Like the 80s
Remember what it was like to be a kid in the 80s? Outside all the time? I remember playing with my banana seat bike and meeting up with friends in the street. We knew it was time to go home when our mom’s yelled out into the wild that it was time for dinner. I’m all nostalgic about it because we found this paradise existence for my own kids and they are over-the-moon happy.
They were up with the sun this morning eagerly making homemade flyers for their new sword club with all their new friends. Brian had written out all the rules for safety and inclusion and Nola was drawing the pictures to go with it. They are so happy here already! We’ve never had apartment living and they are over-the-moon about the abundance of friends and playing outside. There are three playgrounds and a forest where they build forts and play all day.
At first I was really nervous about sending them outside. Most of the places we have lived I have had to be very careful because we don’t know the neighbors right away. Some places have been really lonely for my kids as there isn’t anyone out playing or anyone their age on the street.
Here I can see them most of the time right from my window or balcony, but we’re new here and I don’t know the kids or the parents or if I can trust this new environment. I’ve been trying to settle into what the limits should be and what is ok.
There are bikes and toys being played with by everyone —we were told that everyone just kind of shares everything that gets left out. And there’s this crazy sand pit where the kids drag a long hose from a building to create mini lakes and rivers in their villages of sand.
There are so many kids!
My two elementary age kids were SO EXCITED! Like, jumping up and down excited to have so many kids to play with all the time. Matt pointed out that it’s just like being a kid in the 80s where we could play out on the street, find friends, and ride bikes all the time. I loved that freedom! And I admit, it hasn’t been what my children have experienced in their life so far.
They have made so many friends, which means I’ve met so many moms, and it feels like a community we haven’t really every known before. I realize that our particular barracks/housing is unique from the other installation housing around this area. We are all families with 4+ kids and there aren't very many apartments so it feels more secluded and close. The area where the kids can all congregate and play is also pretty small so I don’t ever have to worry about the kids being too far away.
My three rules for my kids right now are: 1) The cannot go into someone else’s apartment building until I have met their parents, and 2) when they want to play in someone else’s home, they have to ask me first, and 3) if they are playing in a bedroom at our house or someone else’s the door has to stay open.
We found a spontaneous playground in the middle of the city in Stuttgart.
My youngest two kids are getting the childhood play I have longed for them to have! And my oldest two who are teens…it’s a bit more complicated, but already we’ve met others their ages and they are getting connected.
I’m going to soak up this 80s childhood vibe as much as possible.
