What’s the most amazing thing your children have that you didn’t?

[Overthehype]

A bit of a lighthearted one, but here you are:

What is the most amazing thing that your children have (or have access to) that you didn’t?

For me it is definitely YouTube. The entire concept of wondering how your refrigerator works and 10 seconds later watching a complete diagram unfold before you, or an in-depth factory tour… that’s insane when I think of how in my school years we just hoped maybe there was a dusty old VHS with a tour of a crayon factory on it. I don’t love this world of the internet that our children are growing up in, but from art lessons to fascinating science experiments YouTube > catalogues of pricey VHS tapes.

@singularcessation when mind say there is nothing on, I’m get irrationally angry!!

Access to a city!

Growing up in a small town then a village I was desperate for shops and cinemas and public transport so I didn’t need to cycle several miles or beg for a lift.

Also not being distantly related to everyone in a 10 mile radius.

Lighthearted: TV with a billion channels to choose from and if there isn't anything they fancy then they can just look on Netflix, or Disney or Apple! Not sure how I survived with 4 channels!

Not so lighthearted: Two parents they don't openly hate each other and argue/fight constantly. I make sure that my kids know me and dh love each other (not full on PDA etc 🤢) and that we are happy.

A happy childhood filled with love and cuddles. A mother who doesn't make her DCs feel completely worthless and who creates drama and makes everything about herself.

Sorry not light hearted at all💔

So many things to be honest, internet, netflix nowtv disney+ etc, being able to have things delivered (hated going shopping when i was a kid) having the answer to any question at your fingertips, my dd asked me the other day why potholes are called potholes, quick google and there is the answer, when i was young if your parents/grandparents didn’t know you would never know the answer lol you can pretty much learn any skill from YouTube these days, its crazy xx

Definitely the Internet and holidays abroad! I didn't go on a plane until I was 16 when I went with friends as my DM was scared of flying.

Unconditional love.

Spider we are the same without the related bit. Whenever I see a “let’s move to the country” post I internally scream don’t do it! Poor teens no upside unless you a horse riding young farmer type which I am not!

A room of his own - some privacy
A bike - freedom
Properly organised transport to and from school
Inclusion in school trips
Foreign travel
Extra curriculars
Being allowed friends
School uniform that fits
Appropriate clothing for cold weather
A centrally heated home

The only thing DS does not have, that I do, is siblings. Nothing I can do about that now, but he has lots of cousins. 🙂

Confidence! It amazes (in a good way) me that he always just assumes he’ll be able to do something and doesn’t sit quietly in the corner, that (when he was younger) he could dance like no one was watching, that he’s not shy in social situations and could have a real conversation with an adult from a young age.

I’m much more confident now but I missed out on so much as a child due to lack of confidence and shyness.

My parents overstretched themselves in the 80's to have the 'big detached house' that represented a status symbol for them. They then spent the next 15 years having to budget incredibly carefully, and school friends imagined we were 'rich' as lived in a larger house when in practise every penny was counted, clothes worn til far too small, everything handed down so i didnt get many clothes that id been able to choose for myself in styles i liked.
I've chosen not to stretch financially so that we don't have to say 'we can' t afford that' quite so often.
That doesn't mean my kids are spoiled, i say no to plenty of things, but when i say no the reason isn't often money.

I feel more confident to offer choices that i hope make my kids think differently about value eg, well yes you can have those must-have branded trainers if you want, but for the same £100 you could have perfectly good trainers AND a hoody AND some new stationery.

Its interesting because actually they are growing up to be far less materialistic than I was. Maybe the security of knowing they could have it if they wanted it, makes them feel more confident to say actually no im not bothered.

There’s some things I had that I wish my kids had now. Like going to blockbusters on a Friday night and arguing with family about which film we were getting because we were only watching one! We always opted for the minimum rent option. None of this watching films on demand.

Calling my Nan from a phone box, with the 20p she gave me to do so, to let her know I was heading to my friends house. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a phone box in my area.

Playing board games by candle light when the electricity went out on our road (does this even happen anymore?) - I mean, we probably could do this but would likely be very boring considering there’s no need for it anymore.

What my kids have that I didn’t? Well a lot, the world is very different. What comes to mind is they can each have a bath, one after the other, they don’t have to wait hours for the hot water again or have a bath that’s been filled with a kettle lol.

Opportunities to do things they want - hobbies, trips and holidays. And lots of meals out.

DD 12 almost 13 and has skin care and hair stuff my 12 year old self would not believe. I'd say I'd only seen the like in films but I didn't have a TV.
I love that she has such a good grasp of self care, her hair is beautiful and she manages her periods by herself without any problems.

This makes me so sad x

for all the non-lighthearted ones.

Currently pregnant with my first, but they will have a dog! My Mum never wanted one but dotes on mine like he is an actual grandchild.

Safety and security.

So much!

Owned, safe house to live in
Cash for all their activities
Two holidays a year
Money for heating and lifts whenever they want them
A sense of security and safety
Proper boundaries

Gosh, thx for this post OP, it's made me realize how well I've done!

Central heating, double glazing, on tap hot water for endless showers.

Lighthearted: a cat and so many wondrous toys and gadgets.

Not lighthearted: love, understanding and acceptance.

A twin 😂

Not so light hearted, but a mum who’s there and trying her best.

Emotionally mature and regulated parent ( most of the time)

Play parks - they are so imaginative. In my day a really well equipped park would have a handful of swings, a slide, big metal climbing frame and a heavy cast iron rocking horse thing that only the dads were strong enough to move and a roundabout that was the same. If a kid was disabled well that was tough luck.

Now they have amazing climbing frames with different height perches and bits to dangle from, zip slides, tunnels to hide in, multiple slides including those parallel metal bar ones they put their legs over the side of, inclusive roundabouts and swings, little assault courses, mini trampolines, enclosed sections for football or basketball. And all on soft padded surfaces in case someone falls!

Lighthearted - 2 parents that drive and a mum that works from home mostly so is around a lot.
Little deeper - a nice home atmosphere no fighting and shouting and silences

100% it's on demand film and tv. We didn't even have a TV for half my childhood. I had a wonderful imagination and read whatever I could get my hands on, but christ, there were some long, boring periods where I would have killed to have something decent to watch, let alone hundreds of programs.

A dad who loves the bones of them and foreign travel.