For a while, I kept my key in a special compartment of my shoe, my kangaroo brand shoes made for that purpose, though we did have a key hidden in the backyard for emergencies. I'd walk home from school, let myself in, make a snack, watch Scooby-Doo, do my homework, and then play outside with the neighborhood kids until after dark. Good times indeed.
Oh man the infamous black and white Kangaroo shoes! Did they have them in the US too? I wonder what happened to that company, suddenly those shoes were gone.
Yes! The shoes with the little pocket. I forgot about those. I wore mine around my neck, then sometimes inside the bottom of my shoe, until my mom got me those pocket shoes with the velcro closure
Good days? They were the best days. As the youngest in a large family, I cherished my latchkey hours, coming home to an empty house, using the key I wore on a ribbon around my neck to let myself in, making myself a big old glass of Nestles chocolate milk (not Nesquick, I insisted on pure chocolate milk instead,) and settling down in front of the TV to watch reruns of I Dream of Genie and Gillian’s Island until the older kids eventually trickled in and started bossing me around. It was lovely, and a huge relief, to come into a quiet house with nobody around. And, because of stranger danger, I wasn’t allowed to invite friends over or open the door. So I think this is when I became a loner and independent. I also knew the code to the garage door, because I would occasionally forget my key. And until someone figured out to hide a key in one of the tool drawers, I could hang out in the garage for hours playing with random large toys, and fiddling around with tools all by myself. It was a magical time.
Yup...jimmying locks, popping windows, and defeating latch locks on sliding glass doors without breaking anything. And if you were lucky, the door inside the garage to the house was an outward swing door with exposed hinges - pop the hinge pins, carefully shimmy the door off (without crushing your digits or screwing up the door jamb), unlock the interior lock, re-hang the door, and go inside. We did what we had to do and it was all fair game as long as you didn't break anything. Because if you did, then that was your ass. Our parents (generally speaking) would rather that you kill yourself accidentally than damage the house or generate medical expenses during an attempted "break-in" of your own domicile.
My key was safety-pinned to the inside of my pocket every morning by my mother, until I reached 2nd grade and could be trusted to remember to do it myself. And the key was for the BACK door, so passersby wouldn't see a little kid unlocking a door by herself, marking me as a child who was home alone (i.e., vulnerable). Now I have younger adult friends who continually forget to lock their own doors. They grew up with at least one parent who was always at home. We are from different planets.
I still always test jiggle the door after I lock it just to be sure. I got so used to being the last one to leave and the first one to come back home that I wanted to make sure that the doors and windows were secured before I went to school. Then, when I got home, the first thing I'd do is patrol the house to make sure that everything was still kosher before I made myself a snack, then did my chores, then went to my room to do my homework. I had a telephone in my room so that I could answer it in case my mother called from work - my bedroom was upstairs and the other phone was downstairs in the kitchen (I unplugged my phone every night before bed. It was a cheap phone. There was no lever on the base to kill the ringer). We didn't have an answering machine and *69 didn't exist until 1992 (I was about half way through High School by then). But from 1983 to 1989 (6 to 12 years old), if I missed a call from the "warden", then I would surely be punished, and the drama would begin when she got home (i.e.; "Oh my god! I thought you were dead and I'd have to explain myself to the police...blah blah blah. Pick up the phone when I call you, or next time you're grounded for a week.") ....And yes, that means you better figure things out real fast and answer the damned phone... even if you were in the privy when in rang and were mid-pinch on a loaf. Things improved slightly as a teen. My sister was old enough to stay home alone, so I'd just not come home after school until dinner time. Note: I also bathed myself and did my own laundry since I was 7 years old. I did everything besides pay the bills and buy groceries, partly since child labor is illegal. Otherwise, I'm sure my mother would have made me get a job by the time I was 10. Thankfully, I eventually turned 18, received my diploma, joined the military, and gave myself a full pardon from her tyranny.
Our family lived way out in the sticks. We walked from the bus stop at the end of our gravel road to our house 3/4 mile thru the woods. We stayed inside at least 2 hrs until the parents got home from in town 30 min away. Our property was prime hunting land so sometimes we’d hear gunshots. That was scary. 99% of time everything was fine. We did our homework, watched reruns, ate snacks, and waited for our mom and dad.
