What did you want when you were a child?

[Twigaletta]

Inspired by an article I read about a benevolent boss giving every employee their childhood dream. What did you dream of owning/having as a child?

Mine would have been a swimming pool. There were neighbours whose pool I could see from my bedroom window and I was always envious of them having fun in it. We were NEVER invited to play in it. I still want a garden big enough to get one of those solid sided above ground pools with steps, filter, cover, chemicals etc. I bet it would be an absolute expensive pain in the bum. But for one glorious summer I would love it! What was your childhood fantasy item?

1. A sibling
2. For my mum not to work Christmas Eve every single year
3. For my mum not to work nights and to work less in general
4. A holiday abroad
5. A clean presentable house
6. Time spent together as a family
7. To never have had to witness my father attempting to strangle my mother

Essentially not to feel so lonely and not to feel so different to all the other children

I also wanted a dog, which we got, but the poor thing basically died of neglect

a Girls' World like my friend had

my own record player like my friend had

a cabin bed like my friend's sister had (I had bunk beds, which I appreciated, but it was Not The Same

a swimming pool (one of the houses on the Posh Road hosted the Pins & Needles group's summer fair, and offered access to their outdoor pool. About a month ago I found that house on RightMove...)

a treehouse (we had a couple of places that had a small space between trees/hedges, which was almost as good)

my own little house

a baby...

I wanted those patent shoes which came in black or wine red, with a strap which either went over your foot as a Mary Jane style OR SWIVELLED back to sit behind the heel so your shoes were now slip-ons.

Oh the envy & agony of never having a pair...

I dreamt of having a horse. My parents never bought one for me as they were far too sensible with money. However, 10 months after starting my first job I'd saved enough to finally get my dream horse!

You don’t want a swimming pool. The upkeep is unreal. Faffing about with filters, chemicals and here in France you must have a cover for them. If someone breaks into your home and drowns in your pool you’re legally liable if it wasn’t covered.

Another Mr. Frosty wanted here! I asked for one every year but for whatever reason never got one. I did hear they were crap so probably dodged a bullet

A horse

@norbert23, @Spaceman101 - I got an A La Carte Kitchen and it was the BIGGEST disappointment. It turned out you couldn't cook beans on it at all. It was all pretend.

If I'd known what false advertising (or the Advertising Standards Agency) was when I was 6, I would have been making serious complaints.

I'm still cross about it now.

I wanted fashionable clothes. Looking back I actually needed attention. It's caused a few problems as I grew up! But I still love new clothes as I never really had them as a kid

To be allowed to stay up to watch Dallas and Dynasty like my classmates did.

Also to go to church ( which caused all sorts of hassle).

A Mr Frosty.

I also really wanted to go on Funhouse!

I didnt have any fantasy item... but as a child I was obsessed with having lots of money. I'd save coins, steal from my parents and deposited in the bank regularly. I aspired to be Uncle Scrooge from ducktales (jumping into a vault full of gold coins for my daily swim)

I also wished I had rich parents... (even though I didnt want to buy anything, just wanted what I didnt have). I think it is because at some level I knew my parents did not love or respect each other and thought it was because they were always struggling with money

I had my bike, gameboy and computer. Never felt like I wanted anything more. Didnt have my own room but never minded. I went swimming in public pool with my best friend every week. Didnt long for siblings. My older brother was 12 years older so I was somewhat an onlie.

I wanted a pony. We lived in inner London, in a block of flats on a main road, but there was a courtyard with some garages, and I thought one of them could provide a stable. I read books where girls won ponies in competitions, why not me?

Mr Frosty
A horse, my parents said no and then got my sister a pony.
No sisters (see above)
To be Emma Peel from the Avengers 😁

A dog, I was desperate for a dog. I had to make do with my imaginary goldie, 'Sally'.

And I was the only child in England not to be allowed a tamagotchi. I would have picked a 101 dalmatians one. Never quite forgiven my mum for that.

On a milder level I would have loved a proper wooden toy kitchen. I had a little plastic stove top and a plastic sink (which was quite cool because it really pumped water out of the tap!) but not the same as a whole kitchen.

I also would have liked a slip n slide, and a zip wire for the garden.

To be fair, I was very fortunate to have all I did. Absolute mountains of toys with real play value, and all the books I could want, a huge garden with play equipment and a huge playroom, plus time and attention from my mum and siblings to play with. I do appreciate how lucky I really was!

A white broderie anglaise dress with a full skirt and a blue satin sash - there was a whole rail of them in the posh shop where DM had taken me for my annual Whitsuntide dress. I longed for one.

DM refused and bought me something plain and tailored instead, as the lovely dress I wanted was for “pretty-pretty girls” and wouldn’t suit me

This still rankles more than fifty years on!

I remember being desperate for a Paddington bear. My best friend had one & I loved the shiny wellies, the hat & the little suitcase. Years later I did actually get one but the wellies were red, not yellow, and I was an adult so it didn’t have the same impact sadly.

A Mr Frosty!

I am seriously wondering if anyone actually owned one 😂

Mr Frosty he’s such fun
He makes treats for everyone
Pop the ice under his hat
Turn the handle just like that
Put in a flavour that you like

I am in my 30s and still remember the advert

@SerielNChanger Hope you are happier now

Mr fucking Frosty

Oh yeah, I also desperately NEEDED black patent ankle boots. My mum refused to buy patent because she hadn't been allowed to wear them as a child as they apparently give a reflection of your knickers if you wear a skirt. I never got ankle boots of any kind though. Gutted.

"I dreamt of having a toy post office. I literally asked for one every Christmas for years. I have no idea why I never got one. It definitely wasn't a whim - I regularly made my own out of cardboard boxes and such.
A few years after meeting DH, we were at his parents and they had been up to the attic sorting out old children's toys. Turns out he HAD A POST OFFICE. I actually burst into tears at the sight of it!

Ah I had one of these and absolutely loved it! (Sorry, not meaning to rub it in)

God knows why I loved it so much, endlessly pretending to sell an imaginary person a dog licence..."

I am actually weeping with laughter at the image of you selling an 'imaginary person a dog license'.

I can 100% identify. I would have done that if I'd had a Post Office!

A girls world
Soda stream
Swimming pool, we lived in a terrace house with a long yard and I genuinely couldn’t understand why we couldn’t get one

I would have liked a soda stream.

No my dh actually brought a tamden but I turned white at the thought of being on the roads I’ve no sense of balance, wanted a tv I. My bedroom and a huge ghetto blaster, today I have both and love them.

I'm another one that desperately wanted a Mr Frosty!

Do they still exist? If so I'm buying myself one. Ahem, I mean buying my kids one.