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Do you remember the joy ?

(99 Posts)
Floradora9 Thu 10-Jul-25 21:43:26

Do you remember the joy of when you had small children and lovely weather like we have now . I would bathe the children settle them in bed then gather all the dirty clothes and wash them . I would hang them out and they would be dry the next morning . Small pleasure but I loved it .

whywhywhy Mon 21-Jul-25 23:09:00

Helping my youngest son making a camp and then having a picnic on a warm sunny day.
Walking home and getting some chips.

Allira Mon 21-Jul-25 22:52:01

Mollygo

With you in it Allira?

I'd just stepped out of it, with the dog, Mollygo. We were the only things left holding it down as DH frantically packed everything into the car!

Mollygo Mon 21-Jul-25 21:50:38

With you in it Allira?

Allira Mon 21-Jul-25 20:40:25

Then there was the new tent that blew away in a gale - in August! That was BC (Before Children.)

Mollygo Mon 21-Jul-25 13:33:02

Euro Camp! Oh yes, the pleasure of not having to set up or collapse and a bigger tent than we could have bought or transported.
My funniest memory when camping prior to that was packing up our tent in the pouring rain at the end of a holiday, with the helpful neighbours pointing out that you should never pack your tent away wet.

Allira Mon 21-Jul-25 12:49:12

Oh!

Must buy some apples, we have the blackberries.
A crumble beckons 🙂

Granmarderby10 Mon 21-Jul-25 10:47:13

The sweet aroma of fresh apples and blackberries gently simmering before making a pie 🥧

Allira Sun 20-Jul-25 22:09:27

home made ice lollies

Tupperware lolly makers!!

JPB123 Sun 20-Jul-25 22:06:30

Euro amp for two weeks in France,then home to play in the garden with sandpit,cups and saucers(plastic), climbing frame, paddling pool,clothes maiden with sheet over for tent, home made ice lollies,picnics, bath and bed later in the evening….a joyous, carefree time.

Patsy70 Sun 20-Jul-25 22:00:29

It was just me and my son and daughter in the ‘70s, enjoying the simple things in life. Bike rides, picnics, walks, swimming, camping in the woods, picking wild blackberries.

Allira Sun 20-Jul-25 21:50:39

Happy days, Primrose!

Yes, we had a tent with a separate kitchen. My DC always seemed to make friends with other children on the campsite; their cousins are all older than them.

A couple of times we went to France and hired those tents that were already set up - easy camping! Was it Eurocamp?

Primrose53 Sun 20-Jul-25 21:46:35

I used to take my kids and their 3 cousins camping. We had a big tent with bedrooms and a kitchen. We stayed on a campsite with just a toilet block. No amusements, nothing but they loved it. Walking over the marshes, crabbing, swimming in the creeks and making mud slides.

They all got on well, ate everything I cooked and had a great time. I made them all daft little certificates on the last day of each trip and I was amazed that they have all still got them and they are all in their 40s!

Northernsoulnanna Sun 20-Jul-25 21:26:17

Eddiecat...

You have just reminded me of growing up on a Farm.
Long hot summers, Me and my sisters loved the Combine season.
Jumping in the straw and throwing it about.
Climbing on the bales ,we were so happy.
Then of course the picnic and trailer ride end of the day.
Never any mishaps.smile

Romola Sun 20-Jul-25 17:33:19

M0nica, cherish the joy of today. I think you are aware, as I was, that there may not be too many more.

Ilovedogs22 Sun 20-Jul-25 17:11:31

Faxgran

Picking up my three sons from school and going to the park with a picnic, footballs etc.
Three tired and dirty children straight in the bath & to bed after.
And no washing up or crumbs to clear!
Joy!

I love you post!
I too had a brood! All little boy's (a set of twns as the last) & they were all such a joy to bring -up. 😊

Shelflife Thu 17-Jul-25 18:20:10

HelterSlelter , my memories too. Mum and Dad bought me a lovely Silver Cross pram which did good service for our three children. Had a lovely sun canopy complete with fringe, - perfect! Tiny babies are now scrunched up in buggies!!! They must be so hot.
My happy memory is being aware that our 3 children were fed and bathed and safely tucked into their beds and sleeping soundly . Perfect satisfaction!

Jaberwok Thu 17-Jul-25 13:07:52

Happy summer days of long ago, starting when I was very small with grandparents punt by the Thames, later, days at Mudeford with my own youngsters and my mother, swimming in the Solido swimming pool my parents had, particularly 1976. Picnics by the river when we lived close by. Simple pleasures were perfectly adequate in those far off days.

JaneJudge Thu 17-Jul-25 12:34:13

When mine were really tiny I used to get them bathed and into their pyjamas and then we'd go down to the beach and read a bedtime story. By the time they'd been wheeled back in their double buggy, after all that fresh air they'd be asleep and I'd put them straight to bed.

Mollygo Thu 17-Jul-25 12:25:51

My friends and I used to hike through woods and across fields and climb slag heaps, with a sandwich and my famous collapsible cup in case we found a stream or a pond. “Be back by teatime” and “Don’t talk to strangers” were the only instructions.

Faxgran Thu 17-Jul-25 07:44:41

Picking up my three sons from school and going to the park with a picnic, footballs etc.
Three tired and dirty children straight in the bath & to bed after.
And no washing up or crumbs to clear!
Joy!

Athrawes Tue 15-Jul-25 11:05:18

I was brought up on the Isle of Wight and used to cycle a lot from when I was about 7 - the roads weren't so busy then. My favourite activity was cycling onto the Downs on my own with some food in my bag and a book - perfection! I don't think it would be considered safe these days

brownbunny17 Tue 15-Jul-25 10:42:02

WE had a slide into a paddling pool, geat fun for all the kids around. After school on the local beach too, and I didn't have to pay for parking !!!
Lovely memories

Janlara Mon 14-Jul-25 11:35:01

Well, it has been a joy to read so many beautiful, happy memories of days spent with children and grandchildren.

keepingquiet Sun 13-Jul-25 07:55:07

Yesterday I went to a family barbeque. The weather was glorious, the food outstanding, the oldest there was approaching 80 and the youngest only 5. Because of the hose-pipe ban we had a big plastic box half filled with water and the kids messed about with it and in it all afternoon, they played badminton with a hammock for a net and just enjoyed being together mucking about in the sunshine. It was joyous in every sense. If you don't pass it on, the kids will never have it...

Mt61 Sat 12-Jul-25 22:56:42

Funny, I was driving past the Our local rec, thirty, or so, of us kids playing cricket, rounders, or for the brave, roller skates. Lying on the grass panting & laughing, knackered after playing a game of British Bull Dog.
Very sad to see it empty today.