Saturday, August 2, 2014

Americans Mature later, some prefer to NEVER leave home.

(Pictures are from our drive from Maine to Mass)

I grew up in a parsonage. My dad was a fundamental conservative preacher with the Church of God denomination. Not many kids really like to attend church and as a preacher’s kid I attended church every time the doors were open, it was expected.

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There were times, such as revivals or visiting missionaries, that we gave up our rooms and slept on ‘pallets’, I never minded that, it was sorta like camping.

Also being a part of the pastors family you got some stories the average person did not get. Such as the personal stories of the missionaries i.e. Actually how they lived and some of the  ‘adventurous’ stuff that boys like. About the animals and tribes they has seen. Some evangelists were more interesting than others, Rev. Mahaffey had been a tank driver in WWII and I loved his stories.  So there were some positives about the parsonage.

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(Blurred by rain)

However over all, by 16 I had had enough church and needed to LEAVE (I thought,after all I was nearly grown).

I wasn’t alone in wanting to leave, many  boys did, and for many different reasons. In the cotton mill towns there wasn’t a great future, many boys and girls followed their mom and dad’s into the mills. Getting away meant two things as I grew up, the military where the pay was half that of the mills or head north to Detroit where the pay was twice that of the cotton mills. I, being a very smart dude chose the military.Surprised smile

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But by 19-20 I was a solid husband and becoming a father. (Church did give me a beautiful girl)  Now at 19-20 it seems kids still do not know what they want to do, some are not yet wanting to try. Many will stay home and on the parents insurance, health and auto as long as possible or as long as parents will allow it.

The standard policy of homes down south was when a family member got a job and lived at home, they started paying mom & Dad room and board. It taught responsibility and it matured one, much faster.

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(Sherry thought I should apply to Harvard)

Both our boys paid room and board when they went to work, they were not happy about it. But unknown to them their mama was putting the money back as sort of a savings account for them, when they did leave home she gave it to them.

Maturing later? lazy? Unable to focus?  or just happy and comfortable in the home nest?

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(This was a train station. I thought it was a church)

Don’t get me wrong, This is not meant judgmental. Each family lives their own lives and it is NONE of my business why, how or where, I am just making an observation, it seems we Americans are maturing at a later date.

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Above entrance to the RV park and below our home for 10 days.

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My wiper repair, tying the blade in place.

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Nite shipslog

PS:

LIfe is Like…..  Yeah I have been reading MA’s blog.

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Nice truck also good price… $13,500 (?)

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Enjoyed seeing this  beautiful all original 1929 Buick…

10 comments:

Rose said...

My son has a weekend place in Porter, Maine. It is so tranquil up there. I love it.

My daughter has a weekend place in Vermont......lovely there too.

I'm still a Boston girl and looking forward to getting out of Florida in the near future I hope to be closer to my children and family.

I love reading about your travels. I never really traveled much but I see so much thru your eyes and your words.

Hugs, to my favorite couple.

Woody said...

Nice Fix on the windshield wiper!
Never seen that done before!
you 2 take care and enjoy!!
Gary & Anna Mae

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Strange how things work. Every family does live differently for sure.So far none of mine have returned home except for visits. One never knows, home is here if they ever need it. The skies here today look pretty much like those in your pictures there. Rainy. Hope you are seeing some sunshine soon.

betty said...

I'm not sure if they are maturing older these days or there are less opportunities out there than used to be. Jobs are harder to come by, even if you've been to college, and some have no choice but to move back home to pay off college loans and try to find a job in their field. Son tried twice on his own to leave and twice came back :) (honestly I like him here and I know one time he will leave and not come back).

I know in my mom's family growing up, they all stayed home until they got married and I had a bachelor uncle who never moved out. So I think you are right, Jack, each family defines what is best for them :)

betty

Mevely317 said...

Your observations sound much like that I 'teethed' on, myself! I've no personal experience (offspring not wanting to fly the coop), but agree w/ their paying room and board. I think that is SO NEAT about Sherry putting back the boys' money and giving it to them as 'seed money' after the fact. I'm guessing the expressions on their faces were priceless?

Mevely317 said...

Your observations sound much like that I 'teethed' on, myself! I've no personal experience (offspring not wanting to fly the coop), but agree w/ their paying room and board. I think that is SO NEAT about Sherry putting back the boys' money and giving it to them as 'seed money' after the fact. I'm guessing the expressions on their faces were priceless?

Mevely317 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TARYTERRE said...

Opportunities are limited for many today. And staying home is a bridge to help them. Everybody then does what they can to make ends meet. And sometimes that is easier said than done.

shirl72 said...

Would you put a bid in for the
1929 Buick. Dad loved Buick's.
Well I am thankful for our good
up bringing with wonderful parents.
We all got out on our own to start
our new life, work, work, work.

Chatty Crone said...

I have to agree with you on this one - I think kids are maturing much later or not at all!!!! lol I think they are afraid of work and responsibility - me I couldn't wait!Maybe I should have.