MOTHER'S DAY is next Sunday so best wishes to all of you who do the hardest, unpaid job. Some of you are pressuring yourselves, or feeling the judgement of others, as you struggle to do the best for your children.

In the days when I was a child, mothers and grandmothers also had stresses and fears, and we were disciplined and punished more than coddled, but life was simpler and more fun.

So, for the amusement of mature readers and the amazement of younger ones, I recall some carefree mothering back in the day.

* Mums kissed bruises and scrapes, even spat on them, and made them better.

* Bush was boiled and forced on you without any idea of the exact ingredients.

* You were purged with evil-tasting stuff like castor oil.

* When you dropped sweeties on the ground, you picked them up, wiped them off, and continued sucking.

* Passing a bottle or glass of drink around from mouth to mouth was cool.

* If you came home soaking wet, you got a teaspoon of rum, without fears you would grow into an alcoholic!

* Medicine bottles and containers had no child-proof covers (which now give childfree Moi nuff trouble to open!)

* Lead paint was all over the place.

* Eating crayons were considered slightly wicked but cute and we didn't use the word "non-toxic".

* Saying you were "bored" if you dared, would get you some more house or yard work.

* Car drives were a treat, without seat belts or air bags.

* My family used to pack more than a dozen people in a car for a trip to the beach. Years later we got a hatch-back and I used to sit, happily, in the trunk!

* We rode bikes without wearing helmets.

* We investigated the difference between boys and girls without anybody calling the police.

* Water was something you got from any tap, and drinking straight from a hose was great fun!

* Butter was enjoyed on freshly baked bread.

* We played outside all day – unsupervised – but got back home by sunset.

* Bedtime was not a negotiation.

* "Because I said so" and "you are living under my roof" explained all commands.

* You had to say "the magic words" of "thank you", "please", and "I'm sorry".

* If you nabbed fruit from a neighbour's yard it was accepted as all part of the life of a growing child . You got a bit of scolding but nobody wanted to lock you up.

* Most children didn't have their own rooms, and even shared beds.

* Pet dogs were pot hounds and not seen as status symbols.

* We played with mud, made "chocolate" from it, and jumped in sand but the worms and chiggers didn't kill us.

* When you fell down, there was no automatic rush to the emergency room. Tears, wiping or washing your buss mouth and knees was usually enough.

* Homework was something you did, alone.

* You made most or all playthings.

* The no-brand clothes you wore were often "pre-owned" by people whose (brand) names you knew.

* Winning and losing, success and failure were different things. Nobody gave you a prize just for participation. You had to work and take risks to achieve.

*Dawn Morgan is a NATION senior reporter who survived those "dangerous" free-spirited days of parenting. Telephone 430-5495. dawnmorgan@nationnews.com