I was one of the few lucky kids who’s mum was a stay at home mum. Until my little brother went to school by himself than mum started to work outside of the house but only half a day. So when we came home we had the obligatory cup of tea with a biscuit for 20-30 minutes and then we were allowed outside till dinner. For us back then those 20 minutes felt like a life time and a torture. After my brother died I look back at them fondly because it was a moment of rest where we had to tell what we did and learned at school.
I'm Millennial, but was in the over lap of Latch key days. I always kept up with my key and did not go out of the house until they got home. Very controlled and in order. 😂
We lived about half a mile from school, my little brother was in the afternoon session of kindergarten til 2pm so would walk himself home. I was in 3rd grade and got out at 3:10 so I would walk home all stressed out trying to walk as fast as possible to meet him. My older brother was a freshman and would walk 2 miles and would arrive 30 minutes later then had to go to work. Our dad had previously died of a heart attack so our mother worked as a short order cook and would get home at 5:30. It was stressful bc I was a worrier but it created a very deep bond feeling like we were the parents of our younger brother that lasts to this day. There is a positive even out of the negative.
As a youngest, I can assure you that your little brother was enjoying his me time until the older kids got home to start behaving like he was incapable. That feeling continues to this day where I’m perfectly capable, until one of my older siblings comes anywhere near me and suddenly I’m treated like a fool who can’t do anything without being micromanaged.
Being the youngest,,I was the last one outing the morning, the folks were gone by then, they usually left a list of chores that had to be done, being in a large family, other "latch kids" came over and hung out, did their homework etc...til their folks came home, or stayed and helped make dinner, if so they stayed and helped clean up
Can’t relate. Forgot my key many a time and simply found ways to bypass the home security features one way or another. And no kids I know actually stayed home and waited for our parents to get home, we simply knew we had to be back before they got home.
I walked home from school everyday from 1st grade when my brother moved onto middle school. It was roughly 6 blocks give or take. I had a key and opened the house and promptly ate a snack. I then locked the door upon going outside and ran about with my friends until dinner time...and wouldn't you know it? I'm still breathing. Wild, hey?
I was a latch key kid. It was controlled back then. The neighbor downstairs used to. Check on me and my brother. Couldn't touch the stove. Ate a lot of peanut butter and jelly and cold sandwiches 🥪😅
When I heard her describe what she thought “latch key kids” were, I was about to argue at the screen… very grateful some of us understand what it meant.
and there times when you were not allowed in and to stay outside and wait till they got home. many glorious hours of running free or if it was raining you had to learn how to provide your own shelter.
I remember if you saw one of your neighbours and they didn't have their key and their parents weren't home, you told them come into my house leave a note for your parents so they know where you are. Then give them something to eat and drink and do our homework. They wouldn't mind on nice days but on bad days you'd get them in before the cold or rain got them. Everyone knew Everyone so if you saw a kid outside the house you knew that they couldn't get in and the parents were not home. Happened many a child. Myself included, new front and back door and mother gave me the wrong key couldn't get in and started to rain my neighbour bless her told me get in here now and have a nice cup of tea while you wait then give me dinner and you didn't dare refuse you just said thank you and offered to help clean up after.
Things were different back then. As a latchkey kid I just rode my bike to different places or hang out at my neighbors. I spent many nights eating dinner at my neighbors since my parents would come home late.
I had to depend on the big sis or brother to get in the house because I was ADD & the youngest child out of three. Also, step-dad was a State Trooper. So we were very cautious of strangers. That 🔑 was a very big responsibility that I wasn't old enough to carry at age 7.
I had a single mom for awhile growing up and I kept my key in my wallet or we had one hidden. I remember in 5th grade I came home way to late after the street light came on. My mom's boyfriend at the time was sent to find me. I was brought home and my mom screamed at me and probably smacked me a few times. Then she made me sleep in my sleeping bag on the porch all night.
