Iam a baby boomer, how many of you  have been told the stories of how our parents made it through the great?
357478
Guess I am a baby boomer, too.  Yes . . . my grandparents told me about the hardships they endured during the great depression.  My parents were lucky . . . they lived with my grandparents and had no hardships . . . because they mooched off my grandparents.  I remember some pretty tough times in my life . . . even though it was after the great depression  I remember having only two dresses, and my grandmother (with whom I lived) washed one every night so that I would have a clean one to wear to school the next day.  I also remember eating lots and lots of dough products because flour was cheap.  I remember the outhouse . . . I remember living in a house with no electricity . . . I remember going to a one-room school house.  All of the things that I remember and have been told I probably have used to make my life better.  But, there are also strange quirks I have developed.  I hoard things because I am afraid if I give them up I'll never have them again.  I eat way too much food because I remember when I was hungry.  I refuse to wear denim jeans because I associate them with poverty as that is all my grandparents and parents wore when we were on the farm and barely making a living.  So, psychologically, I guess it had more of an effect on me that I ever thought . . . until you asked this question.
491143
I have been since I was a kid. Thanks to my grandpaw.
1163347
I could tell you stories till you beg me to stop. Most children go to State homes-they are not adopted and many do not have family here to take care of them. A few in numbers do fine.\n State homes--you would not believe what happens to many here-especially if they go to Foster homes. I listened to stories on a daily work basis--they are sad. Visit a home and ask them. 8 out of 10-wish they were not left here. Sad but true. I won't go into what happens to most-because of adult content. Oprah once said when she interview some--it is one of America's dirty secrets. Most parents leave them for selfish reasons-I heard them too. they hope they will all benefit. If Mother's would listen they would not leave their children with other people.  I don't know where you are headed with this-but yes go talk to the children who grew up on the State-there are many-more than are left with family. \n That is the bad side-but there are some good stories-but if you weight them out -the worst happens.\n So who have babies and have kept them here--how many are doing very well. Few in numbers I bet.\n\nCan you hear a pin drop  in here?
567025
My growing-up years was a hard one and I’m always trying to be strong and carry on.\nMy Dad made little money and he didn’t treat my mum very well and they often quarreled since I was 3 or 4 years old. That was all the fault of my dad I was clear. My mum wept very often hiding from me but I knew that most of the time. She never thought of getting divorce with Dad forshe \nendured to avoid leaving me growing in a broken family. All those made a very miserable childhood for me. And hard time came when I was about 18 and got good grades ready to enter the gate of college. Dad barely make money and I need it to pay the tuition. During the 4 years of my \ncollege time ,my mom worked very hard for the whole family and I also did part time jobs as a tutor ,a translator and sometimes also waitress. And in the third year of my college ,my ex-boyfriend, my first love, who \nhad been with me for 7 years and stayed in New York for 5 years left me.Suffering all those, I also \nthought that God hated me and wanted to desert me and that almostpushed me to commit suicide.\nBut now I manage to lead a happy life because I'm convinced that those sufferings are good for my character and they broaden view of human inner world. Now i become optimistic and get a better understanding of 'love' to love the world and people more
628892
I believe it might all just be the different circumstances that all families go through.If we all had money and free time to have fun all day long we'll find a problem with that!I had a great childhood.I'm the baby out of 5 and My dad was an alcholic and by the time i was growing up my dad was in AA and my mom was a counselar and my life was peechykeen until he started back drinking when my bro/sis went to college and armed forces,he and my mom split up.Make a long story short we had to move to another sideof town and I got in alot of fights because I was from a different side of town and I eventually started being bad without a dad around and I started hanging out with the wrong crowd and started selling drugs and smoking pot.After about 10 years I  started to look at life and realize that I had way more to offer the world besides what I was dishing,I got up with one of my friends from jr high and we got married after being together for about 12 years and all we have a great relationship.We both had different upbringing mine laid back hers strict.All I have to talk about is the good times that we had.Allwe did was ride bikes and play cops and robbers play on the top/back of garages,play with fireworks chase girls etc.I would love to be a kid again.
1102037
Yes, but only after several years of hell, even contiplating suicide.  But I had a very strong influence in my life.  My mother and my father passed away from cancer a couple of months apart.  I was always a hermit so I had nothing going, my job sucked.  But I thought at my parents suffering and how strong they were eevn in the most painful moments.  I am glad i stuck it out because I have met the love of my life and I just got a new job that I am looking forward to begin.  There is no magic solution, unless you think you need medication, it did nothing for me.  I just tried to hoping something better would come.  Hope that helps.
