The perfect article for this 80s kid to rant about good old times. My dad gave me a tiny bicycle at the age of 6, and basically said "good luck". I could go an

The perfect article for this 80s kid to rant about good old times. My dad gave me a tiny bicycle at the age of 6, and basically said "good luck". I could go anywhere I want for as long as I'm back home in time for dinner. They had no idea where I was, with whom, or what I was doing. One day, an older kid hit me in the playground. I came home crying, assuming I'd get some support. I was told to just hit him back, preferably harder. I explained that the kid was much older and far bigger. "Get a piece of wood then". Standard equipment for every kid everywhere were thick knee pads, as mothers grew tired of fixing bloody knees and probably more important: the jeans. On any day, we'd come home looking like pigs, and almost always with fresh wounds. Throughout this entire period, outside of formal family moments, not a single photo, audio or video recording exists of me. Not only was it a fantastic childhood, it has helped me become a robust character. I can handle setbacks with ease and instead of complaining, solve things myself. By today's standards, it would be neglectful or even child abuse. It wasn't. It was paradise. Child abuse is imprisoning your own child. Not only obsessing over their security, also micro managing their day as if production units. As for children "performing", my deal was pretty simple and enjoyable. "Come home with good grades or there will be hell". Zero oversight, only the outcome counts. A fair deal if you ask me. No daily nagging about doing homework, none at all. They couldn't care less. I was fully free to deliver the desired outcome in any way I see fit. Maximum freedom, whilst also instilling responsibility from the start. To sum this up, the lack of parenting has helped me tremendously.