Are we even less adventurous than Topsy and Tim?

[Cherryblossoms85]

So the Topsy and Tim (had to avoid the autocorrect writing Tipsy, whoops) books were written mostly in about 1995. I am constantly being asked to read "Topsy and Tim go camping", and for those of you that haven't had the misfortune, here's a quick recap: they get up before their parents, and go to play in the woods with two older boys. Then they all get lost, but find their way back using the way markers on trees. When they get back to the campsite, mum and dad aren't at all bothered, and just say something like "there you are". These days, that'd practically be a police search with a helicopter, right? Have we lost our way in not allowing kids any freedom? Or is it better safe than adventurous?
YABU - Better safe
YANBU - The lack of freedom is a problem

We have a couple of the old books I had as a child. My daughter particularly likes "Topsy and Tim Take No Risks" which had this bizarre bit in it...

Mary, Mungo and Midge used to live in a block of flats, not sure about T&T

Look at all the adventure the famous five went on they were going across the sea In a boat going after smugglers ! Kids arnt even allowed out to play these days and are mostly riddled with anxiety 😥

Oh yes, that’s the one! - Thanks

Topsy and Tim go Hillwalking! A dog led them back home I think? Their bags turned orange.

Topsy and Tim lived on the new estate next to the woods where they went fishing for sticklebacks.

😂

Uncle Frank defo had Mummy and Dad rolling their eyes a few times I reckon.

Oh I used to love the old Topsy and Tim learn to swim. Even in the 80s it was retro but their municipal pool had the same system of putting your clothes in a basket and giving it to The Lady and then walking through a cold murky trough of disinfectant that we had in our local pool, so it was very relatable.

I had that one @Flev !

@TheYearOfSmallThings I am sure in the old 'Learn to Swim' one they get given giant lollipops for doing well at swimming by the teacher but in the newer version most of the text is the same except they get medals 🍭

I am also a child of the 80s and was explaining to my kids the other day about the TV adverts about don't go off with strangers, don't climb up pylons and don't play on the railway lines. I'm not sure we need to return to those days TBH.

I refuse to read the current learn to swim book as Dad comes with them and then goes to sit in the cafe whilst mum does all the work. I spent too many years of my life doing swimming lessons with a baby and toddler at the same time to find this acceptable! When my daughter asked why I wouldn't read it I pointed out how Daddy was super rubbish!

@Poorlittlepoorgirl couldnt agree more! Parents remove every decision from their kids lives, never let them fail at anything and tell them they’re brilliant at everything. It doesn’t build resilience 😬😩.

The book where they get Teddy says
“Teddy was darker than topsy and Tim, but not so dark as Tansy”

😶

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@SNWannabe oh dear 😕. That does sound very dated language.
But I do wonder why Tansy and Teddy weren't ever in the newer versions.

Sorry, this:

I was born in the 70s but I had a load of second hand Topsy and Tim books from the 60s. I still have them, I read them to my children, who are now in their twenties, and will keep them for grandchildren! We love the pictures.

Having been forced to watch the TV series of Topsy and Tim I'd imagine the parents were massively pissed off to have them return safe and well. Although, you'd never know as they don't experience emotions because they're dosed up on Valium and vodka

I think maybe you're confusing real life with fiction, OP Children's books have always been, and still are, full of children doing exciting and dangerous, or at least mildly ill-advised things that most of them wouldn't be allowed to do in real life. I'm in my 50s and my parents certainly wouldn't have let me or my sister wander off into the woods on our own.