Do you remember your babysitter?

The babysitters of the 1940's and 1950's were Grandma; older brothers and sisters; hired sitters from the neighborhood; or, aunts and other relatives. When we went out to play we had the whole neighborhood looking out for us and they had our parents' permission to "correct" us. Our babysitters were loving, caring, and protective.

Our parents could rely on us to be safe going to and from the "show", school activities such as football and basketball games and the always fun rallies, Church activities, and, just being on our own playing with friends down the street or down the road. They didn't even have to worry when we walked home in the dark.

What a contrast to today!

We still have Grandma, but usually only part-time, because she has moved to a retirement community in Florida, Arizona, or a nearby city and has an active lifestyle. We still have older brothers and sisters but they all have their own cars and their lives are filled with friends, malls, and school activities. We still have aunts but they also work. And, what about our neighborhoods? The built-in protection of having adults around is not there Monday through Friday because all the adults work and forget about the children being out alone after dark. The media is full of reports of predators, molestors, and kidnappers roaming the streets looking for unattended children. Even the schools and churches are not guaranteed to be a safe place for the children anymore.

The Class of 1960 is so fortunate to have grown up in the "good old days."