tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post8542341054609889005..comments2023-10-30T00:51:36.361-11:00Comments on Diary of a Desperate Exmoor Woman: The feral children of summerExmoorjanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-84424774907653280252007-08-24T11:23:00.000-11:002007-08-24T11:23:00.000-11:00Love this Jane, secret societies? Yep! with you ...Love this Jane, secret societies? Yep! with you there...my Dad used to get the Readers Digest in a brown cardboard folder, very handy for letter boxes hidden in bushes and tree forks. <BR/><BR/>Totally agree with you on everything else. Terrific blog. As always.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-59010319742913086682007-08-20T03:16:00.000-11:002007-08-20T03:16:00.000-11:00What a lovely childhood you had. And I'm sure Jam...What a lovely childhood you had. And I'm sure James will look back on his with wonderful memories. Even if they do consist of cyber-memories. Children are getting RSI these days with all these games and computers. Amazing how times change.<BR/><BR/>Crystal xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-69673972092125850042007-08-19T15:57:00.000-11:002007-08-19T15:57:00.000-11:00Jane, you have just summed up what so many of us f...Jane, you have just summed up what so many of us feel. You put it so well. Love the photo too.<BR/><BR/>Weird thing. Only this morning, I was trying to remember what year 101 Dalmatians came out, as I have a clear memory of my mum saying she'd drop me and my siblings off to watch it at the cinema. We nagged her to stay ("you'll love it, Mum") and she fell asleep in the middle, which I couldn't understand at all - it was just so exciting. I was wondering what year that was, as I wanted to pin down how old I was when she considered me old enough to leave alone in a cinema (although I can't remember whether I went with a younger or older sibling, or both, so it won't tell me all that much).Iota https://www.blogger.com/profile/08507184283437057648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-61501722407265998292007-08-18T22:04:00.000-11:002007-08-18T22:04:00.000-11:00My children and now my grandchildren dare not say ...My children and now my grandchildren dare not say the word 'bored'. I instilled into them the (true) fact that I have never been bored in my life and 'only boring people become bored'. I agree with you that so many modern children need to be 'entertained' all the time, I brought mine up to use their imagination.<BR/>Sorry I know I sound like an old 'holier than thou' granny.... it comes to us all! But don't you think that daydreaming aids creativity?Cait O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04569760764766505179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-70210861835593294322007-08-18T20:08:00.000-11:002007-08-18T20:08:00.000-11:00He probably does gaze off into the distance, he ju...He probably does gaze off into the distance, he just does it from the computer or teley instead of sitting outside.DJ Kirkbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08481107164497582398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-64557037154610141022007-08-18T10:30:00.000-11:002007-08-18T10:30:00.000-11:00Boredom is an essential tool in the development of...Boredom is an essential tool in the development of time management skills!@themillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17644636690850127781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-45935864861661316652007-08-18T04:01:00.000-11:002007-08-18T04:01:00.000-11:00Oh yes your blog brings back memories of my own ch...Oh yes your blog brings back memories of my own childhood. I honestly don't ever remember being bored - except at school. I was an only child and quite able to entertain myself for hours on end when my friends weren't available.<BR/><BR/>I can remember the first time Wildchild announced she was bored - i was gobsmacked . . so suggested many of the things that used to entertain me . . . all of which she thought were lame and . . . you guessed it boring. <BR/><BR/>Different world nowadays with computers and play station and endless electronic games . . even mobile phones . . .and colour TV . . . Is it a better world for all the technological advancement . . . I loved my childhood not sure I would swap for the modern childhood.Westerwitch/Headmistresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08956764463959607416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-4784264942687601922007-08-18T00:56:00.000-11:002007-08-18T00:56:00.000-11:00Have let the eldest two out on their own to play t...Have let the eldest two out on their own to play this year, 9 and 8. They are pretty good at amusing themselves at home though. Eldest reads, no 2 normally dresses up or makes things I think he may be a little mad like Milla's Fin but none the always makes you laugh and of course they make up all sorts of games together.