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Family Matters:  I was a strange child..  |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 07:31:41 AM
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I got to talking with someone about how kids grow up so fast today and how when I was younger ( I am only 33), I played with my dolls and barbie's right up to high school. I had pets and climbed trees too and I never cared about clothing, hair, shoes or purses until I was in my 20's and this was only for a short time even then. I wasn't interested in "growing up" in the sense of boyfriends, partying, carr (I learned to drive much later than most) I will still plop down and play if someone brings out their barbies. I was really innocent and shy (around people)but happy and I did like to explore new things. I didn't go to prom or was into the girly things in high school. We lived in the country compared to everyone else because my parents didn't buy into the "cookie cuttter" life and where we lived was cheap. I was all out tomboy and loved it. (I was in love with Tom Cruise back in the day, he was my "first" boyfriend...  )The lady called me weird and said there must have been something wrong with me to be so old and acting like a child (at 15- 16). I remember a friend in elementary school gave up barbies in like 2nd grade in favor of weekly parties her mom threw. Was I really weird or where ya'll like this???
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Juliekay
True Blue Farmgirl
237 Posts
237 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 08:30:30 AM
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| I think I was pretty much the same way, and started acting like a teenager simply because of pressure. I could've cared less about boys. It just seemed that to fit in, you had to be a certain way at a certain age. One of many reasons to homeschool, in my opinion. |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 08:33:46 AM
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I was very much like you, but I can't say I was normal. If you were happy, then you were fine. Did you have at least a few friends, and did you have a sense of well-being and equality with your peers? There's a difference between being out of step with the rest of the world culturally, and being withdrawn and isolated emotionally.
Personal issues aside, I think it's healthy for kids to stay kids a little longer than what the norm has been for the past 20 years or so. I remember in first and second grade, all the other little girls were dressing up as Cindy Lauper for Halloween and I had no idea who that was. I was a bird with wings sewn onto my red footie pajamas, and I thought my costume was so much better!
In high school, there's an element of escapism. I think some people are eager to figure out how "real" life works and start doing "adult" things, and other people who maybe don't like the reality of adult life around them might try to stave it off by hanging on to childhood things a little longer. When I was in the 11-14 year old range, I was reading both Judy Blume and Robert Louis Stevenson, and I certainly enjoyed "Treasure Island" more than "Are you there, God? It's me, Margaret." Who wouldn't rather be fighting pirates than going through puberty? |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 08:42:44 AM
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I had few friends because most of my friends were into sex, drinking, sneaking out and I wasn't interested. I hung out with a lot of older people, especially women. I never thought anything wrong of it but I did have a hard time relating to the rebellious attitudeo of most of my peer group. I would rather be among the trees, flowers and animals than actual humans...I have always been like that since I was 2 (so my mom tells me)
I read a lot of younger/older books too, mostly because I would devour books left and right. I was not popular at ALL in high school and I was picked on terribly at school, but coming home, it rolled of my back. And now, as an adult, I will step in if something is wrong, I am often referred to as "mom" to everyone and I am very confident, even if I am very against the grain.
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
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_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2007 : 10:34:06 AM
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I have also not felt like I fit in, especially with my peers. Even when I do, there is about 20%-60% of me that is not like them. Most of my friends are in their 40s - 60s and I'm 30. My best friend is my mother's age almost (62?) my mother is 68. Her name is Joanne and her four children are all grown up. My four are just starting out as they are 8 and under in age. But, she and I have so much in common and she is my playmate! She and I went para-sailing together, next week we plan on going to the zoo. She is like a second mom to me, but also like a sister and a soulmate. Then I have another friend in her 40s and she and I are very different and yet we get together for coffee or tea and we could talk all day to each other. She has one son in college. I have another friend who is 33 and she and I get along well too, her husband and my husband have a lot in common. But, she just seems like an old soul to me.
Before I got married, most of my friends were boys. Not "boyfriends" just friends who happen to be male.
I know what it's like to not fit in, but the more I get to know people the more that I feel connected and more similar.
I'm the baby of the family and yet my sisters all call me "Mom" because I'm the most decisive about things most of the time.