Until I moved I'd never took keys out of my car. We never locked our doors or even took our keys inside. I had to be trained extensively to not leave keys in cars for years when I moved to city. When we had our first apartment it was like prison because my poor daughter had to ask permission to go outside. I
had a keychain myself.... had to clean the house and have dinner ready for my lil sis and mother by the time she got home from work when i was in my teens as a smaller child my mothers work hours gave her the free time to let me avoid needing a key
Carried my key in a loop of cloth around my belt. It was my responsibility to get my brother and I into the house and lock the door behind us. God forbid the magic was lost or forgotten as dad did not believe in hide a key. Lost key = grounded for a week. Forgot my key = a stern speaking to and a Saturday of extra chores.
Latch key kids at my school when I was in elementary school. Literally ran around all day with a shoelace tied around their neck. with the f***ing front door housekey on it!!! duh
I grew up in the Bay Area. We’d had multiple attempted breakins that the family poodle chased off with her incessant barking. Our doors were locked and bolted every single moment, and I was taught to do the same when I was home alone.
That and how that micureacome (misspelled sorry. I remember that name. I was too young to spell it) iodine and Vaseline fixed everything from cuts and scratches to broken bones. "Come over here and bring me the Vaseline from the bathroom. I told you bout wrestling with those alligator. I'm try to watch my stories". If while reading that, you heard your grandmother's voice. You know exactly what I'm talking bout.
Ah, yes. The magical throat-numbing spray that would destroy all sense of taste for hours if it was aimed without utmost care. Yet, somehow, it only provided temporary relief when it came into contact with my behemoth tonsils. I do not remember The Time Before I took over chloraseptic duties for myself. I became an expert, as I contracted strep throat and/or tonsillitis at least once a year. There were times when the dreaded strep throat coincided with bronchitis. On those most special of occasions, I got to stay home and catch up on The Next Generation reruns on TNT. 💙
Ahh, yessss...... goofy faces & stoplight puppet shows for the vehicle behind you from the way-back seat. If they were a mean audience & shot you the bird, then you'd give them the moon. 🍑
Omg. I miss my childhood. Tell the tale of "pay what you owe" when you acted up in public and that bottom got lit that night. Or Stand there and take your punishment cause if you ran or tried to cover your butt... I won't spoil it incase you want to tell it. (As a small favor. If you do one of these. Can you use tge lord of the rings battle songs ;)
So nowadays are there "Smart Lock kids?" They just use their phones or a code to unlock the door and when they go inside, the whole house is covered by security cameras and one of those roving amazon security ring camera bots so their parents can keep an eye of them? Or do all parents just pay for after-school care? I'm a millennial parent and my kid goes to after school care, probably learns more there than in actual school. 😅
I actually had a kid tell me my generation was adverse to new technology Lmfao I lived through only stove top to cooking with microwaves 8track tapes Cassette tapes CD’s No computer to wearing one on my hip We aren’t arent adverse to green energy schemes because we don’t understand or even trust the tech (we had windmills back in the day) or analog wind generator if your talking to the children No it’s not the tech we don’t trust it’s just that we see the scheme for what it is and reject it because none of the important questions have been answered Hooking windmills to generators isn’t new tech it’s older than our generation It’s how do you reasonably harness the power you are generating so that there is always power The electrical grid is older than our grandparents and homes that would need 400amps service are only built to provide 200amp and that’s only In newer homes as the national average service rating is only for 100amp service
Not only stay home but no one was to be over either.
For a while, I kept my key in a special compartment of my shoe, my kangaroo brand shoes made for that purpose, though we did have a key hidden in the backyard for emergencies. I'd walk home from school, let myself in, make a snack, watch Scooby-Doo, do my homework, and then play outside with the neighborhood kids until after dark. Good times indeed.
Oh man the infamous black and white Kangaroo shoes! Did they have them in the US too? I wonder what happened to that company, suddenly those shoes were gone.
Yes! The shoes with the little pocket. I forgot about those. I wore mine around my neck, then sometimes inside the bottom of my shoe, until my mom got me those pocket shoes with the velcro closure
Good days? They were the best days. As the youngest in a large family, I cherished my latchkey hours, coming home to an empty house, using the key I wore on a ribbon around my neck to let myself in, making myself a big old glass of Nestles chocolate milk (not Nesquick, I insisted on pure chocolate milk instead,) and settling down in front of the TV to watch reruns of I Dream of Genie and Gillian’s Island until the older kids eventually trickled in and started bossing me around.
