With school holidays drawing to a close, I decided to post a second photo of this lovely sculpture on Lake Okanagan’s shoreline in Penticton. (The first time I posted a picture of this sculpture was about five years ago.)
I remember well those seemingly endless summer breaks when all you had to do was play intensely and be sure to arrive home – during my childhood, at least – when the streetlights started to come on. I think this sculpture captures well the childhood sense of freedom that many of us were able to enjoy and is perhaps gone forever, replaced by caution and organisation.
Happy Monday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 
I think all of us parents who, as kids, had the “go outside and play until supper” orders from Mom each summer day now realize that current realities no longer make this safe. Pity. The fun we had and the trouble we got into….and survived. Nowadays, the kids can get in trouble on their devices without going outside. Happy Monday Lynette. Allan
I agree completely. Additionally, they always seem to have organised play or activities. There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of spontaneity, as parents are often so worried about abductions or accidents. My parents shoved me out the door and didn’t expect to see me again until I was hungry or as I mentioned, the streetlights were coming on!
Love the statues. You’re so right. Not only did parents have to hover before, but since covid, kids have had such a rough time. My teenage nephew said to me the other day, “My childhood was ruined.” For two years, he and his 2 brothers (and all kids) had such limited interaction and fun. It made me wish I could make it better. We were so fortunate to grow up in a different time, and I feel so for the kids.
Hi Lori, agreed. They were literally locked up, and often with few outlets but social media. Allan points out, they can get into a lot of trouble there, sometimes with tragic results. I’m sorry to hear about your nephew and his brothers. The covid years definitely weren’t kind, in so many ways.
I don’t believe the world is more dangerous (except that guns are endemic; when I was growing up, there was a rifle for shooting woodchucks in the garden, but handguns were rare, and semi-automatics unheard of except in the military); what has changed is the much more intense news reporting. I grew up in a town where one of my babysitters was raped and killed – but the husband of the town librarian, no less – we all knew it, and it did not affect our lives as far as getting out and playing. I live again in a small town where free range kids are encouraged.
I love your term “free range kids.” That’s what I and many of my generation were. It seems that kids are now so regimented and everything is hyper-organised. They seem to have little opportunity to just play, and especially without a device in their hands.
This sculpture is so whimsical and fun. I remember spending most of the summer outdoors when I was younger. It’s sad to think how that’s changed for kids nowadays. Play time seems way more structured and often involves some sort of electronic device.
That’s how I feel about it as well. When I first saw it – which was from a distance – I thought for a second or two that they were real kids. I agree that the focus on organised activities and the over-use of electronic devices is is sad.
Love the sculpture. I agree with the comments about modern playtime seeming more structured – not as useful for the development of imagination, or many other life skills.
When I’m off work and at home, I frequently pass this sculpture. I really like the sense of movement and sheer joy that’s conveyed. Modern playtime seems to me to be completely over-produced. Some organisation is a good thing, but as with all good things, there are limits.