Baby Boomer Children

Who were they? They walked to and from school when they were younger. They had to complete their homework alone before they were allowed to go out and play. They were given chores they were responsible to keep up with. They were given money to go to the local store to buy simple things like milk, bread, eggs, and they returned with the change. They collected empty bottles to take to the grocery store for 5 cents each. They could be seen walking around the neighborhood with a lawn mower on summer days asking neighbors if the needed their lawn mowed. They would have paper routes when old enough for extra cash to buy things. They would play baseball with a plastic bat and a tennis ball on the street in between cars passing by. They spent most of their time playing outside, but they were required to return home when the street lights would turn on. They would sometimes be successful begging their parents to play hide and seek on a school night as long as they stayed close to home They were resourceful in making things like rubber band guns, sling shots, wooden swords, and a makeshift bow and arrows to play or act out. They were social and hung out together playing games or playing at the local park. They were more likely to listen to the radio than to watch TV. They enjoyed reading, collecting, and exchanging comic books. They also collected and traded sports cards from those bubble gum packages. They played board games and cards when the weather was bad at a neighbor’s house. They knew the rules to playing Jacks. They read books with a flashlight when they were supposed to be sleeping, usually a comic book. They had parents that were present. They fade away, never to return… Edward J Ebbs - 11/06/2023 Written for a Contest, Growing Up