We all scream for ice cream. Or, we don't, at least not anymore.
Before moving to this sleepy suburb as kids, we lived in the city. We'd walk to the corner store for an italian ice. I barely kindergarten age when we moved south of Boston, but I remember the cool lemony goodness on a wooden stick like it was yesterday.
When we moved to the 'burbs, we didn't have to go to the store anymore for a treat. The ice-cream truck would come to us, (though I seem to remember calling it the slush truck?) Of course, looking back, I see that an ice cream truck was just one more hurdle in my weight gain problems, but this is a happy memory, damnit.
During the summer months, you'd hear the distinct sound of bells, calling to us kids like the Pied Piper of frozen confections. We'd haul up the driveway, down the street, out of the woods, with quarters, dimes and nickels, to buy a "graveyard" slush. Does anybody remember this- getting all those syrupy sweet flavors mixed together to make a greyish-blackish mud of a slush? Maybe it was just my brother who ordered it like that? I used to love watermelon, cotton candy, anything pink.
Now, I'm the mom, living in the same town. We don't have an ice-cream man anymore. Occasionally one comes by, but he's here after bedtime, thanks Mister for getting the kids riled up after 8pm with the thought of drippy Spiderman sherbet on a stick with gumball eyes! (He needs to alter his route and get here earlier to make the big bucks from my three treat-loving kids.)
It's different now, though. We're more conscious of food choices, and running to get an ice cream cannot be a daily habit.
Not only that, parents these days are insanely aware of anyone who drives slowly through a residential neighborhood who doesn't belong. Welcome to the age of Amber Alerts, Attempted Child Abductions, Missing & Exploited Children, & Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board.
Children don't run to ice cream trucks alone anymore. Children don't walk to the store to get a treat anymore. When we were kids, we didn't think much of walking up to the center of town to get something. I'll have to ask my mother, but I don't remember how old I was when she finally let me go with a friend to the store, but I know it was a lot younger than I'll consider letting my kids go to the same place.
It's not that it's any different here, it really isn't, but the years that have passed have changed things and changed people.
The years have taken the ice cream man.
Beth
Read about me here...
http://meltingmama.blogspot.com/
It may seem obvious to many people why literacy is... Read More
Although it's hard to say when the first stuffed dogs... Read More
The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year... Read More
The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid... Read More
In elementary school it's pretty straightforward: bringing in cupcakes to... Read More
Salon visits can be scary experiences for small children: They... Read More
A fun way to build your child's imaginationWriting is still... Read More
We want our children to do the right thing, especially... Read More
What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems?... Read More
"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
I am crying tears of joy mixed with great sadness... Read More
It has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
If I had a dollar for every time I persuaded... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born, later my son.... Read More
Vinegar or honey, what do kids really want? "Toys, candy,... Read More
If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder then at... Read More
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More
Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More
Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein ..Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more... Read More
I am in pain. I've been in pain all day.... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you... Read More
It is not the divorce but the conflict arising after... Read More
Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think... Read More
Children bombard parents with many challenging behaviours. We are delighted... Read More
There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More
AD/HD (attention deficit disorder) is one of the most common... Read More
We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another... Read More
Not many things are more upsetting than discovering that your... Read More
Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child... Read More
An estimated five million scooters will be sold this year... Read More
I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More
We adopted our first child when he was three months... Read More
There's a new trend for party entertainment. It seems as... Read More
Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its... Read More
From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More
Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More
Child tantrums are a way for children to express their... Read More
Parenting |