Can anyone Here Honestly say They Had a Happy Childhood?

Question

***I Surely Did!!! xxoo

Leapfrog00 · Accepted Answer

That I cannot. This is a little dark, but I grew up with psychical abuse from my parents. I never did feel comfortable around my parents. They were always in bad moods, and took out a lot of stuff on me. Sometimes after I got out of the shower, my dad would be walking by my room, and on more than one occasion, he would grab my penis and ask if it ever grew. It really made me feel uncomfortable. I'm not really sure if I was sexually assaulted because I don't know much about that, I've always wondered though. The physical abuse was worse than anything. My parents would throw things at me, strike me with a variety of objects, usually whichever object was closer, a knick knack, a book, one time a bottle bleech. I just never knew. It got so bad, I ran away numerous times. I was on the street as a teen for a while until I got caught, and then ended up in foster care. I felt safe when I finally got placed, but I felt bad for a lot of the other ones. A lot of suicidal teens in the foster system. This one girl and I made a suicide pact once. Yeah, trauma kinda throws off your judgement on your life choices. We both found help eventually, and even dated for a short time She was a really kind soul, and really pretty. I miss her.

I try not to let my childhood stick around in my mind, but sometimes the PTSD is just there. Then there was all the abuse for my narcissistic aunt. My father died a few years ago, but my mother still living, living somewhere in upstate Ohio. She didn't even know I was homeless last year, that's how much she cares about me and stays in contact with me, but I shouldn't complain. I'm an adult. There's my dark childhood though! Nowadays my mind is all over the place!

BigRed1987 · Accepted Answer

I meannnnn, I think when it comes to viewing an overall experience in a large given timeframe, we need to break it down.
1. Were both parents present in you growing up? If yes, great!
2. Were you abused by your parents physically or otherwise? No? Great! A chunk of your life, well at least you had shelter and were fed I guess.
I can go on, but my point is, is that if you break down anyone’s childhood, surely they’ll find something to point out and say, “ohhh this happened to me, so yeahhhh not a great childhood”.

If I recall mine, I was molested for many years, had a dad who did meth and barely paid attention to me and a mom that didn’t know it for many years, had heart problems and then surgery to fix it towards the end of my teen years.
But overall? I had shelter, I had tons of toys growing up, we went to theme parks occasionally, road trips once in a while, and most of all, I was loved by both parents.
Even regardless of my dad not spending much time with me, the time we did spend, I’ll forever cherish it. Heck I didn’t even know he was on drugs until my sister was born (sister with step mom).
And my mom, she did her best despite constant sickness and fatigue (doctors were insanely incompetent at Kaiser)

So yes, I would say my childhood was mostly good. Perfect? No, no one has a perfect childhood, not that I’m aware of at least

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I had a very hurtful traumatic childhood, I’m 40 now and it’s still hurts haven’t truly healed. My mother was a very mean mean person, would hit us with the telephone cord or belt for no reason, never showed us any love or attention, never allowed to play with dolls, while married she was out cheating on my father for years and that’s something my sisters and I have been holding on for years. She was with this other man from the time I was 4-16 she got pregnant with my youngest brother 26 now but disappeared on this other man while he always provided her with luxuries and money all the time.
How can you look at your dads face knowing all this truth. But I promised myself this year I will tell him the truth. They are no longer together but have a good friendship, she cheated again after so many years but always plays the victim like poor me etc she’s a narcissist. My dad was always the provider, always made sure all 5 of us kids had food on the table and clothes etc while mom was out there doing whatever she wanted to do. But after so much therapy and listening to podcast and reading and doing self work I have learned a lot on my own, I have learned to love me completely and not settle for anyone.

StarWarGirl · Accepted Answer

Yes I do have a happy childhood. I was lucky to have educated mom, educated family, who always encouraging us to do good, to take part in various activities to try doing various art. I had loving protective healthy environment with the reasonable freedom wherever is necessary for growth. I must say I feel very lucky about it.

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

Absolutely! I had a puppy and a great mountain bike and we'd go out in the woods for hours together.

0verthinkExpert · Answer

Yes, I can say I had a happy childhood. I had two parents who loved me very much and constantly told me that. They were tremendously supporting and kind. Only one parent had a job. My dad worked and my mom was a stay-home mom. When my sibling and I came home from school there was always someone there. Lights were on, the smell of dinner cooking, my mom asking us how our day (school) was, etc.

