LOL... I did all these things and was born and grew up in the 80's. My best friend was my black lab, who was my protector, and we played outside all day, swam in mud puddles, ran in the cotton field, and whatever else we could do! I grew up in the country and loved it! My mom never let me watch tv unless it was Saturday morning cartoons and that was it! My mom and I would sit on the front porch and she would teach me nursey rhymes or numbers and have me repeat them to her while we wanted on my Dad to get home from work. I honestly think that why I have such a good memory. Funny you posted this blog...my husband and I were talking about his same subject the other day and children playing outside was one of our answers. Also the fact that children had chores, etc. I know that when or if I have kids, they are not having a cell phone a age 8, no video games...etc, if for some reason I allow that, it will be on a time limit and the computer will be on a time limit, no tv's in their bedrooms. I will be such an "uncool" mom!