OT: Pausing the Internet

[dfrecore]

When I think back, my parents used to leave me home alone from ages 5-8 for about 12-14 hours a day. At the time where we live this was socially acceptable. It taught me how to be independent from an early age, eliminated the fear of being an entrepreneur as an adult, and taught me the joy of peace and quiet. However, the times have changed, and I think parents have to be so much more involved with their children today. Not to mention a more violent society.

I don't think times have changed that much - I'm older than you I think - 45 - and my parents did NOT leave me alone for more than 2 hours a day until I was in high school. They were extremely involved in my childhood, my dad went on every field trip I ever took all the way until I graduated high school, including overnight trips in 4th-6th grade where he was with a group of boys even though his daughter was in another cabin. He was my baseball coach. My parents came to every softball game, every track meet, every back-to-school night of my whole life. I just think families are different, some are more involved with their kids, some less. We are on the more side, but mostly because we enjoy it. I honestly LOVE watching my daughter out on the soccer field. My husband LOVES watching our son on the wrestling mat. He loves coaching them both.

And, I don't think it's a more violent society, at least I don't feel like my kids are at risk for violence that I wasn't. Our society is different now, I will grant you that. But, when I was a kid, it was different than when my parents were kids too, so I'm ok with change (some is good, some is bad).

Just a different perspective.