In No Particular Order

Five Reasons I Wish I Were a Kid in 2006:

1. Computer classes. My younger brother has the option of taking Flash animation classes. You know what I had? Typing. If I was lucky, I could learn the basic functions of Microsoft Works.
2. iTunes. My colleague Megan actually reminded me of this one. Remember trying to tape your new favorite song by listening to the radio for several hours at a time, and recording it onto your tape? GONE.
3. Movie technology. I hate to list so much tech stuff, but how can you ignore it? Besides the animation just being better and remarkably realistic, you can also see movies in Imax proportions, or in 3D. (Yeah, 3D movies skipped my generation.)
4. Clothing stores. I wasn't a kid that long ago... where did all these awesomely trendy kids' stores come from? I shopped at department stores, or wherever mom took me. Now stores like Limited Too are letting kids start their own trends and... well, I'm jealous.
5. Toys. Come on. Naturally, toys are getting cooler. Even basic things like Legos have a cool modern edge. Do you know how many darts a Nerf gun can fire now? It's more than one-and-you-have-to-pump-it-until-your-arm-hurts.

Five Reasons I'm Glad I'm Not a Kid in 2006:

1. Classroom parties. My mom had a hand in every school party that we had-- and there were plenty. Birthdays, holidays, end-of-the-year... now, thanks to Childhood Obesity rulings, there is no food-as-a-reward in schools anymore. If you're lucky, your teacher will sneak in pretzels for Christmas.
2. Speaking of Christmas... remember when you could say "Christmas?" I am all for being PC, but I haven't heard anything but "holiday" in a couple of years now. Unlike "freedom fries," this one's sticking around.
3. GPS. Don't get me wrong-- I am all for this cutting-edge technology. When I'm a parent, I will be all over the GPS... in my kid's phone, in my kid's car, whatever. But as far as actually being the kid whose mom watches his every step... I'm glad I missed that little innovation.
4. Attention spans. I'm starting to sound like I should have false teeth and a rocking chair, aren't I? I'm not about to go into another "Multitasking: Are Your Kids Suffering?" article, because it's the only way to keep up with the amazing Tech Age we're living in, but I'm glad this stuff didn't hit me until I was in college.
5. iEverything. MyFriends know MyFrustration with this. It has nothing to do with the iProducts, and e-Verything to do with the word-coining barrage that, to MyKnowledge, started with the iPod.