It was lovely, and a huge relief, to come into a quiet house with nobody around. And, because of stranger danger, I wasn’t allowed to invite friends over or open the door. So I think this is when I became a loner and independent.
I also knew the code to the garage door, because I would occasionally forget my key. And until someone figured out to hide a key in one of the tool drawers, I could hang out in the garage for hours playing with random large toys, and fiddling around with tools all by myself. It was a magical time.
I was a latch key kid. Came home did chores, heated up my dinner, and did my homework.
As a child that was ADD before it was cool I often times lost the magical key. I then learned the necessary skills of a cat burglar.
Yup...jimmying locks, popping windows, and defeating latch locks on sliding glass doors without breaking anything. And if you were lucky, the door inside the garage to the house was an outward swing door with exposed hinges - pop the hinge pins, carefully shimmy the door off (without crushing your digits or screwing up the door jamb), unlock the interior lock, re-hang the door, and go inside. We did what we had to do and it was all fair game as long as you didn't break anything. Because if you did, then that was your ass. Our parents (generally speaking) would rather that you kill yourself accidentally than damage the house or generate medical expenses during an attempted "break-in" of your own domicile.
My key was safety-pinned to the inside of my pocket every morning by my mother, until I reached 2nd grade and could be trusted to remember to do it myself. And the key was for the BACK door, so passersby wouldn't see a little kid unlocking a door by herself, marking me as a child who was home alone (i.e., vulnerable).
Now I have younger adult friends who continually forget to lock their own doors. They grew up with at least one parent who was always at home. We are from different planets.
I still always test jiggle the door after I lock it just to be sure. I got so used to being the last one to leave and the first one to come back home that I wanted to make sure that the doors and windows were secured before I went to school. Then, when I got home, the first thing I'd do is patrol the house to make sure that everything was still kosher before I made myself a snack, then did my chores, then went to my room to do my homework. I had a telephone in my room so that I could answer it in case my mother called from work - my bedroom was upstairs and the other phone was downstairs in the kitchen (I unplugged my phone every night before bed. It was a cheap phone. There was no lever on the base to kill the ringer).
We didn't have an answering machine and *69 didn't exist until 1992 (I was about half way through High School by then). But from 1983 to 1989 (6 to 12 years old), if I missed a call from the "warden", then I would surely be punished, and the drama would begin when she got home (i.e.; "Oh my god! I thought you were dead and I'd have to explain myself to the police...blah blah blah. Pick up the phone when I call you, or next time you're grounded for a week.") ....And yes, that means you better figure things out real fast and answer the damned phone... even if you were in the privy when in rang and were mid-pinch on a loaf. Things improved slightly as a teen. My sister was old enough to stay home alone, so I'd just not come home after school until dinner time.
Note: I also bathed myself and did my own laundry since I was 7 years old. I did everything besides pay the bills and buy groceries, partly since child labor is illegal. Otherwise, I'm sure my mother would have made me get a job by the time I was 10. Thankfully, I eventually turned 18, received my diploma, joined the military, and gave myself a full pardon from her tyranny.
Wow
Wow. You started young. I was in 3rd grade when I started. I think things were safer in the 80s. My neighbor rarely locked their doors.
Our family lived way out in the sticks. We walked from the bus stop at the end of our gravel road to our house 3/4 mile thru the woods. We stayed inside at least 2 hrs until the parents got home from in town 30 min away. Our property was prime hunting land so sometimes we’d hear gunshots. That was scary. 99% of time everything was fine. We did our homework, watched reruns, ate snacks, and waited for our mom and dad.
I always love the way he ends his videos, with that 10,000 yard stare with a look of fondness for nostalgia.
I was one of the few lucky kids who’s mum was a stay at home mum. Until my little brother went to school by himself than mum started to work outside of the house but only half a day. So when we came home we had the obligatory cup of tea with a biscuit for 20-30 minutes and then we were allowed outside till dinner. For us back then those 20 minutes felt like a life time and a torture. After my brother died I look back at them fondly because it was a moment of rest where we had to tell what we did and learned at school.
