I to have fond memories as a kid.  In the summertime I was either at sleep away camp or at the pool.  It was filled with campfires, marshmellows, swimming and friends.  I hope to make my boys summers filled with as many memories as mine were.  It seems that it was a simpler time though.  Do you find that?

 

If not safer. I ran around for hours, all over the neighborhood. In trees, eating wild blackberries, making mud pies and forts behind the houses where no one could find us. And they couldn't! We rehearsed plays for hours and then invited all the neighbors. Went door to door to complete strangers' houses giving them "tickets". I think one person came, and my mom. We went out in the morning, came back for lunch then went out again until dinner, and then until almost dark. Each family in the neighborhood had a different whistle code, when your whistle blew it was time to go home. My mom would try to get me into classes, but I just wanted to play with my friends or by myself. I had too much freedom. For better or worse, my daughter will never experience that!

My boys want to camp in our backyard.  Years ago no one would of thought about anything happening.  But now, no way!  I am scared that being out there alone, someone would take them.  Times really have changed.  And frankly, my husband and I thought about sleeping out there with them to make sure nothing would happen, but we aren't sure something won't happen to us.  And we live in a nice suburb in New Jersey.

We would camp in our backyard when we were kids and it was great fun. I understand your concerns about letting your kids camp out, it's just not the same world anymore.

How about a local campground, that might be just as fun for the kids?We have KOA campgrounds within 30 minutes of San Diego, do you have anything like that in New Jersey? It might be a little more work for you and it might cost a few bucks but it would be something they would remember for a very long time.

You are right about it being a different world.  There are camp grounds around, except I know my kids.  The thought of camping is better than the actual thing.  We still might try the backyard to see if they can sleep on the ground and see how they are.  San Diego is a great place.  My husband was out  there for business a few weeks ago.  He really liked it.  I think we may take our boys out there one day to dirt bike.  They are really enamored with it.  Are there any good trails you recommend?

Life did seem a lot simpler when I was a kid and I'm now 42.  I don't  know if the same threats existed, but no one spoke about it or if the times are a changing.  I used to walk to the candy store with my sister alone and it was well over a mile away from my house. Today, I would never allow my kids to do that.  It's ashame.

But I am trying to teach them about all the goofy stuff we did as kids like catching fire flys and enjoying the simpler things in life.  Isn't that what childhood should be about? 

I remember if I didn't come home the dirtiest kid on the block I didn't have fun. Horses, dogs and building forts. We got up early and went to bed late. It didn't hurt that we had an acre of land to plant, dig, ride and play make believe all we wanted. I have tried to provide this for my children as they grew up. Very seldom did I hear "I bored".

I always ask my kids if they are having a good summer.  I want them to enjoy life and have a carefree time doing what kids are supposed to do-have fun.  I look at them and realize how quickly it all flies by.  Too bad youth is wasted on the young.

There seems to be more dangers in "Modern" times but there are also better solutions now adays.  You can not keep your kids from living life because you or they are scared.  Today, kids are connected with cell phones and you can buy mace or stun guns and there is very few places left without alot of people around.

Children need to be aware of the risk but I don't think that they are in any more danger now then they were at anytime in history.  Use the newsreports as a learning tool to explane that something could happen to them when you are not around and talk to them about how to handle the situation.