<BR/><BR/>They do have a tendency to still stay close to home though. I have told them not to go near the busy A road that runs through the village but I did think they would have explored the lanes and the stream a bit more. The weather has been a bit limiting. You have only just moved in to your house so next year will probably be different and I think with one it is harder work for the parents. People ask me how I manage with all four at home but it is actually easier when there are more of them.annakareninhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17185509518913591643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-32659114207868875372007-08-18T00:34:00.000-11:002007-08-18T00:34:00.000-11:00Dear Jane,I remember when I was a child, quite hap...Dear Jane,<BR/>I remember when I was a child, quite happy to have my head in a book, bounce a ball against a wall, cycle with my basket attached stuffed with goodies, and off to Regent's Park London Zoo to feed the Elephants Buns. Your darling James is so like my grandson who's birthday is today, I know when he opens his presents it will be, "oh great, a Star Wars PC Game, a Wee, Ipod, heavens, he's even got a Speedboat to zoom around the Fishing Lakes where his Father is Fisheries Manager. If they do not have all these, they get bored. I would be just like you Jane in worrying about when is the right time to let them go off and do their own thing, to explore, sadly the world is not trusting enough anymore, one cannot take that chance, it was so oh so different in our days.<BR/><BR/>Brilliant writing from you yet again Jane, and that picture is so wonderful, how did you manage to get such an ariel view, was Adrian standing high above on top of tree.<BR/>Beautiful Countryside Jane.<BR/><BR/>Camilla.xxxCAMILLAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04741990891794651299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-20271724923626735212007-08-17T23:34:00.000-11:002007-08-17T23:34:00.000-11:00I'm just letting loose of nell now at the age of n...I'm just letting loose of nell now at the age of nearly 13,A year in high school as made it inevitable, Most of her School friends are in makeup, and some are smoking, and worse, Shes outside now making an obstickle course..! and making the dogs go over it, we saw a show yesterday so shes copying, it should keep us both amused for weeks,,poor ethan..and poor you, you'll have to get him job, Glass collecting at wood's perhaps...lol xobodran...https://www.blogger.com/profile/11838798193878553386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-58233366801018956572007-08-17T13:19:00.000-11:002007-08-17T13:19:00.000-11:00Hello Jane,Your family is making a transition, and...Hello Jane,<BR/><BR/>Your family is making a transition, and it is still in its earliest days. I read about the kitchen, the cool water, and now about James at home on holiday.<BR/><BR/>Surely, little by little new connections will be formed. How is James at the weeding game? Maybe he and his dad can have a competition to see who can unroot the most roses?<BR/><BR/>When I look about me on my walks around my city neighborhood and in the area of the shop, (not to mention what I see in the subway system) I sometimes just cringe at the family groups and their behavior. I always think how lucky I was to grow up in a gentle environment. It was great until I entered my teenaged years, and then it was horrible.<BR/><BR/>How I wish that I could have had some children, and not having had any makes me not up to giving you any advice.<BR/><BR/>I do see so many children who do not seem to be allowed to actually act like children for long enough. It is grand that James can be just a boy for as long as possible.<BR/><BR/>Some friends and I were talking recently about how much we loved just being able to go barefoot during the summer. The mere lack of shoes was a great pleasure.<BR/><BR/>Who knows what grand boyhood memories James may be accumulating this week!<BR/><BR/>xoFranceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08352407314710067616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-64748302521398610582007-08-17T10:23:00.000-11:002007-08-17T10:23:00.000-11:00always found that my two just functioned better wi...always found that my two just functioned better with other kids around, even having each other to play with was just a way of saying they had each other to argue with. with non-family kids around too they were fine. i was an imaginary horse rider too and also spent hours with friends out on the moors. i am a fierce believer in kids going away and falling out of trees and making not quite fatal mistakes (sorry, sounds awful, not wishing any child any actual harm). sounds like james needs a couple of likeminded friends to disappear with.Elizabeth Musgravehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09473705107636868753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-3056508377016745082007-08-17T09:03:00.000-11:002007-08-17T09:03:00.000-11:00As always you strike such a chord. Whatever happe...As always you strike such a chord. <BR/><BR/>Whatever happened to the days when children were content to collect the old rose petals from the ground and crush them and add water to make them into rose petals like I did...And using my books and teddies to play libraries or schools...<BR/><BR/>We have spent most of the holidays either away or inviting the boys friends over. I find that I don't see my two when they have a friend over and it is so preferable to playing referee between the pair of them!