I'm Millennial, but was in the over lap of Latch key days. I always kept up with my key and did not go out of the house until they got home. Very controlled and in order. 😂
We lived about half a mile from school, my little brother was in the afternoon session of kindergarten til 2pm so would walk himself home. I was in 3rd grade and got out at 3:10 so I would walk home all stressed out trying to walk as fast as possible to meet him. My older brother was a freshman and would walk 2 miles and would arrive 30 minutes later then had to go to work. Our dad had previously died of a heart attack so our mother worked as a short order cook and would get home at 5:30. It was stressful bc I was a worrier but it created a very deep bond feeling like we were the parents of our younger brother that lasts to this day. There is a positive even out of the negative.
As a youngest, I can assure you that your little brother was enjoying his me time until the older kids got home to start behaving like he was incapable. That feeling continues to this day where I’m perfectly capable, until one of my older siblings comes anywhere near me and suddenly I’m treated like a fool who can’t do anything without being micromanaged.
Setting the record straight, Gen X let's go 💪👍😉
Being the youngest,,I was the last one outing the morning, the folks were gone by then, they usually left a list of chores that had to be done, being in a large family, other "latch kids" came over and hung out, did their homework etc...til their folks came home, or stayed and helped make dinner, if so they stayed and helped clean up
Can’t relate. Forgot my key many a time and simply found ways to bypass the home security features one way or another. And no kids I know actually stayed home and waited for our parents to get home, we simply knew we had to be back before they got home.
I walked home from school everyday from 1st grade when my brother moved onto middle school. It was roughly 6 blocks give or take. I had a key and opened the house and promptly ate a snack. I then locked the door upon going outside and ran about with my friends until dinner time...and wouldn't you know it? I'm still breathing. Wild, hey?
My thanks for the clarification; why (oh why) would people think that latchkey meant an open door? Oh, they never thought to ask us. Okay ...
I was a latch key kid. It was controlled back then. The neighbor downstairs used to. Check on me and my brother. Couldn't touch the stove. Ate a lot of peanut butter and jelly and cold sandwiches 🥪😅
Excellent telling of the latchkey kids my daughters were born into that generation and they are doing just fine 🎉❤😊
When I heard her describe what she thought “latch key kids” were, I was about to argue at the screen… very grateful some of us understand what it meant.
I fucking LOVED being a latchkey kid. It was so much fun. Airsoft battles in the neighborhood type stuff. Born 1995.
and there times when you were not allowed in and to stay outside and wait till they got home. many glorious hours of running free or if it was raining you had to learn how to provide your own shelter.
Talk bout the military
I remember if you saw one of your neighbours and they didn't have their key and their parents weren't home, you told them come into my house leave a note for your parents so they know where you are. Then give them something to eat and drink and do our homework. They wouldn't mind on nice days but on bad days you'd get them in before the cold or rain got them. Everyone knew Everyone so if you saw a kid outside the house you knew that they couldn't get in and the parents were not home. Happened many a child. Myself included, new front and back door and mother gave me the wrong key couldn't get in and started to rain my neighbour bless her told me get in here now and have a nice cup of tea while you wait then give me dinner and you didn't dare refuse you just said thank you and offered to help clean up after.
Things were different back then. As a latchkey kid I just rode my bike to different places or hang out at my neighbors. I spent many nights eating dinner at my neighbors since my parents would come home late.
@Wasabi9111 was totally normal to go hang out in your neighbours house if your parents weren't home or you forgot your key ect not like that anymore
That key was like gold and if you lost it you were SOL or you just went over to the other latchkey kids house 😂😂😂
I had to depend on the big sis or brother to get in the house because I was ADD & the youngest child out of three. Also, step-dad was a State Trooper. So we were very cautious of strangers. That 🔑 was a very big responsibility that I wasn't old enough to carry at age 7.
