My memories of a childhood without the rose-coloured glasses

A lot of people love getting nostalgic by taking a walk down memory lane. I think many of those who do, choose to look back at their past with rose-coloured glasses perched firmly on their noses.

Every word is always positive with mothers performing miracles in the kitchens and fathers carrying gladstone bags and making billy carts out of four wheels and a piece of string. If I was to believe every nostalgic blog I read, it would appear that I am the only one whose childhood did not mimic a marathon run of the idyllic family from Leave It To Beaver.

My memories are very different because I remember everything as being far from great. My parents’ parenting skills were severely lacking in substance. I remember them fighting all the time, or at least that’s what it felt like. I was left at home a lot of a night while they frequented pubs and clubs.

I remember Sunday (washing day) and Mum’s mood was always foul. We would all walk on eggshells trying to avoid eye contact with her. She ruled the house and everybody in it. I always think of my childhood Sundays when I program my washing machine.

Sure I played in the streets till dark, but I was also molested by relatives and told I was a liar when I spoke up. A lot of my memories I would rather not have, but that’s life. I wouldn’t go back for quids.

There was no encouragement to study — my interests were stupid and unnecessary. My parents’ only interest was to get me married and out of the house as quickly as possible. They got what they wanted, but to be honest I was keen and jumped in the deep end. I saw it as a way to escape home, but the cycle continued when I married a man who was abusive. The only difference being, I divorced him.

Do you think your memories are only focused on the good times you had growing up? Are there memories you’d rather forget from your childhood?

Go in the draw to win some great prizes with Starts at 60. Simply sign up as a contributor and submit your stories to Starts at 60 here. You can also join the Starts at 60 Bloggers Club on Facebook to talk to other writers in the Starts at 60 community and learn more about how to write for Starts at 60.