<BR/><BR/><BR/>I admit Jane that I am wishing away until September...these holidays are too long...for all of us...<BR/><BR/><BR/>Great blog as always...<BR/><BR/>warmest wishes<BR/>xxBluestocking Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01502764742097142372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-44489338311949163542007-08-17T07:45:00.000-11:002007-08-17T07:45:00.000-11:00I used to endlessly chuck a ball at a wall too - ...I used to endlessly chuck a ball at a wall too - literally for hours - I think I would probably find it weird if my kids started doing that! I also had imaginary stables full of palaminos. I do wonder if it's more of a boy thing - I have noticed that my youngest lives in her head totally, takes the most bizarre flights of fancy - whilst my boy is not in any way a whimsical child, although he does read a lot. But then again my girl sounds like Milla's F so who knows. Our problem is that we live in a small village with very few children about for him to go out on his bike with etc.Suffolkmumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15123007594112557168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-66831749992727677082007-08-17T06:59:00.000-11:002007-08-17T06:59:00.000-11:00We are lucky here on the island in that it is stil...We are lucky here on the island in that it is still safe for children to go off to the shore or walking in the fields with the dogs. O. has friends fairly close that he can cycle round to. <BR/>My sister and I used to play many of the games you mentioned and did the 'pay to watch' things, too. I remember doing a 'ballet' in the garden, makes me cringe now!!<BR/><BR/>P.S. Yes,I did take arnica and am also taking ruta. Thanks for your good wishes. xxbradanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950997156844412011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-32465802871695489802007-08-17T05:24:00.000-11:002007-08-17T05:24:00.000-11:00Things have changed very fast in my opinion. My gi...Things have changed very fast in my opinion. My girls, aged 28 and nearly 19, both did the sort of thing you mention - made up shows to which I had to pay to see etc! My eldest and her friend also did the 'museum' idea in the friends garden shed. Reading your blog did make me laugh though - my sister and her friend devised a secret society and the documents were signed in blood - mine! I never remember running to my mother to complain though.<BR/><BR/>I was lucky - my sister was 3 and a half years older, and I was brought up with my niece and nephew, younger than me. There was always someone to play with.<BR/><BR/>Times just have changed. I mean look at us - online community, instead of chatting over the garden fence. I've over got a river over my garden fence so its lucky for me!<BR/><BR/>I know exactly what you mean, but James will be ok. You just have to try to strike a balance I suppose.Faith https://www.blogger.com/profile/04672728248961388984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-36037452910552355042007-08-17T05:01:00.000-11:002007-08-17T05:01:00.000-11:00I think some rose coloured glasses might be at pla...I think some rose coloured glasses might be at play here Jane! I did lots of money-making "plays" with our neighbours which must have been excruciating for our parents but maybe we'd have been weirdly stabbing at keyboards if they'd existed Back In The Olden Days. Fins does lots of playing on his own and looks, frankly, mad. Staggering around literally talking non=stop to himself and clearly not all there and almost embarrassing (although very dear, says hurriedly so as not to appear horrid!) My 2 also have each other to play with, which helps and tend to play laboriously complicated games for hours with endless rules, often vaguely unpleasant and requiring information from us regarding most efficient police cars / stun guns etc. James reads a lot, too, doesn't he and none of us parents can take away the double-headed monsters of pain/pleasure, usefulness/irritation, of pixels and flashing lights which we once wrapped up and called a birthday present! Having said that, mine have been at the park for about 3 hours and there are mothers out there who would tut at my negligence.Millahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15967731998504496807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-3339031925997321522007-08-17T04:42:00.000-11:002007-08-17T04:42:00.000-11:00Are there any play schemes running locally? I'm s...Are there any play schemes running locally? I'm sure there's another family in the town with the same problem. Or what about asking one of his school chums to stay for a couple of nights. BTW that garden is gorgeous - how about a camp out one night? I remember having 8 kids camping in our small suburban garden one summer ranging from 8 to 11. They had the dog for a guard dog and we took it in turns to check them through the night. They had a great time going by the number of sweet and biscuit wrappers I picked up the next morning. We also rigged up the old baby alarm but a mobile would do these days. Roll on September.