My parents were frugal so we didn't do anything over the top, but they at least took us camping every summer and they always made our birthdays and all the holidays feel special. Our home had at least one pet at all times if not more. There was usually a family dog and then me and my sibling each got a cat. My parents would take us to church every Sunday. We were very active at our local church. It was certainly a stable life.

My sibling and I weren't living in luxury, but we had a good wholesome childhood. Through my parents, teaches, and pastors I learned discipline, work ethic, and valuing/respecting others including myself. You only get out of life as much as you put into it... that is something I was taught and learned by watching those around me.

With all that said, I find it extremely troubling that the media and activist are constantly attacking the nuclear family structure. As well as high tax rates and inflation are causing more families to have two working parents out of necessity not by choice. Our children are also losing their innocents at a younger age and at an alarming rate. I'm not trying to be dramatic here, but unfortunately less and less kids will experience a happy childhood if our country continues down this destructive path.

Jared91 · Answer

I was lucky. I had a great childhood. Grew up on a farm. Every day I got home from school (when I went to school in the last few years) I would just hop off the bus, saddle up my horse and go riding with my best female friend for hours. Had room to do whatever I wanted. I could disappear into the paddocks all day and nobody cared.

I never went without anything that I needed. I certainly didn't get most things I wanted, which taught me the value of working towards getting something I wanted.

At the time I didn't like it as much because most of my friends lived ages away (very rural) and I couldn't go to most parties etc, but looking back there is very few minor things I wish were different.

I was very very lucky and had the best childhood I could imagine

Honeysuckle12345 · Answer

Yeah I surely did, my father works for the federal government my mom worked for the law. She took a decade off of her career to raise us. We've been across North America for different times by the time I was 13.

The only girl of six I grew up as a tomboy chasing the frogs and snakes more than I grew up wearing makeup so I know more about cars and home repairs than my yyoungst brother does.

The last house that I owned I flipped it within 4 hrs. My real estate agent knew somebody was interested in such a property and they offered 50, 000 over the asking so that it never got to the market because market was hot 🔥. That investment knowledge is why I have never bought a home with a mortgage, it's all in cash.

And my profile age is wrong I'm only 30

ItsChloe1999 · Answer

Absolutely!!! I was born into a rich family, dad was the CEO of a multi billion dollar company and mom was a doctor until she was forced to retire due to an accident that prevented her from working ever again. We were given everything we wanted no matter the price and trust me when I say, I was a complete and utter spoiled brat when I was younger. We also had 4 vacations per year, going to a different country every time. And I’m ashamed to say but I was also what you would call ‘a trust fund baby’, when I turned 18, I was given access to my trust account which had an 11 figure sum of money in it. I’m not trying to brag, I’m just answering the question about having a happy childhood honestly.

exitseven · Answer

Looking back I have to say that I did. We did not have lots of money but I had a lot of neighborhood friends and my family had a house near the ocean and I had a whole different group of friends there. I did a lot of things against these two back drops. It was a different world as well. It was a lot less crazy.

AlexEfron · Answer

Which age range should I consider in the childhood?

I was born in Saudi Arabia and was there for 3 years. It was probably the best time of my life (yes I do recall a lot of things from there).

We came back to India in 2002 and since then there have been ups and downs.

School was... meh... not really something I want to remember. Then in 2018, I got into college. The next two years were amazing (I'd say next 4 years, but COVID messed it up. Still 2018-2022 was the best period of my life since I moved to India).

Now after mid 2022, when I graduated, my fortunes decided to take a nosedive. And I'm tired of it in general. I have lost the will to make things any better. Even if something is bad, I let it be. I don't have the enthusiasm to fix something that's broken.

That's how it is now. It's been a year and a half. Just dealing. But this certainly isn't childhood. This is adulthood 🙂

ShadowYamihiro · Answer

Not really, don't wanna go into details and explain my life story, not that i mind but its quite a lot to write about. Long story short not a loving family, no family dinner together, no i'm proud of you or i love you, kinda does a number on your psyche as you grow up but its ok, could be much worse. People (including your family) always teach you either how to be or how not to be. I'm glad i watched and became better as a person towards others

Lliam · Answer

I had a very happy childhood. It only got weird when I had to rebel against my dad's inflexible attitudes about clothing and hair styles when I reached adolescence. Fortunately, my mom was supportive (of me) and my dad was merely disapproving. He and I stopped being best buddies and I learned to distrust authority.

