07.10.08 Because My Mom Wouldn’t Let Me
Raising me my mom was - what’s the word? - careful. In those days we didn’t wear seat belts and we ingested second-hand smoke at restaurants and we rubbed baby oil on ourselves instead of sunscreen, so careful wasn’t as careful as careful would be today. But it was still careful. For instance, no playing in the rain. My mother would never have let me play in the rain, not with lightning and all. Because Lord knows lightning kills people far more often than car windshields or lung and skin cancer. Lord knows.
Yesterday, we tempted fate, lived dangerously. And there’s nothing mom can do about it.
We were “watching” Redneck Neighbor’s kids as well. So our kids had other kids with which to stare death in the face. Best to face one’s mortality in good company. I’ve always said that.
Gabriella and Averi (Yes, that Averi) practiced for their future sorority days. “ Now, hold out your cup. Good. Now smile while trying to stand up.” *snap* “Good girls.”
Meanwhile the boys made buckets of mud and Penelope got carried around by Redneck Neighbor’s oldest like the princess she believes herself to be.
And watching other people walk and run around is tiring for a princess.
Fatalities? None. We lived to tell the tale. But don’t tell my mom.
Sarah Chia said:
So cute!
I remember having contests with my bro and sis to see who could dodge the most raindrops. Funniest thing was that we actually thought we were succeeding.
anon4him said:
I’m 20 years old and my mom still won’t let me play in the rain… when she’s home :-D
said:
My mom was one of those careful mom’s, too. We couldn’t play in the rain because we’d get pneumonia, couldn’t play in the creek behind the house because we’d get polio, couldn’t play in the grass barefoot because we’d get stung by a bee and had to wear t-shirts under our clothing from Labor Day through Memorial Day! BUT. I vividly remember my mother driving with my baby brother, on her lap, while feeding him a bottle! Go figure.
Shaun Groves said:
Yep, Cristy. My mom said I’d “catch cold.” Apparently all those scientist types are in error thinking a cold is a virus.
said:
Yep. My mom was sure we’d all “catch” colds if we played in the rain, went to bed with wet hair, or ate ice cream on Sundays (just kidding about the last one).However, there was no such thing as a car seat and the back seat of the car didn’t have seat belts. My favorite spot on long car trips was the “deck” of the rear window. I fit there perfectly (as long as I didn’t want to move my arms) and had fun falling on my older brother whenever my dad would hit the brakes!
Beth
said:
Living in Nevada, rain is a very rare pleasure for us.
When my daughter was three years old, we lived in New Zealand for a year. It rained there. A LOT. And she was allowed to dance in the rain. She loved it. No gum boots - heck - no shoes, no umbrella. She got very soaked. And often. And loved it.
Many people questioned me for ‘allowing’ her the pleasure. I never understood why it was an issue.
She’s now 17 years old and playing in the rain is still her favorite thing to do. And she remembers New Zealand. And the rain. I done good.
said:
Like Di I’m in NV but growing up my mother would tell us to go play in the rain. wow is she an odd ball. Love her to death
alan said:
I remember back in the day, we played with toys that were made out of real metal that rusted and all that good stuff. Not only that, but Hot Wheels had real rubber tires that came off, and most toys were painted with paints that contained lead. Today though, all the above will kill people. It’s amazing how any of us survived our childhoods.
said:
Every once in awhile ya need to throw ‘caution’ to the wind, my friend. It’s what makes life....well LIFE. I guarantee the kiddies will always remember the day dad let them play in the rain… and the cold they caught afterward.
Your such a fun dad....
Veretax said:
I think I did this once or twice when I was younger, but it was a bit different back then with out all the other distractions there are today. Before cable TV absorbed so much time, before the internet. Wow...I don’t know how I’d live without the Internet now :/
As for Hot Wheels, I only remember certain special cars having rubber tires, but man Anyone remember those Humongous Tonka Trucks? I have a Black Jeep that you can change its tires, the old yellow dump truck, a crane, and cement truck, and one by one I’ve passed them down to my son. He’s gotten as much fun out of them as I have. Man they knew how to make toys back then.
Rachel said:
I always loved how the campus of my college would come alive when it rained. You would hear people running around and jumping underneath the HUGE spouts of water pouring off the buildings. Mud wars usually ensued, especially after dark when security wasn’t as aware of the “disorder” we reeked.
I still play in the rain from time to time. It’s liberating! =)
hinduja said:
Even my mom is little strict and will not allow my brother and me to play in the rain. I use to cry for going out and playing in rain. By crying and crying, one fine day she agreed for only 10 minutes. Onces she came to know i am not that much affected my cold later she allowed to play whenever i wish.
Michelle said:
I played in the rain once during my childhood days, got the flu afterwards. Mom wouldn’t let me play in the rain again. :( For good reasons, of course, hehe.
Mike said:
Ha, you can run wild now and you can play in the rain. There’s nothing anyone can do about it.
Cycle Clothing said:
This reminds me of one morning which snowed when I was 5. I had never seen snow before so I jumped out of bed in my pyjamas and ran out in the snow, rolling around and everything. My mum was shocked to see me running around with pyjamas and no shoes on.
Barry said:
Back in the days when it was OK to get dirty or fall down and get a scratch and no need to sue someone!