Used to think my childhood was mostly terrible (bullying at school and family scapegoat, suicidal teen with drink/drug problems) however I remember a lot of good times too, now. Doing things that most kids today aren't allowed to do - going off to the woods and making dens, lighting fires, climbing trees, some quite dangerous sledging and go-karting, playing in the river, and the school environment was positively idyllic compared to what kids have to deal with now - less distractions, more structured with quiet(ish) classrooms and exams rather than coursework. Used to like exams as it was a short burst of stress which focused me, and I was very competitive. Would probably have no qualifications had they been based on coursework, as didn't have the attention span, and would procrastinate (as I did with homework)
