How well do you remember your childhood? (if at all)

SharpshooterTom

I'm just curious about how much the average adult can remember their childhood. I've always felt I was able to recall memories from my childhood in better detail than most other people. I’m in born in 1986 and I can for example, remember all the years of the 1990s in terms of which year in school I was in, who my teacher was, who my friends were at that time etc. I can recall individual conversations, even from as young as 4/5/6 and recall a lot of my childhood in reasonably good detail. If see the year '1994' for example, even though I was only 8, I can recall what I was doing, where I was roughly etc.

But I’m under the impression a lot of people (possibly most people) can’t do this, and some people have no recollection of their childhood at all. I was speaking to a guy recently who would occasionally mock me for how well I can recall individual memories as in “how on earth do you remember that??” sort of thing. He would claim that people who remember a lot from their childhood are usually people who have had uninteresting adult lives as their adult lives are so dull they haven’t yet replaced/pushed out those memories they had when they were a child. In my case he’s probably correct lol, so great childhood recollection = crap adult life = dull twat.

I’m going to poll this, even though it’s going to be fairly vague, I just want a rough idea. So poll options range from great, remember all the years of your childhood in great detail, to fairlygood recollection, remember most things, most years fairly well, and really bad for someone who only has half a dozen memories at most before the age of 12 etc.

cloud493

I have some pretty clear memories, but its mostly nothing till 10 years old.
I remember the first film I saw in the cinema, some birthday parties, thats about it.

The Backwards Man

I remember it like it was yesterday. I fell a bit like Uncle Albert when I start telling the tales from those years, everybody rolls their eyes and walks away.

anti-venom

Got a lot of memories from my early childhood although at times I wonder how accurate they are. Perhaps they have mutated over the years and been re-imagined. The memory is very fallible and pliable unfortunately.

I don't think I have any memory of when I was fourteen for some reason. Just can't recollect anything from that year.

Menas

Yeah, I remember a lot of the good stuff from about four onwards. Bad stuff is filtered out.

Boring username

I remember this great trick my grandad used to play. I would perch myself up on his lap, and somehow he was able to tickle me without using his hands. I never could figure out how he managed it....

retro:electro

Born in 1987. I can remember my classes in school and what teachers I had, beyond that though it's a bit of a hazy blur. It always seemed to be sunny when I was on my school holidays and I was always outside. Don't think my parents ever looked for me or wondered where I was half the time!

My earliest memory I have is me being pushed in my pram I must have been about two or three and my brother ran in front of the pram and pulled a mooney in my face. Ah nostalgia. Brings a tear to the eye just thinking about it

Eugene Norman

Very little. In context was born in 1976. I couldn't really name most of my primary class or most teachers. Nor do I wish to. There's no way I remember an average day. Extraordinary days like school trips, or the snow in 1982 I remember, though young.

It's recall rather than memory loss. When people start to reminisce it comes back to me.

jobeenfitz

Cant remember too much except getting guns n pouches and cowboy hat for Christmas, more than one occasion.

Jan Laco

I can remember alot. My earliest memory is being in a cot and walking up and I was shouting for my parents. I'm guessing I was 3.

I remember walking into the potato crop when i was about in the garden and thinking it was a jungle.

I remember going to Dublin zoo when I was 6 years old. My sisters wanted me to pretend I was 5 for a deal, but I was so proud to be 6 so I kept shouting it on the way there...but I hushed up at the ticket office.

I could go on and on...yeah I remember everything.

ToddyDoody

We moved house when I was 4 making it a good marker for the earlier memories.

The best I have is a few scenes out of a narrative.

I can remember putting Mr freeze bits on my stomach with the (similarly aged) neighbour. I haven't done that since.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I was 3 when my uncle got home after being in the war in Burma and I can clearly recall the excitement, the tears and the party.

dd972

Tend to go back using Football moments, I can recall the 1978 World Cup Final if none of the tournament, remember the 1979 and 1980 FA Cup Finals, the 1980 Belgium v W.Germany Euro Final.

rainbowtrout

Childhood stuff I remember very well.

Generally remember a lot of world events from mid 80s onwards. However watching Reeling in the Years regularly has me wondering if I remember some events from memory is it because I've seen those episodes a few too many times.

Buona Fortuna

Born in the late 50s - I can remember a lot of stuff, but isn't it all subjective?

Who comes along and says "what about blah." and "You forgot about that".

SCOOP 64

Depends on your age really, some of as have to go a lot further back to remember.

RayCon

F**k all.

Iopu

Born in 1988. Up until about 3-4 I probably remember little or nothing. But after that I think I remember almost everything.