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. |
Edited by - _Rebecca_ on Apr 06 2007 2:10:29 PM |
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Vintage Redhead
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Kaylyn
Saint Charles
IL
USA
233 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 07:35:31 AM
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I have almost never fit in with girls. I am a total tomboy and it's fine with me. Not that I can't or don't dress up and get girly. I even do extremely well at it. But it's not *ME.* The identity *ME* is artsy, edgy, speaks her mind, decisive, listens to what children have to say, plays, cuts loose, doesn't wear much makeup (but *does* get her blonde roots dyed red--go figure!), jams loud music, lets the housecleaning go in favor of a family outing, would rather help a friend than go shopping, and tries not to take life *too* terribly seriously knowing that we're all headed for a pine box at the end!
I have the attitude that people who admit to being a little bit nuts are the people who are the most sane of all...it's just their way of saying that they are an individual and the world looks at them a bit differently. It's the people who *don't* think they're crazy who worry the daylights out of me. They're the cookie-cutter-conformists...the ones who want to change who I am, who you are, who my kids may be...into who they think we should all be. But we are the ones who are impervious to peer pressure. And we are the ones who make a difference in the world. ~ K
~ Kaylyn ~ (Living in Suburbia with a FARMGIRL Heart!)
My Cause: http://nickspavilion.blogspot.com/
My Life: http://vintageredhead.blogspot.com |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 09:01:37 AM
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| I still love Barbie and have quite a few in my spare bedroom. After my kids went to bed I would always dress the Barbies and straighten up their townhouse and set them in there. My sister is coming to visit me next month...we're going to buy some Play Dough. Oh and I'm 55! I'll play forever. |
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Persephone
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Katrina
Indiana
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 09:14:37 AM
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| I played with Barbies up until about the age of 11 or 12. But I went through a LONG phase where I didn't play with them at all. I think I might have GOTTEN my first Barbie at the age of 9 or 10! I started caring about boys in kindergarten, and developed my first real crush at the age of 7 or 8. :) I was about 9 or 10 when I started wanting to be "cool". (And about 15 when I STOPPED caring about it! :)) I don't think you're too weird, but then, I'm weird too, so maybe not the best one to ask? :) |
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Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 8:01:56 PM
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In my personal opinion weird and different are worlds apart! Maybe you were just different?!? For me I was a mixture. In many ways I had to grow up very fast, it was required by my parents. By the age of 4 I was expected to act very much like an adult in every way. By the age of 7 I was babysitting in peoples homes alone. I got along with everyone from babies to senior citizens, though I often stayed away from adults because I found they were too judgemental and fickle. I dressed very properly and was very well mannered. We traveled the US and abroad extensively and I was in the company of kings and queens and the poorest of the poor. We ourselves were not well off at all but no one would have known. On the other hand I could make the best mud pies, played with snakes, could climb the tallest trees and loved it! Had the best imagination ever (and still do! lol) On our farm I was always barefooted, played tackle football, wrestled, and rode bikes. I loved to play with dolls and played with them until I was 13 but stopped because my mother informed me that she stopped playing with them when she was four and I was REALLY immature to play with them *sigh*. I did not get my license till I was 19 and that was with extreme preasure from my cousin and peers. I never tried drinking or drugs not even once and had a ton of guy friends and not so many girl friends. I would never sneak out, never partied or caused trouble. I do have two very close friends my age but never had a ton of close friends. Every where we moved I got picked on something awful at first but the way I carried myself ( I guess) it would soon turn around and I was usually the most popular girl by the time I moved away...is that normal...nope! I did like boys but never wanted to date...I always just wanted to find the right one and get married and settle in for a life of love and friendship (boy was I in for a surprize!) I still love dolls and teddy bears! When I owned my store my absolute favorite trade show was the toy show. I don't wear much make-up (eye liner and lip gloss are my everyday thing IF I wear any) wear tees or blouses and jeans 99% of the time ( am a true blue jean girl!)with sandles or flip flops. I dont have my ears pierced (ouch!) and dont wear much jewelery though I do love some of it very much! And I dont think going out and getting drunk is fun. I still don't drink and dont smoke. Love to dance but only with my guy or my girlfriends, I love to shop but dont have to buy to be happy, window shopping is a blast to me. I love household arts but love driving fast, use to work on cars and serious sports cars are awsome! Love to read but not novels. I am very religious but not against many things "religious" people are. I throughly enjoy entertaining and being with friends and going out, but I also LOVE just being home and alone! Am very opinionated by also VERY open minded. I love throws and pillows and velvet and lace, but will play with lizards and frogs n snakes...lol....so what is normal...what is weird...I am just different! 
