Childhood disappointments

When I was about 4 I heard about Premium Bonds and decided I must have one, I nagged my parents for one for weeks even though my mum told me they weren’t interesting and that I wouldn’t be able to do anything with one. Eventually my dad came home with one - Oh the disappointment! I thought they were called Premium Wands and that they would look like a fairies wand!

My childhood disappointment was when I was six years old. It was after I had surgery. The Consultant said that I’d been so good and asked what I’d most like him to give me. “A pony, please”, I replied. With that, he sat down and drew a picture of a pony and gave it to me! 😂 To be fair, it was a very good drawing! 🐎

My childhood disappointment was not being allowed a pair of roller skates. My parents said that the paths in our garden were not suitable for roller skates.

Even to a child of six this was patently a fib - we had one path that was crazy paving, one that was asphalted, and a tiled square that measure about 4" x 6"

I was not even allowed to borrow a friend's roller skates and skate in the park.

Vintagegirl that's so awful 😖 .
I was a mean parent as we always seemed to be poor and I had 4 DC. My older sons were uncomplaining but one time their DGM came to stay and took them shopping. They saw trainers in a shoe shop and granny asked them if they'd like a pair? I have never seen such sheer delight in those boys' eyes when they came home with their new snazzy trainers.

I never had a bicycle but dreamt I had one once and was so disappointed to rush downstairs and look out the garden and realise it was only a dream.

Another boots disappointment here. They were to be my birthday present when I was eleven in 1970. I tried on the most gorgeous pair, shiny black, 2" heel, black Criss cross laces through silver eyelets, I adored them. My mother didn't like the heel, so I got brown, furry lined, waterproof plastic, flat as a pancake heels, ugly things from M&S. Great birthday present. For Christmas that year I got a brown umbrella as my only present 🤣.

Old Radio shows have been mentioned but not Toytown with Larry the lamb. ( Mr Maaaaayor!) I used to have to keep turning the Radio off when listening to " Journey into Space". It was so frightening. My chilhood disappointment was not hearing my letter being read out on the Children's Hour programme Nature Parliament, and being told about it by a friend!

Not me but my youngest DD. She was so excited to start school and had heard so much about it from her (4 years) older sister. I picked her up after her first morning and she didn’t look happy. When I asked what was wrong she said “we didn’t do PE and I can’t read!!”.

ViceVersa and Nanna8💐.

As a child I was horse mad. I got a pair of jodhpurs from a jumble sale and would pretend my bike was a pony. We moved to the country when I was 11 and my dad promised me that I could have riding lessons. Eventually he took me to the local riding stables. I was so excited. He asked how much a session cost and was told 10 shillings. He said he couldn’t afford it so that was that.

I was sent to stay with a friend whose parents lived in a Mansion Block type flat in London, it was just after Christmas and the flat had central heating, something I had never experienced, and the friend used to run around in her vest and pants! I think it must have unsettled me as I became very homesick, the mother spoke to my father who worked in London, and told me that he would call round to see me after work......he never turned up! I was so disappointed and deep down I don't think I ever forgave him, of course thinking about it she may not even have spoken to him and actually I got over being homesick and really enjoyed my three or four days in London!

Yes, the radio was our source of news and entertainment.
And the football results!

Allira I remember Dick Barton, Dan Dare...pilot of the future, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Educating Archie, The Archers, when Dan and Dorris were still youngish. Also, The Man in Black, presented by Valentine Dyall.
I could go on, the radio was a vital form of entertainment when I was growing up.

Going to a birthday party, late fifties... Promised a tambourine to take home.
Alas, it was a tangerine. What a let down!

Gloria Hunniford told how as a child she was staring at a neighbours face. She said "where is your other face? Mummy said you're two faced". Try talking your way out of that.
My own example is singing a hymn where Jesus would wash away my sins. I thought sins was short for cinders and wondered why anyone would get covered in cinders and need them washed away.

Aged about 14 1965, I desperately wanted a red parka type jacket.
My best frend had one as did several girls at my school they were all the rage.
Mum said she would buy me one ,I was so excited.

Raced home from school hurriedly opened the bag only to find a yellow windcheater, oh the disappointment.

Cateq

I was about 5 years old and every year my aunt sent a parcel from Australia with Christmas presents for every one. That particular year she sent me a night light in the shape of a koala, but as it had a different type of plug and the only way to rewire it would have meant destroying the lamp I never got to see it lit up. Everyone else got things they could use. Still disappointed 60 years later.

Have you still got it? You could use it with an adapter.

I wish I still had some of my childhood toys, my mother was a declutterer.

I was about 5 years old and every year my aunt sent a parcel from Australia with Christmas presents for every one. That particular year she sent me a night light in the shape of a koala, but as it had a different type of plug and the only way to rewire it would have meant destroying the lamp I never got to see it lit up. Everyone else got things they could use. Still disappointed 60 years later.

I really really wanted a Petite typewriter for Christmas in a light bluey green colour.
Instead my dad, who worked for Nat West Bank, bought very cheaply, one of their old office Olivetti typewriters they were getting rid of and I woke up Christmas morning to that.
Oh, the disappointment - and some of the keys stuck.

*Probably Mrs Dale’s Diary! Who else remembers that?

I remember Mrs Dale's Diary.

How many remember Dick Barton, Special Agent? My DB loved it and I used to call him when the music came on although I was only about two. Just hearing the name reminds me of the exciting music!

About two years ago my three sons were at my home, one of them said "We had a wonderful childhood here in Conwy, free as a bird to do all we wanted" What more would one want to hear from one's children? They are aged 55,57,59.

I don't know how old I was but I badgered my mother to buy me 'glo globs' as advertised on tv. On the ad they made all sorts of wonderful and scary ghosts and things which shone in different colours in the dark - after being exposed to light. Well, I couldn't mould the stuff into anything very exciting, and when I hung them up in the cupboard under the stairs they didn't excite or scare anybody, including me.

I'm one of three sisters. As a child, I would have loved to have dancing lessons, go to gymnastics, learn a musical instrument, join clubs, everything and anything. My dad always said, "If we can't afford for all three of you to do it, then none of you can do it." So none of us ever did anything. Hey ho.....

I was about 3 and we were living in Clapham. The twin girls next door were going out (presumably onto the common) to pick up wood - I suppose for an open fire. I went with them and helped to pick up some of the wood. I was so disappointed when they disappeared into their house with the bucket of wood, including my contribution!

Witzend I remember Mrs. Dale's Diary. When, as a young married woman, I went to live in the Netherlands I used to listen to the programme. It was comforting, a reminder of home. Sadly for me, after a few months the programme was discontinued. Oddly enough, for many years I've been 'Mother-in-law' to Dr. Jim.