# Childhood experiences you never had **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 29, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999 "2003-04-29T21:04:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Optihut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/edb3f5/32.png) [@Optihut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Optihut)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/21 "2003-04-30T10:40:53Z")
I never climbed a tree ☹ ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/22 "2003-04-30T12:22:22Z")
Never : -lost my wisdom teeth -rolled with a gang -worked as a runner for the local drug lord -been convicted ---
**Author:** ![catnoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@catnoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catnoe)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/23 "2003-04-30T12:42:18Z")
-Never had braces -Never had my wisdom teeth pulled (dentist wanted them when I was 13 as a precaution, said he could have them when they became a problem -Never had my tonsils out -Didn’t have a broken bone (little toe bone doesn’t count) till I was 26? -Was never molested -Was never part of a ‘group’ of friends -Never been in a fight -Never ran away from home -Never did drugs (waited till I was ‘legal’ to try them) -Never smoked (ditto - above) -Never drank alcohol (see above) -Never skipped school I was your basic ‘every mother’s dream’ child, till I turned 18. ---
**Author:** ![chukhung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@chukhung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chukhung)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/24 "2003-04-30T13:53:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by haardvark \* > \*\*Never had chicken pox as a kid. I even remember my Mom trying to expose me to kids in day care, Kindergarten etc. but it never took. > > Instead, I got 'em 4 years ago, when I was 27. **I do not endorse this as a chicken pox strategy**.\*\* For those of us who didn’t get chicken pox as children, there is now a vaccine available. More information is available here, [http://dermatology.about.com/library/blchickenvacc.htm](http://dermatology.about.com/library/blchickenvacc.htm). Personally, I decided to get vaccinated before I took a trip in which I knew I had a good chance of being exposed to kids with chicken pox. I had very few if any side effects from the vaccine and, from **haardvark** ’s description, it sounds like I made the right choice. ---
**Author:** ![Sengkelat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Sengkelat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sengkelat)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/25 "2003-04-30T14:28:53Z")
Never had my wisdom teeth out. Never drank or smoked illicitly. Never sneaked out of the house at night. Never pulled and pranks. Never broke a bone. Never had the big sex talk. (My mom, though, whever I was going to hang out with a female friend, would remind me of the importance of condoms. She has no idea that I remained a virgin until my 20’s) Never had a date, either. Hmm…now I sound pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/26 "2003-04-30T15:04:32Z")
Some of mine have already been covered, the biggie being **summer camp** (or camping in general–to this day I’ve never been camping). I was fascinated with summer camp. And boarding school. And moving/changing schools. And child abuse. And living in an apartment. And having divorced parents. And getting to wear a cast. I used to devour books as a kid about kids who had these experiences, because I didn’t. Then my mom caught me reading a book about an abused child (I think it was called, “Don’t Hurt Laurie!” or something), and read me the riot act about how I shouldn’t be reading such books because I couldn’t relate. I mean, she was really upset. So yeah, I did have _weird_ parents, but they never got divorced or abused me (hell, they didn’t even spank me). ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/27 "2003-04-30T15:10:28Z")
Never went to camp. Never went camping in the woods over night. Never went hunting or target shooting. Never could own a dog (“pets are for Weaklings; no son of mine is a weakling”) Never had an allowance. Never got to go to Catholic School (“But it would be good for me Dad” (…besides, all the girls I like are in Catholic School)) Never got to build/own a car. (“I’ll not have a Junk Heap in My Driveway. the day you can buy one from a Car Dealer in Cash is the Day you can have one here.”) Never could have friends over. (“Go play at their house.”) ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/28 "2003-04-30T15:12:57Z")
Never went to camp. Never wore braces. Never joined Brownies, Campfire Girls, or Girl Scouts. Never had a light on my bicycle. Never went to prom. Never got an F. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/29 "2003-04-30T15:39:24Z")
Never went trick-or-treating. Didn’t attend kindergarten. Never had a birthday party (or even a cake) Never drank, smoked, drugged, or had a date. Didn’t know what an “easter egg hunt” was until I was in my 20s. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/30 "2003-04-30T15:54:14Z")
