When we were young .

[Oma]

Have you changed much since you were young ?

I have ,
When I was young I didn't suffer fools easily and had a very bad temper ,
I was strong and would tackle anything head on and wouldn't ask for help from anyone ,

I had to be strong , My Father was ill and knew he wouldn't be around , I was the last one at home so he taught me from 13 to Decorate , basic DIY , how to change a light fitting plug etc
He dies when I was 15 and my Mother went to pieces so I was running the house and paying bills ,
I then became a Mother at 16 so had another little life to care for , I had to stand up for myself and her .

As I became older the things that annoyed me and I lost my temper with didn't seem as important and I mellowed .

Now although I wont be walked on I am so much calmer and I can let a lot of things go over my head

B on the other hand has always been the calm charming easy going one who could get me out of a temper with laughter , he hasn't changed at all just become nicer

The only person I ever let get the better of me was my MIL for many years she was a bully , I finally stood up to her and now wont take her insults , Well sometimes but I can now giggle about them as she is the same with everyone

I dont regret how I was as it makes you the person you are today doesn't it

[Daisy]

Oma - what an interesting post. We have much in common as I was an only child and when my dad died when I was 18 I took over his role. It was complicated by the fact that he was in the process of selling his shop and had just bought a bungalow for him and mum to semi-retire. So I took over the sale/purchase process, as well as the other things he'd always done. It was sometimes hard for people to take me seriously - a teenager in a dress with 8 petticoats!! I wasn't very tolerant either. I also knew I had to earn a decent living to keep a roof over our heads.

I think it taught me not to panic or worry about things too much, but I found it hard to be nice to people who annoyed me. I hope I've got more patience now and am more able to see someone else's point of view.

You're right - life shapes you into the person you become.

[Gemini]

Very interesting topic Oma!

I don't have time to do it justice now, but I will tomorrow

[Plantaholic]

That's interesting Oma, you certainly had to step up to the mark at a young age.

I don't think I have changed, others might not agree. I was the youngest of six children and being a war baby, most of my young life was growing up with shortages. I know I didn't appreciate how hard my mother worked and I should have helped her more

[Daisy]

Plant - I don't think any of us realised what hard work it was bringing up a family in those days. We do rather take our modern, warm, easy homes for granted - even simple things like steam irons were unheard of!

Were you aware of shortages during the war - or of the war itself? I clearly remember rationing and shortages after the war, but perhaps that's because of my parents' grocery shop. Sorting and counting ration coupons was one of my jobs!

By the way, Oma - I meant to add, that I definitely couldn't have coped with motherhood like you did. That's a whole other level of responsibility and love. xx

[Oma]

Daisy best time of my life I loved every moment , I had to grow up very quickly but dont regret a single day

[Daisy]

Oma - You were (and still are) a good mum. I seriously don't think I could have been a loving and responsible mother at 16. I struggled 13 years later, so perhaps it's as well I wasn't a young mum.

[Nanto2girls]

I have changed over the years.
When i was first married and a young mum,i wouldn't say boo to a goose.
Now, i will stand my ground.
Otherwise i don't think i've changed much.

[Gemini]

Regret nothing Oma, you are fabulous mum and person!

I was as a child, and still am to an extent, that strange mixture of being shy and disliking being the centre of attention,and being sociable and liking to be amongst people!
My need to be amongst people made me push myself out of my comfort zone in my teens and do things. When you become a parent, as I did at 21, you have to stand up for yourself and them, so you can't be a shy wilting violet can you.

So I would say that that is the main change in me, from a quiet shy child who wouldn't stick up for herself to someone who whilst disliking confrontation will always stick up for herself and those she loves (and anyone else who needs it!)

[Lizzie48]

When we were young! I was a happy, friendly and helpful child, I would help my mother with housework, shopping, cooking etc, she had a very bad time with the change and wouldn't go out of the house for about 5 or 6 years, my eldest brother and sister were both working so I did all the shopping etc. When I started the secondary school my mother was in the hospital with a rupture, she had to stay in a fortnight at the time, I got permission to leave school earlier to catch the bus, I would do my shopping on the way home then cook tea for the family, thinking of it now, I was only 11 or 12 at the time and was able to do the house keeping, cooking etc.

Then life happened, that young happy girl changed! I came to live here, maybe it was a way of escaping what I had been through, maybe jumping from the frying pan into the fire!!! But, I survived it all.

[Daisy]

Lizzie, what you haven't said speaks volumes, but whatever life has thrown at you, you had that happy childhood to support you and perhaps give you strength and confidence to cope with the things that happened. It also sounds as though you faced your problems head on and coped with them - I think you must be a very strong lady. xx

[Lizzie48]

Thanks Daisy, I have had to be strong!!!xxx I did have a very happy childhood, plenty of friends, I enjoyed school. I would do the shopping etc for neighbours, always willing to help. I have never lost that, I am still usually willing to help.

[Oma]

Lizzie what doesn't kill you makes you stronger so they say and I think its true ,

I have coped with things in life I never dreamed I could like many of us ,
All we can do is our best and you have that's the main thing

[Daisy]

Lizzie - I can imagine you are always ready to lend a hand - your neighbour's ebike is a good example.

[Lizzie48]

Oma, that is true, thanks. All we can do it "start all over again" and carry on.xxx