I had a single mom for awhile growing up and I kept my key in my wallet or we had one hidden. I remember in 5th grade I came home way to late after the street light came on. My mom's boyfriend at the time was sent to find me. I was brought home and my mom screamed at me and probably smacked me a few times. Then she made me sleep in my sleeping bag on the porch all night.
Until I moved I'd never took keys out of my car. We never locked our doors or even took our keys inside. I had to be trained extensively to not leave keys in cars for years when I moved to city. When we had our first apartment it was like prison because my poor daughter had to ask permission to go outside. I
had a keychain myself.... had to clean the house and have dinner ready for my lil sis and mother by the time she got home from work when i was in my teens as a smaller child my mothers work hours gave her the free time to let me avoid needing a key
As a latchkey kid, my parents taught us how to jimmy a door or window, just in case we get locked out
Carried my key in a loop of cloth around my belt. It was my responsibility to get my brother and I into the house and lock the door behind us. God forbid the magic was lost or forgotten as dad did not believe in hide a key. Lost key = grounded for a week. Forgot my key = a stern speaking to and a Saturday of extra chores.
Latch key kids at my school when I was in elementary school. Literally ran around all day with a shoelace tied around their neck. with the f***ing front door housekey on it!!! duh
In the 60’s the doors were never locked, not even at night. It was that different back then.
I grew up in the Bay Area. We’d had multiple attempted breakins that the family poodle chased off with her incessant barking. Our doors were locked and bolted every single moment, and I was taught to do the same when I was home alone.
💛💜💛
That clip was very scary
Please tell the tale of chloraseptic spray. I don't know about you but my mom's aim was the worst
That and how that micureacome (misspelled sorry. I remember that name. I was too young to spell it) iodine and Vaseline fixed everything from cuts and scratches to broken bones. "Come over here and bring me the Vaseline from the bathroom. I told you bout wrestling with those alligator. I'm try to watch my stories". If while reading that, you heard your grandmother's voice. You know exactly what I'm talking bout.
Ah, yes. The magical throat-numbing spray that would destroy all sense of taste for hours if it was aimed without utmost care. Yet, somehow, it only provided temporary relief when it came into contact with my behemoth tonsils.
I do not remember The Time Before I took over chloraseptic duties for myself. I became an expert, as I contracted strep throat and/or tonsillitis at least once a year. There were times when the dreaded strep throat coincided with bronchitis. On those most special of occasions, I got to stay home and catch up on The Next Generation reruns on TNT. 💙
Safety pinned inside my left pocket
We need a tail of the station wagon. The sleeping in back of it on trips and the play area it contained. All the fun before seat belt laws.
Ahh, yessss...... goofy faces & stoplight puppet shows for the vehicle behind you from the way-back seat.
If they were a mean audience & shot you the bird, then you'd give them the moon. 🍑
under a rock or on the top shelf in the garage
Omg. I miss my childhood. Tell the tale of "pay what you owe" when you acted up in public and that bottom got lit that night.
Or
Stand there and take your punishment cause if you ran or tried to cover your butt... I won't spoil it incase you want to tell it. (As a small favor. If you do one of these. Can you use tge lord of the rings battle songs ;)
So nowadays are there "Smart Lock kids?" They just use their phones or a code to unlock the door and when they go inside, the whole house is covered by security cameras and one of those roving amazon security ring camera bots so their parents can keep an eye of them? Or do all parents just pay for after-school care? I'm a millennial parent and my kid goes to after school care, probably learns more there than in actual school. 😅
I actually had a kid tell me my generation was adverse to new technology
Lmfao I lived through only stove top to cooking with microwaves
8track tapes
Cassette tapes
CD’s
No computer to wearing one on my hip
We aren’t arent adverse to green energy schemes because we don’t understand or even trust the tech (we had windmills back in the day) or analog wind generator if your talking to the children
No it’s not the tech we don’t trust it’s just that we see the scheme for what it is and reject it because none of the important questions have been answered
Hooking windmills to generators isn’t new tech it’s older than our generation
It’s how do you reasonably harness the power you are generating so that there is always power
The electrical grid is older than our grandparents and homes that would need 400amps service are only built to provide 200amp and that’s only In newer homes as the national average service rating is only for 100amp service