Comments on: Bearfoot Guides http://susanstevenson.com/blog/2010/06/bearfoot-guides/ The thoughts and photography of Susan L Stevenson Fri, 18 May 2012 01:41:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Susan Stevenson http://susanstevenson.com/blog/2010/06/bearfoot-guides/#comment-5182 Susan Stevenson Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:41:35 +0000 http://susanstevenson.com/blog/?p=216#comment-5182 Even when I had my kids (31 years ago for Chris), there was a little more freedom than there is today, but not much. He used to walk to grade school by himself, and I let him. There were crossing guards along the way, and he'd walk with friends. Now, parents drive their kids to school (if they're not bus riders). Where did this fear come from? I played Volleyball in HS and that was enough competition for me. And still.... either you won, or you didn't. If you lost, there was no 'consolation trophy'. You congratulated the other team and hoped to do better the next time. This new information age, with people spending more and more time inside, on computers, watching TV, playing video games... it's taking us out of society and making us loners. I'm glad to be married to someone who likes to get out and explore. I do spend more time than I should on the computer, but not as much as some folks. Still, I need to reduce that. I'm glad my children are grown, but I do worry for Brandon and Becky's child (if they'd EVER give me a g-baby! LOL) Will they be able to make the same memories we made? Will there still be clean beaches and breathable air? National and State Parks? Outdoor activities to enjoy? *sigh* Glad to hear from you Linda. Where will your travels take you next? Even when I had my kids (31 years ago for Chris), there was a little more freedom than there is today, but not much. He used to walk to grade school by himself, and I let him. There were crossing guards along the way, and he’d walk with friends. Now, parents drive their kids to school (if they’re not bus riders). Where did this fear come from?

I played Volleyball in HS and that was enough competition for me. And still…. either you won, or you didn’t. If you lost, there was no ‘consolation trophy’. You congratulated the other team and hoped to do better the next time.

This new information age, with people spending more and more time inside, on computers, watching TV, playing video games… it’s taking us out of society and making us loners. I’m glad to be married to someone who likes to get out and explore. I do spend more time than I should on the computer, but not as much as some folks. Still, I need to reduce that.

I’m glad my children are grown, but I do worry for Brandon and Becky’s child (if they’d EVER give me a g-baby! LOL) Will they be able to make the same memories we made? Will there still be clean beaches and breathable air? National and State Parks? Outdoor activities to enjoy? *sigh*

Glad to hear from you Linda. Where will your travels take you next?

]]> By: Susan Stevenson http://susanstevenson.com/blog/2010/06/bearfoot-guides/#comment-5181 Susan Stevenson Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:35:26 +0000 http://susanstevenson.com/blog/?p=216#comment-5181 Hi Susan! So good to see you here. I read your blog through Google Reader, but haven't seen any updates from you in the longest time. I hope all is well. The last I heard you were on your way to China with another couple adopting a child. Summer is definitely halfway over here, and it's bittersweet, but so beautiful. We're enjoying the summer to the fullest, as always. Memories of the Jersey Shore make me happy and always bring a smile to my face. How blessed we are to have had good childhoods with great memories. Be well! Susan Hi Susan! So good to see you here. I read your blog through Google Reader, but haven’t seen any updates from you in the longest time. I hope all is well. The last I heard you were on your way to China with another couple adopting a child.

Summer is definitely halfway over here, and it’s bittersweet, but so beautiful. We’re enjoying the summer to the fullest, as always.

Memories of the Jersey Shore make me happy and always bring a smile to my face. How blessed we are to have had good childhoods with great memories.

Be well!

Susan

]]> By: Linda Kauffman http://susanstevenson.com/blog/2010/06/bearfoot-guides/#comment-5168 Linda Kauffman Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:32:41 +0000 http://susanstevenson.com/blog/?p=216#comment-5168 Hi Susan, I'm just catching up, but had to comment on how simple life was back when we were kids. Parents really had no fear of abduction, and could let kids roam the neighborhoods freely. I remember when I was about 8, my father drew me a map on how to get to park that was fairly close to where we lived, and the only fear was that I couldn't follow the map. We didn't worry about weirdos in parks. Human nature being what it is, I can't figure out why things were more innocent back then. There must have been people who preyed on young kids, but it didn't seem to be as much of a problem as it is now. I am so grateful that I grew up in the 50's, where childhood was a pleasure and not a constant contest with soccer, baseball, football and things like that to take up time. We didn't need to have things to "keep us out of trouble" like they have today. I really grieve for my grandsons at what they are missing in their lives. Luclily, all five of them live in safe neighborhoods where other parents look out for all the kids, as well as just their own. I enjoyed your thoughts on the past. Raising kids now is a scary thing. Linda Hi Susan,

I’m just catching up, but had to comment on how simple life was back when we were kids. Parents really had no fear of abduction, and could let kids roam the neighborhoods freely. I remember when I was about 8, my father drew me a map on how to get to park that was fairly close to where we lived, and the only fear was that I couldn’t follow the map. We didn’t worry about weirdos in parks.

Human nature being what it is, I can’t figure out why things were more innocent back then. There must have been people who preyed on young kids, but it didn’t seem to be as much of a problem as it is now.

I am so grateful that I grew up in the 50’s, where childhood was a pleasure and not a constant contest with soccer, baseball, football and things like that to take up time. We didn’t need to have things to “keep us out of trouble” like they have today.

I really grieve for my grandsons at what they are missing in their lives. Luclily, all five of them live in safe neighborhoods where other parents look out for all the kids, as well as just their own.

I enjoyed your thoughts on the past. Raising kids now is a scary thing.

Linda

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