This was my contribution:
I miss my childhood. I was the oldest of four, I remember always playing the “grown-up.” Sometimes for fun and sometimes not for fun. Our parents worked a lot, A LOT. Sometimes around the clock, so we, the children, were often times left with relatives and babysitters. When we were older and able to stay home alone, they left us to fend for ourselves. Let me just say that we should all be owners of Burger King by now, as often as we were customers there!. What can I say? Mine was not the "stay at home" kind of mom. She would ocassionally cook for us and leave it in the oven for us to reheat when we got home, but due to time constraints with her two jobs, she wasn't always able to do this. So BK is was! Besides, it was close, convenient and cheap. I used to get angry at my parents for working so much. For giving me the responsibility of watching over my brothers and sister, when I was not much older than they were. I was bathing them, and making sure homework was done and that they ate dinner. As we got older, the responsibilities changed, and instead of bathing them, I had to make sure they weren’t out in the streets after dark or at a neighbor’s house. My mom didn’t allow us to go over anyone’s house without her permission or her knowing who they were personally. We were also not allowed to have anyone over when neither of my parents were home. This put a damper on my siblings’ engaging personalities! They were/still are social butterflies! I know the parentals meant well and it was because of their sacrifices that we never went without, and were able to attend private schools from kindergarten until high school. They wanted nothing but the best education for us. And they saw to it that we got it. But all the while, even now, I feel this tinge of resentment and loss. I didn’t have a “normal” childhood. I grew up much too fast. And I carried a lot on my shoulders since I was twelve years old. Still, my parents are amazing people and I love them to death.
But I miss my childhood.
15 comments:
You did have to grow up too fast. I'm sorry for that. I remember feeling things weren't right until my mom came home from work, even when I was a teenager.
Thank goodness for Burger King! At least they broil their burgers and don't fry!
I can understand you missing your childhood, the one you are wishing you had. It's tough for the oldest when they are held responsible. I love the way you ended on a positive note by saying how much you love your parents. Nice share. Thanks!
I think at some points I wondered why you didn't change the prompt to "I MISSED my childhood"! However, I understand the missing of such times as well. After my father passed away, I played a similar role when my mother tried going back to college for a time - it may not be the storybook childhood, but childhood it was, all the same!
In my house it was Heartland Pizza, just up the block instead of BK, but they were quick, fast, cheap and a warm meal ;)
Belle- haha, well, at least there's that! (BK reference) I remember waiting by my bedroom window, sitting on my bed, for my mom to come home every night. I would not fall asleep until she did.
MJDB- Thanks for your comment! It's so true, being the oldest comes at a price -too much responsibility!
Nicole- hahaha, pizza! well at least we were well fed right? ;)
This made me think of my niece Samantha she grew up fast too as the oldest of 4 children she was the one to take care of her siblings when they went to their dads for the weekend as he was usually drunk and would often be passed out so it was left to her to make sure everyone was fed and bathed......
Ugh! That poor girl. Well, hopefully, she has a few good memories. We all should have at least one or two good ones.
that is so interesting. your parents worked a lot so you could go to the best schools. But you probably wished they were home more and you went to public schools. I'm sorry you feel you missed out on being a kid.
Cheryl- Yes exactly! While I am grateful and appreciative for their sacrifices, I would have been just as happy if they were home and I was a public school kid. :)
It is hard. Our parents don't often realize that what they have dreamed of is not necessarily the ideal.
Not having grown up in the best situation myself I know that it is hard to forgive our parents sometimes. But it sounds like they had good intentions so I can see how you are grateful, yet miss what might have been.
You took on so much, so young. You tell your tale with clarity- as fact. I really respect that.
Sounds like it was a bittersweet childhood that made you the great woman you are.
xoRobyn
YRJ- yes! you totally got it!
GB-Thank you!
Robyn-:) Thank you!
Aww.. you grew up too fast. :(
I think most of the kids.. the eldest.. they grow up too fast, because of the responsibilities which are "passed" upon them.
But I admire you for not letting the feelings of resentment make a gap between you and your parents. :)
I'm the youngest in the family.. so I'm kinda.. spoiled. But being the youngest and the only girl in the family also has its disadvantages. My parents still baby me.. my two brothers, they do too..
I think .. I've enjoyed my childhood.. and yes, I do miss it too. Sometimes, I just wanna go back to being in gradeschool and paint trees on paper, and color them with crayons.. :)
This is quite long enough.. This is a nice share, Yvonne. Thanks.
P.S.
Thanks so much for the hugs. I appreciate them. :)
A childhood is a precious thing. But who says you can't relive it now?
Fickle Cattle
ficklecattle.blogspot.com
Leah- I think we all long for that sometimes.
FC- True. I think we can all try to let the inner child out and play every once in awhile.
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