I have a few to add: [ul] [li]We never took a “family vacation”. My parents owned a business (and still do) so we could never be away from the house for more than a weekend. The farthest place we ever went was about 200 miles away.[/li][li]I never broke any bones, probably because I never played any sports.[/li][li]I never did drugs or alocohol, never smoked a cigarette or anything else that’s smokable.[/li][li]Never did anything remotely sexually related with others (play “doctor”, “spin the bottle”, etc.)[/li][li]I never took anything apart to see how it worked.[/li][li]I never took the family car out for a joyride (it was a piece of shit, anyway).[/li][li]I never moved away from my school or my (few) friends (although in retrospect this would have been a good thing so I could have gotten a fresh start in another place).[/li][li]I never broke a window.[/li][/ul] Just curious, **Earl** , were you raised as a Jehovah’s Witness? I’ve always felt sorry for any kid who never had a birthday party or received presents on Christmas or have any kind of fun on a holiday like everybody else because of being in a JW family. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/31 "2003-04-30T17:50:30Z")
Conversely, I _have_ done most of the things listed in this thread. -I’ve broken several bones -Gotten stitches 3 times that I can remember, probably a couple more -Moved around a lot in elementary school -Tried my first cigarette when I was 10 -Smoked pot for the first time when I was 11 (can’t stand the stuff now, though I don’t mind other people smoking it, just not my thing) -Went to summer camp 3 times (LOVED it) -Had detention and Saturday school plenty of times -Broke my fair share of windows -Climbed lots of trees -Skipped school constantly (but never until High School) -Got in a few fights in elementary/middle school -Snuck out of the house just about every night until I was 15 or 16, at which point I was free to roam without sneaking. -Started camping with my friends frequently around age 10 or 11. We always brought beer but most of it got stealthily poured into the bushes for the first few years. Lost intrest in camping when we all started getting our drivers licenses. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/32 "2003-04-30T18:04:51Z")
OK - I was going to pitch a ROYAL BITCH about the fact that I too never went to Disney as a kid, but HOLY SHIT! I’m gonna go hug my parents now. ---
**Author:** ![guava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/71e660/32.png) [@guava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guava)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/33 "2003-04-30T19:43:26Z")
We didn’t have cable television. I had no clue who Mr. Rogers was until just recently. Nobody ever offered me drugs, so I’ve never done them. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/34 "2003-05-01T14:50:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dwc1970 \* > \*\*I have a few to add: > Just curious, **Earl** , were you raised as a Jehovah’s Witness? I’ve always felt sorry for any kid who never had a birthday party or received presents on Christmas or have any kind of fun on a holiday like everybody else because of being in a JW family. \*\* Nope. We were very a-religious, or “secularly religious.” That is, we did the holidays (Easter baskets and Christmas gifts, for example), but didn’t attend any church services. We just didn’t ever engage in any familial or social activities. Heck, we didn’t even _eat_ together. We also never went to a restaurant (unless you include stopping by a diner on our way to Florida one time). We never, ever, ever "ate out, " even once. ---
**Author:** ![Lodrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@Lodrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lodrain)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/35 "2003-05-01T21:39:49Z")
I’ve never had a ‘first woody’, either. I remember getting erections as far back as third grade. I, until relatively recently, never had a wet dream and didn’t start masturbating until I was about twelve. I never had a ‘birds and bees’ talk with my parents. I’ve never broken a bone, got stitches or sprained anything badly enough to require medical attention. I’ve never had a regular allowance (frazzin’, fritzin’ dirt-poor family). I’ve never been on a sports team, the Boy Scouts, or anything that requires me to get up off my arse and do something physical. Drama doesn’t count. Lots more, but it’s mostly inconsequential. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/36 "2003-05-02T05:15:21Z")
I was never befriended by a kindly GJ who promised to take me to America. I never had to demonstrate anything using an anatomically correct doll. Never had to band together with the other kids to solve a crime that seemed to baffel the local police. ---
**Author:** ![sajwalke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/edb3f5/32.png) [@sajwalke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sajwalke)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/37 "2003-05-02T06:36:19Z")
I never got in a fight. I still feel left out. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/38 "2003-05-02T06:41:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by quietman1920 \* > \*\*Never could own a dog (“pets are for Weaklings; no son of mine is a weakling”) > > Never got to build/own a car. (“I’ll not have a Junk Heap in My Driveway. the day you can buy one from a Car Dealer in Cash is the Day you can have one here.”) > > Never could have friends over. (“Go play at their house.”) \*\* Good GRACIOUS quietman!! {{{{{{hugs}}}}}} ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/39 "2003-05-02T06:43:47Z")
I can’t think of anything. I didn’t get to be a cheerleader in HS (had to settle for being a pseudo type cheerleader called a “Matmaid” for the wrestling team). But that sorta doesn’t count, cuz it’s not something that most other kids get to do either. I guess I’ll have to be a copycat, I didn’t get to do disneyland either, not til I was 23. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999/40 "2003-05-02T06:53:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sajwalke \* > \*\*I never got in a fight. I still feel left out. \*\* Meet me in the sandbox at 3 o’clock. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childhood-experiences-you-never-had/171999.md?page=3)