Parenting Australia

When i was growing up with 3 younger brothers we lived in a 50 year old house... Luckily my mum and dad were pretty laid back (not the 'don't touch the walls' type) and knowing that the house was a pile of fibro anyways, never got angry when we knocked holes in the walls (accidentally of course).

The bath we installed never got bricked in, we ripped off the wallpaper in the bathroom and never painted over it, carpet wore through and rather than replace it we had fun ripping it all up and having floorboards. Our kitchen had this foamy soft stuff for a ceiling and although it was pristine when we moved in, now 20 years later is covered in holes and smiley faces poked into it with the end of a broom handle.
Our garden was such a jungle that when the neighbour accidentally set it on fire with a badly aimed fire cracker, my dad let it burn so he wouldnt have to mow!

As crazy as it sounds, i absolutely loved growing up and looking back - these were the things that made growing up fun. I think it helped having parents that were so laid back!

Now that 2/4 kids have left home, mum and dad are finally planning to knockdown and rebuild... just in time for me to knock out some grandkids to put holes in her new house!



Does anyone else have any fond memories of thier childhood home?

Lauren your childhood home sounds like the house we currently have. I had to stop at the curtains because there just wasn't enough room to fully describe the dodgy carpet that hides beautiful floorboards (half have been polished) and features a patch of dry, crusty paint tipped over by Mr 3, bad ceiling fans, lack of storage that means everything ends up on the floor and kitchen cupboards that are just hanging on.

Our kids will grow up with the same memories you describe, I expect.

Hehe exactly - I think my mums pantry has been missing a door for years!

My dad was the only one working, supporting a 6 person family, so money went more important places than patching a hole or fixing a patch of paint!

IMO makes for a more interesting childhood

Lauren our thoughts exactly. We spend more time doing family activities and being together than making sure the doors swing perfectly. My friends and family all know the deal with me!