And different is what makes life interesting and fun! 
well in my opinion anyway! 
Hugz!
Talitha
PS oh I am 35
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
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sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 9:14:54 PM
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We are unique! All of us farmgirls.. a thousand different paths have led us here.
I've been a tea granny since about the age of 4 ('cause I used to hang out and play cards with all my old grannies after kindergarten) Which led me to being one of those strange people that feels very comfortable in nursing homes.. I won't say that I wasn't interested in boys but as a teenager drinking, smoking, drugs, sneaking out, etc. all seemed really lame to me. And a good saturday meant taking the bus to the library in the morning and reading in a cafe with a tea and a cheese scone! I still don't drive and I'm 24.
When I was travelling with my mum a few months ago she called me 'an original'. You're not weird catscharm, just an original! 
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
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Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 10:34:53 PM
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Meggie,
I love "original" even better!!! Yes we are originals!!!
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
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_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 07:30:07 AM
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It's so wonderful to hear all the unique experiences. Talitha, I would love to hear you tell your experiences. And Maggie, I love your "tea granny" experience.
I used to hang out with some friends of the family who were older than my parents.
I was the teacher's pet (not by choice) every year in school. I loved to read. My sister was the same way and she always felt very awkward in school. It's just not cool to be that way in school.
I love Finding Forrester, has anyone seen that movie?
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. |
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a rose
True Blue Farmgirl
443 Posts
Linda
Waterford
NY
USA
443 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 08:42:15 AM
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I didn't have much a childhood! My father left us when my Mom was pregnant with her 6th child. At the age of 8 I became the caregiver of my five brothers. After the 6th was born my mother went looking for love in all the wrong places and I was left to care for the boys. That meant feeding them, dressing them, and keeping the home fires burning. I did this until I left home at 16. I found my childhood when my grandchildren were born. Grandma's are cool when they pretend to be the baby or get down on the floor to play cars. Strange? Different? No....I am blessed
Remember me as a rose. |
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Persephone
True Blue Farmgirl
172 Posts
Katrina
Indiana
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 08:43:11 AM
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| Yeah, I'm 25, married with a child and I still don't drive- don't want to- but, I DO want to be a doula, and you kinda need reliable transportation for that, so I'm prolly going to learn to drive this summer. |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
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Vintage Redhead
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Kaylyn
Saint Charles
IL
USA
233 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 1:31:39 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by _Rebecca_
I love Finding Forrester, has anyone seen that movie?
I own it - it's one of my *faves*. My boys (6 & 7) have watched it with me countless times. That and "A River Runs Through It." Two very different stories, but both about being individuals and finding our own paths. ~ K
~ Kaylyn ~ (Living in Suburbia with a FARMGIRL Heart!)
My Cause: http://nickspavilion.blogspot.com/
My Life: http://vintageredhead.blogspot.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 1:35:27 PM
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| Funny thing happened today. I was out and about in my jeans, flip flops and plaid short sleeve button up shirt. I had a scarf on my head, hair wrapped up( I tried the pincurling last night). Someone stopped me and asked if I was part of a rodeo show or something. I told them "Nope, I am a FARMGIRL!!!" ROCK ON FARMGIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2007 : 9:59:03 PM
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You go farmgirl!!!!