<BR/>Toadytoadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02890073795239873916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-80185531569429385102007-08-17T04:20:00.000-11:002007-08-17T04:20:00.000-11:00Yes, yes - however did we all manage with an hour ...Yes, yes - however did we all manage with an hour and a half of children's TV (Jackanory, Blue Peter and newsround if you were lucky) on weekdays only, no videos, electronic games or computers... My Boy doesn't quite believe it when I tell him about my childhood in what he calls the Olden Days. <BR/><BR/>I was a bum-whipper, too, and later on I was lucky enough to have a spacehopper, which was excellent for jumping bamboo poles balanced on buckets. I guess it's just a different world today.LITTLE BROWN DOGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09752176955139690523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-53605693924801700172007-08-17T04:17:00.000-11:002007-08-17T04:17:00.000-11:00interesting stuff - how closely you mirror my own ...interesting stuff - how closely you mirror my own experiences! I believe that the stas don't prove any increase in 'bad things happening' but that they are merely reported more widely. I remember stories about a little girl being found up a tree near wher we lived 'with no knickers on'. We were told never to go near the trees again but never understood why.<BR/><BR/>For us the hard thing is the place we live - not in the main village and a mile walk down with unpaved roads and insane drivers. I think its the increase of cars that is the danger not any increased likelihood of 'bad things' happening.<BR/><BR/>So my little one and her siblings when they are with us are dependent on us ferrying them places. Rosie doesn't get bored (well, rarely anyway) being content to make up shows, compose on the piano and read. Had to devise a punishment for her the other day as she was found reading her book at 2.30 in the morning!<BR/><BR/>oh yes and i think it's a boy thing as our 11 year old MJ is endlessly bored and totally unable ot amuse himself. He is the one glued to the playstation too.... <BR/>and finally my fond memories are of devising a show to go with 'greensleeves' invloving bridesmaid dresses and very bored parents!Ska, not a good mother but working on ithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08522546642642851279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-48645819608146305632007-08-17T04:15:00.000-11:002007-08-17T04:15:00.000-11:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ska, not a good mother but working on ithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08522546642642851279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-68353637728847107182007-08-17T04:05:00.000-11:002007-08-17T04:05:00.000-11:00Your blog echoes so many of my own thoughts about ...Your blog echoes so many of my own thoughts about children growing up now and how much more innocent the world was ... or appeared to be ... when I was a child. I don't think you sound pious or self-righteous ... just nostalgic ... and there's nothing wrong with that!FunkyMunkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03417658638855569577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-21580309512539246192007-08-17T01:12:00.000-11:002007-08-17T01:12:00.000-11:00Oh Pondside, I couldn't agree more. Statistics ac...Oh Pondside, I couldn't agree more. Statistics actually bear you out - the world is NOT more dangerous now; we just perceive it that way because of the media and the way it reports everything. Have to keep perspective but the fear factor is huge. <BR/>SBS - glad I wasn't the only one whipping my bum! Your mum sounds brilliant though - reading your blog I loved her drawing the people from the cafes!Exmoorjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-36314735579542217932007-08-17T01:09:00.000-11:002007-08-17T01:09:00.000-11:00I can soooo remember getting clear rounds on an im...I can soooo remember getting clear rounds on an imaginary pony round the garden...I had to clear a low privet hedge which at times was my undoing! When the dreaded boredom struck my mum sank holes in the lawn with an iron bar...put paper cups in ..and with a couple of upturned walking sticks and one golf ball we ran 'The Open' ....next minute kids were coming for miles!!!Certainly passed many hours in this way!snailbeachshepherdesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01397158758052413758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-34305823829505981422007-08-17T01:07:00.000-11:002007-08-17T01:07:00.000-11:00No doubt, Jane, the world is a different place for...No doubt, Jane, the world is a different place for children now. Your blog says it very well - our children are losing the ability to entertain/think for/rely on themselves. We parents have bought the idea that the world is much less safe than in the past (tell that to someone who spent a childhood in a war zone) when in reality, the things of which we are afraid have always existed, just weren't reported in such detail - a child is abducted in Portugal and the world knows every detail. In the past this would have been news to the people of the particular city and to the family and friends of the parent. Now our world is so small that Portugal might as be the next village.<BR/>Anyway - great blog, lovely photo!Pondsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407539138546412482noreply@blogger.com