Truth about Boomers and Gens

I’m Boomer, so I know the truth.

 

I’ve heard all stories about Baby Boomers and Gens bragging endlessly on how they used to roam the streets without a care in the world; playing in the park, swimming in the lake, riding their bikes, staying out till dark, or until the street lights came on.

Yes, we all remember the good ol’ days, but now that I’m old enough to know what really was going on, I do have a greater appreciation for the Moms and Dads of that era.  

Kids in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s did frolic carelessly back then, but unbeknownst to them, a formidable team of Super Moms were constantly watching.

Even Santa was a Spy! I'm the kid he's holding.

If a kid walked a block down the road, Mom (A) called Mom (B) to report she was tracking little Johnny or Mary. Walk two more blocks and Mom (C) continued the surveillance. No matter where a kid went, a Mom was tracking them. They had party phones back then too; today it’s known as a conference call.

Dads were on the super team too.

That out of place Dad on the basketball court – SPY!

Dad Showing the kids how to throw a football – Spy!

Dad fishing on the banks of the lake – SPY!

Dad sitting in the ice cream shop drinking coffee all day - SPY!

Dad walking the dog in the park – SPY!

The suspicious looking Dad on the pay phone – Spy!

 

Mailman – Spy! Moms talked to the mailman, and they reported what they saw.

 

Kids had no idea they were being watched from the moment they left the house until the moment they returned. And Moms were super sly too.

Mom – “Jimmy, did you have fun at Billy’s today?”

Me – “How did you know I was at Billy’s?”

Mom – “He IS your best friend isn’t he; I just figured that’s where you were at.”

I never gave any of my Mom’s sneaky questions a second thought, until I became a parent.

 

Moms never panicked or blew their cover either. If they were watching kids play and someone got hurt, they’d wait to see if it was serious or not. Kid banged his knee, cried, threw some dirt on it, and went back to playing. No Problem. Kid stayed on the ground too long, crying and screaming – BOOM, a Mom miraculously appeared out of nowhere.

Some crafty Mom probably even saw your first kiss.

Fred’s Mom sees Joey kissing Sally. No big deal, as long as that’s all he was doing! And Fred’s Mom would report the news back to all the other Moms. For Joey’s birthday, his Mom would cunningly ask, “Are you going to invite Sally to your Birthday party?” To which little Joey replied, “Aw, Mom, do I have to?”

Moms back then knew everything.

Church on Sunday’s was where all the Moms met to discuss – who’s going to be home and on which days, who’s checking the parks, playgrounds, which Dad was on Spy duty, train new Moms, and if there were any leaks in their Super Spy Network   

It is true, when I was only 6 years old, that on any day in the summer, except Sunday, I could go over to Bob’s house, walk in the back door, because it was never locked, and I’d see his Mom cooking breakfast – bacon, eggs, and pancakes. She’d say, “Hi, Jimmy. Go wake Bob up, breakfast is almost ready.”

 

For those who were lucky enough to live in such a neighborhood, it truly was an amazing and peaceful time. Carefree and without worry.

 

It's 10pm - do you know where your kids are?

To all the Moms and Dads, who made sure we were safe, THANK YOU!

 

-jk-