Hilarious story I\'ve been sent by many of my patients
Yearly Exam I went to the doctor for my yearly physical. The nurse starts with certain basics. 'How much do …
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DrOrrange 
12:18am Today
My family and I just got back from our annual 4 day "fancy camping" trip with several other families. It's a soft use of the word "camping" because we stay in cabins that have bathtubs and microwaves...they are NICE....so we call it fancy camping.
After three days of sack races, hiking, smores, swimming, collecting tadpoles from the creek, and spying on deer babies with their moms, I asked my 5 year old what her favorite part of camping was. "Being able to walk to Jaden or Jaxon's cabin by myself whenever I want to," she said without pause. This hit me so hard when I realized OH MY they dont know WHAT it was like for us as kids? And we think they have everything!
Our cabins were all in a circle so we let the kids wander in and out of each others houses-- which seemed like nothing to me but, you see, they dont get to do that in real life! My husband and I were the kids who played with our neighbors until it was dark and our moms yelled for us. There were no playdates....your neighbors were your playdates and we literally roamed the street on our bikes at a young age. As we all know, its not like that anymore and in case we dont think they miss it....well they do. I was so affected by this comment I wanted to grab every 5-8 year old and tell them I'm sorry we took away some of their Independence....but it's a different world....or is it?
Dr O.
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Dear Dr O most kids in the neighborhood roam around the area on foot or bikes
We have a convicted child molester in the nxt block but he keeps a low profile. Sheriff;s dept left us all a flier& ppl stay away.I dont believe the world is worse; There is (thankfully) more technology My house is ok 'cause im disabled & hire kids to do some chores. 1st ? Does Mom/Dad kno ur here? Parents trust me & i dont let kid leave w/o calling to say what;s up. Im glad the world has changed for the better. There used to be no laws about domestic violence. now there are ways for battered women-u get the idea! Sry for rambling
God Bless
chio
chipchip
So Glad we grew up when we did, I wouldn't want to be a child growing up now, Too much to worry about. Our life seems so simple compare to now, Sometimes I think the world has changed and not for the better. Many hugs to you -Stephanie
CoolGal
Yes things are different for kids today. The world is different. But there were worries and limits when we grew up according to what the worries were then. And now, of course you have be to worried and careful about where your kids are and what they are doing, but acknowledging that we have taken something away from the children puts things in perspective.
Children still have to be children but within the limits and bounds of what is considered safe and within good parenting. That moment for you daughter when she felt so independent that she could wander from cabin to cabin without supervision is one that she will remember just as you remember wandering the neighborhood on bike until your mother called. Memories are what we have to take with us to the next year. At least your daughter will be remembering her time at the fancy camping instead of time with bars on windows and not being able to go outside for fear of a drive by shooting.
Be blessed doctor that you have provided your children the opportunity to have great memories!
andrews
Yes, sadly it is a different world and those days will never return. The bad part is that I really feel like I learned the most through my independence as a child and the kids today don't have that advantage and it was an advantage. But we do need to protect them from all the preditors at there. Hopefully you can do the soft camping again next year and allow them more freedom to grow on their own so to speak. Have a great week.
treetracer
It is so true. My kids are now young adults, but when they were younger, they ALWAYS had to let me know where they were going to be, and they had to check in if they were going somewhere else.........
Patti001
my kids were independent to a certain point , you are so right dr o.
gramasbabies
Same world I think. Same number of children that love the simple joys in life. And same amount of predators. Given the choice I think that protecting our kids is much better. I think back when I was growing up every parent looked out for me and knew who I was. In fact, most of the police department did as well. Now the town has over 175,000 people. It's too bad that it is no longer a village raising a child.
CherieS
When I was growing up, I knew the neighbors and I had the safety and confidence that there would always be SOMEONE nearby to help. My kids don't have that same safety net. We hardly know or see our neighbors. People move in and out of the neighborhood so often. People don't seem to live in one place for 30 or more years anymore. We're more disconnected and I suppose we are protecting our children from the unknown. I remember dusk as a kid hearing parents calling their kids from their front doors. Once we began to hear the evening hollers, we knew our parents would be calling soon. In some ways the front door holler has been replaced with cell phones, but the freedom to wander and explore is on a much tighter reign for kids. To give our kids at least some opportunity to just hang out and be is a gift. I firmly believe they need that in order to grow and develop and imagine. So much of what we offer our kids is structured--and that has it's place. We really need to be creative to find ways of "scheduling" in unstructured time and freedom.
LillyBlossom
Hi Dr Orange,
I am new here. I am from Singapore.
I am 41 this year and live alone.
Since you are a doctor, I dont mind sharing some of my medical problems here.
In fact, I have 25 years being a lupus patient. I had been on medication like steroid, and other medication on heat, blood pressure. Worst, I have bipolar. Seems I cant stay long for any job. I feel so helpless. Maybe I am v poor in handling human relationships.
I feel so sad that I have no family of my own. Most of my friends have their own families and I wonder if I have to go on life all by myself. What a frightening thought.
How do I expand my social circle?
I really feel so sick of being a patient.
Can you give me some advice?
Please write to me at cleesf777@gmail.com, ok?
Hope 2009 is a great year for u & yr family !!
God Bless U !!
Cheers
Charm
rainbow777