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/
Here is an easy, inexpensive and fun kid experiment for... Read More
Optimists do better academically, socially and enjoy better health than... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
It used to strike me as odd - but really,... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More
The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More
Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of... Read More
When you talk about multiply your child's intelligence, you can't... Read More
1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
Child Safety Restraints and children in work vehiclesIf you take... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
The older my daughter gets the more it's sinking in... Read More
Checking accounts are an absolute necessity these days. You can... Read More
tidy up service Arlington Heights ..Not so long ago a dad-to-be would pace up and... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent or teacher more... Read More
There are a few points about shyness in children which... Read More
As parents, we love our children and want to do... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
Several similar terms describe the central attribute of a character... Read More
My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More
Here we will come to know who are the most... Read More
As mothers, we play so many different roles and most... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
Our back-to-school buying habits do not help kids succeed in... Read More
No matter what you say or do, your kids will... Read More
Sometimes dreams really can come true! May 8th - 11th,... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
Late vs. Too LateEvery now and then, I'll hear a... Read More
One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More
Despite serious reductions in funding for arts programs in... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
Your child's first year of school should be a fun... Read More
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing... Read More
Attention all parents of teen-agers. Here is an important, groundbreaking... Read More
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
An Awesome Dad in by no means perfect. But that... Read More
Bearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love... Read More
When it comes to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Read More
Parenting |