Somethings Never Change, Others Never Should

I am so excited to be blogging on Glen Rock Patch. Most first blogs are ones that tell you something about the person thats blogging. 

Something like this: Hi, my name is Julie and I am graduate of Coleman School, Glen Rock High School Class of '88. I used to volunteer with Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps and work at the pool.  I now live in Hamburg, N.Y., where I run my own business doing web and graphic design. 

But I don't want to start my first blog like that.  

I belong to a Facebook group all about Coleman School and growing up in GR and how it is so different then it is now. Some of the conversations really made me think and want share.

Reading these conversations you realize how simple life was for us growing up in GR. We did not have the pressures of the kids today to compete and be the best. Now, we did have the friendly competition teams like softball where you played for Kilroys and you challenged the Rooster Shop (of course Kilroys always won LOL.) But it's not like today... back then was all about fun. 

My favorite soccer coach is now the mayor of Glen Rock. John van Keuren was a great advocate of having fun with the competition. 

Another change from the past I see and today is free play.

Some things we used to do:

• Hang out with our friends
• Walk downtown to get a treat from Joe's Sweet Shop or explore all the neat things that the 5 & Dime had to offer
• Go to the pool
• Play tennis or soccer in the streets with our neighborhood friends
• Walk and bike everywhere if we wanted to go someplace. 

I don't see the same kind of "free play" anymore.  

Now, it is all about:

• Electronics — yes I am a geek and I'm bringing up my 3-year-old with an iMac and iPad
• Deadlines
• Competition, and
• "The Brand Name"

Anyone remember staying up late to play flashlight tag or being allowed to TP trees on Goosey Night?  

What do you remember from your childhood that you don't see with today's kids? 

Anyway, now I'm off to teach my child to put down the iPad and play outside. Oh, wait, it's raining. Hmm... What did we do for fun on a rainy day? 

Talk to you soon. I look forward to hearing what you think!