My son is growing up far too fast and I find myself wondering if he is missing out on experiences that where so pivotal to my own childhood.
- There's no penny sweets at the newsagent and pick n mix requires a second mortgage to afford.
- There's no exciting monthly trip to blockbuster to pick out a new game or movie based solely on the box art. Everything is just downloaded or streamed. you don't even get to just browse for games unless you go to CEX.
- There's no more paper rounds, which was my only source of funds for years (and no new roles to replace them)
- There no rumours about game secrets or stories like that kid from the next school over who died for x or y reasons as everything is available at the touch of a button.
- Finding a page 3 in the woods during your teens and calling on all your friends in person to take them to it.
- Just disappearing for hours on end with your friends with no method of contact from your parents.
- Actually listening to all songs on an album in the correct order until the album finished
- Mcdonalds play areas and birthday parties and all the characters that don't get a look in any more (Hamburglar, Grimace etc)
- Toys R Us. I know we still have Smyths, but it's just not quite the same vibe
- Set time for kids TV. You watched what was on or you watched nothing at all. There's too much stuff available instantly it's hard to get get them away from a screen.
Does anyone else think the modern childhood just might be missing out on some experiences?
What other things do you think modern childhood is missing out on?
Am I just looking back through rose tinted glasses?