317873
I can only relay what my parents told me about my great grandparents.\nThey all landed on Ellis Island with the clothes on their backs.  They did not receive any welfare money or food stamps or free medical care.  They did not fly their country of origin flags, nor did they have t shirts that said i love mexico.  They were just glad at the thought of enjoying the American dream.  They learned how to speak English gladly.  They obeyed the laws and took their citizenship test proudly.  Most of them farmed this land and gave birth to the greatest generation ever, my parents.
604318
My husband actually had to do this for his parents 50th wedding anniversary.  We got alot of input afterwards from his parents as to what parts they liked the best.  It seems they enjoyed hearing about what they all did as a family throughout the years, such as family vacations, special Christmases, that sort of thing.  My husband said a few humorous things regarding all that too.  They also liked hearing how they were a good example of what love and marriage is all about.  I think once you start bringing up all your good memories, your speech will practically write itself.  Good Luck!
382705
The few I have met (when I was in high school) were just lonely. Sure they had a house bigger than mine, drove nicer cars, and had better clothes. But I had a mom who was there for me at the drop of a hat and they didn't.Their parents were doctors and lawyers and had to work all the time. So when I look back, sure my life probably would have been a hell of a lot easier, but I wouldn't have had the closeness of my parents.
580131
I am very grateful to my parents for bringing me up properly to respect my elders,to know about manners,to learn alot about different cultures and society's,having the opportunity to live in different countrys and most importantly when I became a monster during my teenage years they remained loving,when things in my adult life turned into a mess they had the right advise and also later on I realised they knew what they where talking about.\n\nSure there where times we did not get on but I always remember that they will not be around for ever love them while they are with you because you will miss them when they leave.I tell them you love them especially as they get older.
416349
Tom Brokaw calls them "The Greatest Generation" as they survived the Great Depression, WWII and raised baby boomers
318334
Books, and my grandparents they were awesome. My parents were worthless too, kinda still are. I learned most things by observing others and through my friends.
868281
I'm not really a mother, obviously but I am a single father.  That has changed my life more than anything in the world could have.  I'll be quite honest, before my kids were born I was a bit of a partier and I really didn't take much seriously.  When my oldest was born I was only 18 but he really taught me there was something to life other than staying out late drinking with friends.  And because his mother couldn't see that and she didn't want to be held back from the life I gave up, I had to and still today have to play the part of mum and dad.  \n\nBeing both a mother and a father to my kids has turned me around so I'm not pretty much the polar opposite of how I was before they were around.  I learn something new from them every day and I think and hope I'm becoming further and further away from who I used to be.  Being a parent has taught me to put them first instead of myself.  I'm so lucky to have each of them around, they've all changed my life in so many ways that it isn't possible to write.  I'm sure every parent says this but it really is true.
883674
A mother and I grew up to be that.
565693
Used to,they are gone now.I lived near them by choice.As they got older,they  started needing my help.It was only fair to help my parents as they aged and hope that someone will help me if I live to be old.Not all parents are good to their children,but mine were good to me and I paid them back as they aged and was with both of them when they died. I have no regrets.Just didn't want to live next door to them,sometimes one of them would get into my personal business.Had to move 20 miles away.Close,but not too close.I would tell you that living close ,especially how dangerous things are getting in this world.As they age, they will need your help in more ways than one.Live as close as you can,but try to keep your life to yourself.My parents always cared for my well being,sometimes too much.Had to have that little bit of distance so I could live my life my way.
90542
I remember being a teenager, and always running out the door going somewhere with my friends.  I loved my parents, but didn't spend much time with them.  They are gone now, and I wish I had spent more time with them when we were all young.
57224
My parents were amazing in so many ways. My mother has passed, but her best quality as a parent was her constant "interest." She always took a genuine interest in all that I did, all that I thought, all that I felt. She was a great communicator. She talked to me about everything and encouraged me to voice how I felt about things. She took an interest which showed me just how dearly she loved me. When you are in those adolescent years and your parents talk and talk to you and question this and that and so want to take an interest in your life, most kids just want to blow them off. Because my mom had always communicated with me like this from an early early age, I wasn't foreign to it. Therefore, during the "wonder years" I shared with her more than I believe most kids do. That helped us get through the tough times. It also taught me how to be a parent. My daughter is almost 13 and we talk like best friends. I have to thank my mom for this. Even though she never got to meet her grandchildren, she'd be sooo proud of them! This was such an awesome question.........thank you for making me think of her. Coincidentally.....yesterday was her birthday so she was on my mind all day. I'm so glad I got a chance to tell some people about her. :)