My newly teen daughter is now traversing the neighborhood with her friends.
As the debate rages on as to if society these days is just more dangerous (or if we’re just more paranoid) or if the good ole days were more innocent and carefree (possibly), I have to come to terms with the fact that my daughter is ultimately more mobile than ever.
Of course, my parenting style is infused with my own life experiences – such as walking around the neighborhood of my youth against my parents wishes.
My earliest trips “out” were with my friend – we would walk down to Cunningham Pharmacy (in Houston). Past the Goony Golf, past the Library, down West Belfort, to the corner of South Post Oak. This is prior to the Kroger-plex that exists now. Just south down South Post Oak (at the time) was the AJ Foyt Dealership. Belden’s was also on that corner next to the Pharmacy. This was Belden’s first location, prior to moving to Braeswood square, where it currently resides. Can’t find pics right now, but I’m sure they exist.
Anyway, the reason that we would walk to this particular pharmacy was because they had the BEST candy selection. Seriously. Tiny candy coffins witch candy skeletons that went together like a puzzle, Gatorgum, and my first exposure to Big League Chew. Obviously, no kid could get enough of BLC, since it was impossible not to stick the whole bubblegum pouch into your mouth and strain your drooling jaws into submission.
But, I was a candy addict, and Cunningham Pharmacy had the candy fix I needed. I also ended up picking up a lot of Puggles and Smurfs there as well. My Puggles were a little more masculine……..uh……..scratch that. They weren’t masculine at all. What was I thinking?
Anyway, I also then think about the early trips that I took to Westwood Mall that were EXPRESSLY forbidden by my parents – that I did anyway.
So, I have to consider that my daughter will do things that I won’t like, but at least she’s got a cell phone (which did not exist in my life in the late 70’s/early 80’s) and is – so far – willing to text me her location when she’s walking around.
It will have to do, I suppose.