But I continued to have a really happy life in high school, my 20s, and beyond.

AaronKrieger · Answer

Yeah, I think on paper my childhood sounds bad, but it actually was not.

I think a big portion of that was due to the fact negative things in my life I didn't see as negative, but it was just a "it is what it is" type of thing. I didn't know certain things were bad or something people were "supposed" to get upset over, so I didn't. That is something I think a lot of people need to revert to in regards to not getting upset at shit including myself.

Anonymous · Answer

No. Quit school at 14 to tend to my mom and the house and then moved out shortly after, got pregnant and got Severe post partum depression and it was terrible. I went into a coma and and had lots of concussions from being beat as a kid and I’m fairly slow now and forgetful. Didn’t finish grade seven and I’m not able to clue in with social connections and small talk is weird and unnatural for me
I remain positive and I’m a hard worker and wonderful mom.

Life happens sometimes but we gotta make the best.

MiddleAgedClimbee · Answer

Outside of some challenging bullies at school, I think I had a pretty fun childhood. Free time was always spent outside, it was a smaller town and seemingly safe. No worries about the ice cream man trying to kidnap you etc.

jenna815 · Answer

I did... But then had my parents come back in my 30s claiming they hated me, had my whole life, and started trashing it my life and my son's life, even though anyone who knew our family would say they were lying completely... They're just attention seeking now and are too wasted to go about it like a respectable adult

Jersey2 · Answer

I grew up in a rougher neighborhood than I knew at the time. When a kid, you just don’t know what is normal. By early mid teens I was one of the problems I guess. When I was 12 my mom thought I would be the first American Pope. When I was 15 she just prayed that I didn’t go to jail. I was very happy in general though. Going into the Army National Guard and College as well changed my trajectory. But yeah, it was a lot of fun :D

Anonymous · Answer

I did not. I had undiagnosed ADHD and I was raised by extremely controlling parents. I was viciously bullied in grade school.

I have come to learn to forgive people though. It’s helps me heal and grow. But I can honestly say I did not overall have a great childhood at all.

skt19d · Answer

Nope. I'm a twin.

Step dad was a nightmare. Our Bday is so close to Christmas his family would constantly forget about it.

We never had aBday party.

We were told we were the cause of all the parents fights.

There's a whole lot more. Like a lot.

Sonorous · Answer

Besides the abuse I've witnessed & experienced, it definitely wasn't too bad. For the most part, we were lower middle class. I have a lot of good memories I wouldn't have if I was not as fortunate.

OfMiceandMen · Answer

Sure did. We lived in the country, had mountain bikes, motocross bikes, swam all the time, snowmobiles, etc. We did lots of stuff as a family, summer trips, camping, fishing, etc.

DJB72 · Answer

Definitely not. I was bullied and my brother was killed in a road accident.

On the other hand, adulthood has seen me lose my right leg below the knee and half my left foot, require 4 hours CPR to resuscitate me during a 3 month coma caused by Covid - which I caught in hospital while being treated for the problem with my right leg that a different hospital had caused. And that's just the last 3 years.

Not a happy childhood, but I learned young that to survive you need a sense of humour.

If you'll excuse me I'm off to buy a parrot to match my right leg...

mandyfire98 · Answer

I had a wonderful childhood. I enjoyed everything about growing up. I never wanted for anything. I had everything I needed.

Andres77 · Answer

I did. There was trauma but there was also lots of quality family time and trips and exploring and fun with friends.

Samantha_hart · Answer

I didn't really cause I got bullied for my looks/body in my early years but in my teens I have a really good teen hood because those same bullies now wish they looked like me even now my boobs when I was like 7-8 are bigger than a lot of the girls in my grade

abc3643 · Answer

For the most part, mine was very good and, frankly, looking back at age 60, I failed to appreciate how good it was... but it was similar for most kids of my cohort.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Parts of it were great. With dad on my ass about EVERYTHING, it was hard to say I had a HAPPY childhood!! It didn't help that a lot of people in school were always picking on me. Having pneumonia 3 times was no picnic, either!

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Absolutely. Not just me, but 95+% of the people I grew up with. Good parents, good home, good school, good town... Sure I could list complaints, but they would be minor and subjective.

