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Posted on 09/22/2025 3:59:37 AM PDT by CIB-173RDABN
Now that I’m retired, with more time behind me than ahead, I find myself looking back a lot more than forward. I’ve been reflecting on the changes I’ve seen — not just in the world at large, but right here at home, in the way families like mine spend time together.
When I was young, family fun meant something simple. Back in the 1950s, when money was tight for most folks, we didn’t need expensive outings to enjoy ourselves. A picnic at the park, a day at the beach, just a walk around the block, or a Sunday drive in the country were enough to make a weekend special. Gas was cheap, and the family would pile into the car, not knowing what we’d find around the next curve. The kids would play outside until the streetlights came on, and those spontaneous moments often became the best memories.
Little league games weren’t big productions. The gear was basic, and everyone helped out. Families gathered on the sidelines, sharing hot dogs and cheering each other on. It was easy to be active, to be social, and to be together — all without breaking the bank.
But things have changed.
These days, much of the “fun” seems to happen indoors, in front of screens — streaming shows, gaming, or watching videos online. It’s convenient, sure, and I get why it’s popular. But sometimes I can’t help but miss the noise, the movement, and the faces of real people.
Going out these days isn’t as simple as it once was. Ticket prices, gas, food, and parking all seem to keep climbing. Even youth sports, which once brought communities together, have become costly commitments. Families now face expensive equipment, travel fees, club dues — things we never thought twice about back then.
I wonder, what have we lost along the way?
I don’t often see children playing outside in the neighborhood anymore. Back when I was young, the streets were full of kids on their way to and from school, and even more were out playing until dark. Now, it feels like those sounds have faded. Instead, I often see them heading inside, where they’re playing games on their phones or watching screens.
I don’t know if those days are gone for good. But I do wonder if we can find ways to bring that kind of fun back — affordable, simple, and together.
What family traditions or simple pleasures do you remember from your younger days? Do you think there’s room to revive those moments today, even with the changes we face?
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Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
The real possibility of being caught in the middle of an Antifa "Mostly Peaceful" Riot and Arson Conflagration.
Wouldn’t it be nice to take the family flying car out for a Sunday drive?
Certainly Disney is not a destination any more.
Going out is expensive.
Wow... that’s so cool... you’ve got one of those things?
Remember those good old days in USA towns when churches (and people) didn’t need to lock their doors at night?
Going out for family fun meant I had to hang out with my sisters.
Adults, who have to plan the fun, are fully engaged in other activities. My low-end renters are consumed with work, playing with social media and worry about complicated finances that were never an issue in the fifties. Dinner is something from the microwave that each person takes to his corner and eats while glued to his social media or a TV. The kids are not as engaged with the family as we were and that seems universal. I’ve seen studies that correlate low birth rates with the number of social media consumed. If you don’t get used to dealing with people face to face, then it’s less likely you’ll experience the “connection” necessary to have children.
Remember getting the grass cut in the summer so my father would not have to do it so we could go the Laurel Mountain State Park and go swimming.
Also remember when all the kids in the neighborhood would get together and play softball or go to the elementary school and ride our bikes till dusk.
My friends and I built forts out of pieces of scrap wood and nails taken from houses being built nearby. We built one that could be moved onto its side as a kind of alternate floor plan. Another one was built on the neighbor’s property across the street and we kicked out the kid who lived there. He told his dad about it and within a week he told us that if we didn’t tear it down, he would. So we just left it there and moved on to yet another location!
I remember those days and people did not appreciate stay at home moms because they were everywhere and treated like like they weren't important. All accolades where on the breadwinner. Women were openly discriminated against at universities and employment. There was a reason something as destructive as the feminist movement had such immediate influence.
Life’s what you make it. I’ve been to the grandkids soccer games, lacrosse games and HS football games to see the granddaughter in band. We do family BBQs and get together every big holiday even hunting with the grandson and son in law including car shows, fishing etc.
The kids and grandkids want to come here and do cook out every once in awhile.
Nothing that expensive. We live in a very conservative rural America where life is good. Like I said, life is what you make it.
Things sure are different. I grew up in the 1980’s when the economy was riding high and people were snorting cocaine off of very expensive hookers. Now, people are having trouble paying their inflated this and that. Also let’s factor in the millions upon millions of illegals that drive up the price of everything, and then there is the crime that comes from them so it’s not as safe to go out to a mall these days if your malll is even open.
When I was growing up, we would go to the lake and swim and picnic all day long. You can still do that, but nobody wants to swim in most lake water anymore, with all the warnings to keep it out of your ears, nose, mouth and eyes.
We would also take trips into the mountains and stop along the way in the park areas and have a picnic. Still a favorite for our families today.
We would also take trips to go fishing along streams and creeks. Our families still do that too. Although we all have to purchase fishing licenses.
We used to go to the movies together, but new good movies are nearly non-existent now.
Two of my sons played sports and, because they were both very talented, it was very expensive with all the traveling, fees, equipment, time, etc.
When I was growing up, we would go to the lake and swim and picnic all day long. You can still do that, but nobody wants to swim in most lake water anymore, with all the warnings to keep it out of your ears, nose, mouth and eyes.
We would also take trips into the mountains and stop along the way in the park areas and have a picnic. Still a favorite for our families today.
We would also take trips to go fishing along streams and creeks. Our families still do that too. Although we all have to purchase fishing licenses.
We used to go to the movies together, but new good movies are nearly non-existent now.
Two of my sons played sports and, because they were both very talented, it was very expensive with all the traveling, fees, equipment, time, etc.
When I was growing up, we would go to the lake and swim and picnic all day long. You can still do that, but nobody wants to swim in most lake water anymore, with all the warnings to keep it out of your ears, nose, mouth and eyes.
We would also take trips into the mountains and stop along the way in the park areas and have a picnic. Still a favorite for our families today.
We would also take trips to go fishing along streams and creeks. Our families still do that too. Although we all have to purchase fishing licenses.
We used to go to the movies together, but new good movies are nearly non-existent now.
Two of my sons played sports and, because they were both very talented, it was very expensive with all the traveling, fees, equipment, time, etc.
My friends and I built forts out of pieces of scrap wood and nails taken from houses being built nearby.
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I remember building a “tree house” in the wood near our home. Finding wood of all sorts, old nails, many having to be straighten out. A wooded “ladder” to get to the house. It is a wonder we didn’t all die without OHSA approved building technique. Life was dangerous back then, all fun and games until someone got hurt. I think every kid that grew up in the 1950s has at least one scar and a scary story to go with it.
Excellent reasons. I’ll add - an encounter with the violent side of society.
We used to play cowboys and Indians…but that is now cultural approbation.
We used to play Army, but now guns are violent…even the pieces of wood we used to use.
Political correctness, woke standards and the NEA/AFT have brainwashed at least two if not three generations of youth to be either ashamed of themselves or perpetual victims.
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