I grew up here in New Jersey and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. When I was very young, in the fifties, parents did not cater to their children as much and they also left them alone alot more than they do now. I have described it to my own kids as benign neglect. As long as we weren't in trouble they didn't want to hear from us. Our lives were not scheduled as so many kids lives are now. In the summer we would leave in the morning and come home when it was dark. No cell phones - just out all day hanging around playing baseball with no adults around to settle the fights, or swimming or walking in the woods. There are lots of woods in New Jersey contrary to popular opinion I had a great childhood.

Kathleen