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2007 : 05:33:49 AM
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I've ALWAYS been different then my siblings & friends, the "WEIRD " one. I used to let it upset me but not anymore. I was a terrible tomboy until 16 when I discovered boys weren't just for playing football & beating up! I remember all the men in my life like my father & brothers always saying "why can't you be like other girls", because I didnt want the "normal" jobs & things girls were supposed to want & like. I was happiest at my girlfriends farm on a horse, tractor or out in the woods. Im fickle w/ certain things, I want things yesterday (working on that) and Im internalize way too much! But im loyal, loving, hardworking & hopefully always kind to others.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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MariaAZ
True Blue Farmgirl
203 Posts
Phoenix
AZ
203 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2007 : 9:45:30 PM
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I was a "strange child" too. I was playing with my barbies until I was probably around 16. I remember going to a friend's house after her 13th birthday party. We were playing with our barbies when her mom walked in and told my friend that now she was a teenager that she was too old to play with dolls. I stopped hanging out with the friend shortly thereafter, as her interests were going a different direction.
When I was 16 my folks asked me if I wanted a car or an Encyclopedia Britannica set. Let's just say I still have the encylopedias ;)
My first "date" happened when I was around 25, when my best-friend-in-the-world and I decided that we wanted to take our 7 yr old friendship to another level. We got married the next year, and I've been married for 18 years to the only guy I've ever kissed.
Yeah, I was a strange child who became a strange adult :) |
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serenity1652
True Blue Farmgirl
140 Posts
Fawn
Elkins
WV
USA
140 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2007 : 06:39:39 AM
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I was ecentric...to say the least. I lived on a farm until I was 11...then moved to Baltimore City...Culture shock took hold...had a child at 15...another at 17...another at 19...another at 21...moved back to the country...didnt want my kids growning up like I did...met a country born and raised man that didnt mind me have 4 children and married me and raised those children as his own...as their dad has nothing to do with them...he was young also. Kids have never seen him...How sad. But since I woke up and started pretending to be adult...life is somewhat sane. We live in town...have a farm for the summer. Have critters and such for the kids...We all have different levels of normalicy....so we are not weird...just ecentric.
Fawn
"May all of your farm girl dreams come true...as mine has"
http://shallowcreekfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2007 : 3:26:02 PM
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Hi Ladies-
I know that a lot of my peers thought that I was “weird” growing up. I especially loved collecting and playing with Breyer Horses (the plastic model horses that look real). I played with Barbie mostly as a prop to my play with the horses! I loved reading books. I would read anything I could get my hands on!
I love (d) roaming around in the wild by myself and thinking up all sorts of wonderful adventures. I started writing down my stories at a very young age because I wanted to remember some of my imaginings.
Our culture today puts so much focus on growing up, being materialistic, being entertained by others that it doesn’t surprise me that so many of us were thought of as “different”. It seems like a lot of us inherently rejected a lot of the popular culture- which is what our peers felt most comfortable with.
It just makes me even gladder to have this forum and to be able to network with the rest of you ladies!
Cheers!
Alee
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2007 : 5:12:02 PM
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I collect horse figure and books, because I always wanted one. Still play with/collect dolls, play games like Mousetrap, etc. Mu stepdad says I get along with kids so well because I am the same mental age!! lol! Disney movies here I come. I alos have 6 of the 8 Mdame Alexander McDonalds dolls: Currently, Wizard of Oz. Have to have the witches! lol!
Blessed Be!
farmgirl@heart
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams; live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." - Henry David Thoreau
http://chevy49girl.livejournal.com/
http://midwestmusings-kim.blogspot.com/
http://chevy49girl.deviantart.com/ |
Edited by - Kim on Apr 14 2007 5:16:32 PM |
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MariaAZ
True Blue Farmgirl
203 Posts
Phoenix
AZ
203 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2007 : 6:12:57 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Alee
Our culture today puts so much focus on growing up, being materialistic, being entertained by others that it doesn’t surprise me that so many of us were thought of as “different”. It seems like a lot of us inherently rejected a lot of the popular culture- which is what our peers felt most comfortable with.
My gosh, is that the truth!!! I was never into fashion (in fact I was usually teased about my lack of fashion sense) and I was also a true bookworm. Once I got to junior high, where the library was open to students during lunch, I spent most of my recesses and lunch times there. I really loved learning (still do!) and so I really liked school. I was a total and complete "nerd", but I was a happy nerd in my own happy little world! |
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Family Matters: I was a strange child.. |
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I was a strange child..