Sparkie460 · Answer

There were good times and bad times like any other child. Life was much simpler back then. Overall I had a good childhood

CubaPirate · Answer

Not really being an only child isn't all it's cracked up to be. Especially at Christmas when you get monopoly and I had to be the dog car and top hat whilst everyone else is getting drunk

LaFemmeFatale_1 · Answer

I think I had a happy childhood. It could be better but It was still Amazing.

AviatorTom · Answer

I can. My childhood was very nice... and happy.

menina · Answer

I'm glad you did Paris. Unfortunately I can't say that I had a happy childhood. I grew up seeing my parents fighting and I was bullied.

midnightmoon05 · Answer

I had an amazing childhood. The best!! I had nothing growing up, and that helped to become who I am.

HippieVeganJewslim · Answer

I only wish I had a happy childhood as Thou didst. My lack of popularity, parental divorce, violence, weirdness, autism (I learnt about it as a teen, though my mum did when I was sevenish), &c were good reasons why.

Massageman · Answer

Compared to my adulthood, yes. And to think at one time I thought , "Gee, I wish I was an adult so I could what-EVER I want to do". Boy - THAT Boat sailed- and sank!

Mansearching · Answer

It was good. Wish my mother wasn't a helicopter parent though. That's the only thing that made it hard. Besides just the run of the mill bad luck.

AnnaSorokin · Answer

I want to say that my childhood lacked happiness

Chevy1_kb · Answer

my childhood was better than my adulthood anyway thats for sure

Nikki1989 · Answer

No, I hated everything about. My life didn't become tolerable till I was 14.

lightbulb27 · Answer

Yes… a lot of awsome, i was lucky w good family and values. Perfect… no

Paul_in_Indy · Answer

I had an absolutely wonderful childhood. I’m very sorry that you did not have the same.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

There were some problems and issues, but overall yes I did have a happy childhood.

AnusNdaPainus · Answer

No.  From the minute I was born it’s all been terrible  6 billion people on the planet and I was 1 of the Less than 200 born with a rare respiratory disease

Surely · Answer

I did. Raised on a small farm. At today’s standards. Usually had one dog and plenty to do. Work and playtime. Rode bicycle and went varmint hunting with my German shepherd.

Blueeyes81 · Answer

I did. Grew up in a loving family in a small town. We ate supper together every night and went to church rvery Sunday. I was never really bullied and was a free-range kid.

Shark_61695 · Answer

Best time of my life... miserable the whole time :)

Spaghetta · Answer

i sure did! unfortunately because i had a single mother she worked all the time and neither me or my brother could see her very often. other than this she always provided us with what we needed :)

XXblack88 · Answer

yes, even in my teen years were life got real

ScisorsAndRaisins · Answer

My brother and I worked since we were 10 years old. We never had a childhood.

Fireguy17 · Answer

I have no complaints.  Sure it could have been better, but it could have been worse.

Anonymous · Answer

I can honestly say that I had a very happy childhood with so loving and supportive parents. May my age be added on theirs.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Compared to my adulthood, I'd have to say yes! And this realization has caused me to have a tremendous amount of respect for my dad!

Likes2drive · Answer

Yeah mine was pretty good considering we were really poor but somehow my mom made it work and we still did things and went places

jeffend888 · Answer

My childhood wasn't bad. It wasn't amazing, but it was very stable.  My adulthood is 100 times worse than my childhood.

love_conquers_lust · Answer

Yup. It was school redistricting for low income minorities when it started to suck.

OddBeMe · Answer

Ehh I can. Obvi humans remember the worst more than the good. But I had excellent parents who took care of me AND a mentally handicapped son.

MJtheCoach · Answer

Besides being beat up by my teachers & mom all the time for laughing in school and not wanting to do my homework yaah.. then after age 12 no.

48_yo_guy_here · Answer

No. My childhood ended when my mom committed suicide when I was 10. I saw her dead on the ground, after free fall from 7th floor. (21 meters approx.)

AngryCarl2 · Answer

Not really. I spent most of my childhood developing clinical depression and complex PTSD.

Filthy_Immigrant · Answer

my childhood itself was not happy. but oh well I still had a lot of good moments

Staximus · Answer

It was happy when my parents weren't yelling at each other

Bloopbloopbloop · Answer

Kinda. I was living in my own world. I'd say 75%

Can anyone Here Honestly say They Had a Happy Childhood?

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