by rowdy1971 on Dec 6, 2019 17:16:46 GMT -5
I agree with it all BUT the tar water! LOL I never did that. I definitely think it's a Northern New Jersey thing!👍 Now did it taste like hose water or just like rain water? lol I kinda wanna look for tar bubbles now.
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