Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

What is your earliest memory?

(43 Posts)
Jaxjacky Wed 05-May-21 21:21:05

I must have been three or thereabouts, it was a sunny day, but the curtains downstairs were closed, apparently someone in the close had died. I’m not sure if that was the ‘done thing’, or just my Mum.

PaperMonster Wed 05-May-21 20:58:54

Being in a pram, hood up, looking out - the bit that went over the body of the pram and then came up a bit, I guess to guard from wind/rain was up.

tidyskatemum Wed 05-May-21 20:03:04

My Mum was a teacher and went back to work on condition that I could go to the school nursery, We used to have a little nap on camp beds in the afternoon and I remember waking up to find everyone else had gone somewhere and wandering down the corridor crying because I couldn't fasten my shoelaces.

Grandmadinosaur Wed 05-May-21 20:02:21

I think I must have been about 3 at the time. I was at my grandparents house well actually in the area outside and I can remember standing there with a little suitcase.We were obviously waiting to go for our train up to Hartlepool. Every summer I used to go with them to stay with my Grandmas sister in the North East. They lived in an idyllic country cottage with a lovely garden. I can remember the smells from the garden - sweet peas,camomile,lavender and also raspberries that they grew and sitting on the long grass playing with my dollies. The horrible smell from the chemical toilet is something I don’t look back fondly on though ?.
Lovely memories ?

Marydoll Wed 05-May-21 19:37:55

Aged three, falling off a wash house roof in our tenement back court and landing on a piece of wood, with a rusty nail sticking out. I had followed older children, who climbed up a drain pipe.
Instead of being concerned, my mother gave me a slap, as was her way! ?

Grandmabatty Wed 05-May-21 19:31:35

I remember a face at my bedroom window which terrified me. We lived in an upstairs tenement flat so couldn't have been real. I wasn't able to say why I was crying so under two probably.

Scentia Wed 05-May-21 18:37:59

I was probably 2 and a half maximum and I remember getting home with mum and dad and our boxer dog had literally eaten through the kitchen door, I remember my dad hitting and kicking him and I was trying to save him from my dad. Hated the bloke ever since!

3nanny6 Wed 05-May-21 18:05:52

First vivid memories of mine are playing in our large lounge in London (first house where I lived) and was playing with my cousin that my mother cared for while her mum was at work.
I would have been about 2 and a half. My cousin was eight months older than me. I clearly remember my mother sitting both of us at the dinner table in front of the big bay window and we were eating mashed potato with meat and gravy and other days chicken and potato.
I am still as close as ever to that cousin although she is quite a distance from me. I have found through the lockdowns and the Covid we have spoken to each other more than ever, and when all this first started in 2020 apart from my own children she was the first one I contacted to ask if she was okay.

MamaCaz Wed 05-May-21 17:43:58

I have some very clear memories of breaking my arm and the aftermath when I was about 2 and a half.
I can even remember what I was thinking as I waited for someone to come out of the house to help me!

There are a few memories that I think were pre-date that, but that is the earliest that is definite.

Loislovesstewie Wed 05-May-21 16:50:56

About 2 years of age being fed a boiled egg by my granny. I was in a high chair. She was a short stout lady and was wearing a violet coloured dress; she must have been about 89. Also taking my shoes off to run across the field to talk to the pigs;again I was about 2. I'd been told not to get my shoes dirty playing in the backyard!

Elegran Wed 05-May-21 16:47:06

I remember being so cross at the jar of jam that was sharing my pram with me on the way home from the shops that I threw it out onto the road. That was our jam ration gone for a burton. I must have been about 2.
Another memory was being completely flummoxed when an uncle visited who was the spitting image of my Dad. This was the first time I had seen him. I stared at him for ages, then accused him, "You've got my Daddy's face!" Luckily, it was just a copy, he hadn't pinched it.

Blinko Wed 05-May-21 15:41:59

On holiday at Weston super Mare with my parents. We were in a rowing boat at the marina. Mum took a turn at rowing, but dropped an oar. Dad had to row in circles to retrieve it. I was about 18months old.

Blinko Wed 05-May-21 15:40:15

annodomini

I was 2 years and 9 months when I had the best present a little girl could have. A lovely baby sister with a mass of curly brown hair. I remember she smelt lovely - milk and baby powder. We were best friends to the end of her life, 20 months ago.

So sorry for your loss, Anno flowers

EllanVannin Wed 05-May-21 14:40:27

I can definitely remember wearing reins, could have been sometime in 1942----having been born in 1940. I remember those reins too, they had a bar across where the walker held on to. Then brother had them 3 years later .

Gingster Wed 05-May-21 14:29:48

I broke my wrist on my second birthday and remember having a bandage put on it.

yggdrasil Wed 05-May-21 14:25:20

I can remember being pushed in my pram downhill from our house by Mummy & Daddy. Dunno what age, but far too young for walking or a pushchair

annodomini Wed 05-May-21 14:06:48

I was 2 years and 9 months when I had the best present a little girl could have. A lovely baby sister with a mass of curly brown hair. I remember she smelt lovely - milk and baby powder. We were best friends to the end of her life, 20 months ago.

Foxglove77 Wed 05-May-21 13:39:49

I remember coming downstairs and my two older brothers had already gone to school, I was pre school age. Mum had all the chairs on the kitchen table and she was washing the floor. Elvis was singing "She looks like an angel ...." on the radio and Mum was singing along. I've no idea why that has stuck in my mind after all those years!