Chain Smoker

Ridiculously well, too well... always feel like a gigantic creep bumping into old classmates cos they're like "Ah, Chain Smoker, I think we were in the same class?" Meanwhile, I'm thinking "Yep, same class, we didn't talk to each other much though, you were a month and two days older than me, you lived across the road from the church, your phone number was 044-67890, you missed no days of school in 1998, you missed none again in 2001 asides from the last day, your childhood teddy bear was called Max, you supported Man Utd but I saw you in town wearing a Chelsea jersey a few years ago"

freshpopcorn

Born in the early 1990's.
I can remember bits from my childhood.
One thing I do remember I live on a little road off the Dublin Road. It would have being very busy back then prior to the Motorways. One day when I was about 3/4. I remember there was a fatal accident when we were coming home from town and it was a neighbour that died.
News rise I remember seeing Veronica Guerin's car on the Naas Road. John Gillinghan and Catherine Nevin in court. Also remember seeing Diana car in the tunnel a bit.

retro:electro

I remember Diana's death too. I shared a bed with my older sister and my mam came in to us in the middle of the night and said to my sister about Diana "Jesus they think she's dead" and in my comatosed state I thought they were talking about me!

Eugene Norman

Chain Smoker wrote: »

Ridiculously well, too well... always feel like a gigantic creep bumping into old classmates cos they're like "Ah, Chain Smoker, I think we were in the same class?" Meanwhile, I'm thinking "Yep, same class, we didn't talk to each other much though, you were a month and two days older than me, you lived across the road from the church, your phone number was 044-67890, you missed no days of school in 1998, you missed none again in 2001 asides from the last day, your childhood teddy bear was called Max, you supported Man Utd but I saw you in town wearing a Chelsea jersey a few years ago"

That's nuts. Is it a curse or a blessing?

Eugene Norman

anna080 wrote: »

I remember Diana's death too. I shared a bed with my older sister and my mam came in to us in the middle of the night and said to my sister about Diana "Jesus they think she's dead" and in my comatosed state I thought they were talking about me!

Yes. Of course everybody remembers big events. What else do you remember. Describe a Wednesday at school when you were 13? Some people can do that. I can't for sure.

retro:electro

Eugene Norman wrote: »

Yes. Of course everybody remembers big events. What else do you remember. Describe a Wednesday at school when you were 13? Some people can do that. I can't for sure.

I already posted about the things I remember.

saintsaltynuts

Born in 81.Remember Playschool. Remember my brother being born in 85.Remember Euro '88 well and crying when the Dutch knocked us out.

Aineoil

I was born in 1965. I an remember lots from my childhood. I remember my first day at school and all my teachers' names - both

primary and secondary.

I started school at 3 and 3/4. You could do that back then. One abiding memory I have is as a 6 year old in first class. Sister Luimarie

was our teacher. On Tuesdays the class was split on a gender basis - the boys were taught singing and the girls knitting. I forgot my

knitting one day and my punishment was to stay with the boys for the singing lesson. Even at 6 I thought it was the strangest

punishment ever, because I adore singing.

jimgoose

Bliss. I remember my childhood vey well. I grew up at the butt of a mountain in East Limerick, as free as a bird and as fast as the wind. My mother is a Samurai Lady, and my father, the Lord rest the good and kind man, was, I suppose you could call him a Preacher, in the Pale Rider sense!

Lia_lia

I lived in London until I was 3, and I can remember some things from before that. But very little! My brother was born 2 days after my 3rd birthday and I can remember that. Lived in France after that for a few years and I remember a lot of that.

I can remember a good bit alright. Was born in 1989.

I can remember about 5 of my childhood friend's landline phone numbers strangely enough!

I remember Diana's death because RTE cancelled Sabrina The Teenage Witch for the evening..was gutted

cloud493

The only memory I have of say 9/11, was that it was the birthday of a teacher I didn't like, and I was annoyed cos ITV didn't show pokemon that afternoon since it was obviously 24 hours news.

SharpshooterTom

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Born in the late 50s - I can remember a lot of stuff, but isn't it all subjective?

Who comes along and says "what about blah." and "You forgot about that".

It is subjective that's why I wasn't sure to put a poll in or not because how is having a "good" memory of your childhood measured? I just wanted a rough idea though.

Hammer89

I remember the nurses laughing at the size of my knob when I was born.

Son Of A Vidic

Hammer89 wrote: »

I remember the nurses laughing at the size of my knob when I was born.

Just because they found it difficult to tell if you were a boy or a girl, doesn't mean they should have laughed at you. Very unprofessional behaviour imo.

I remember everything that was interesting at the time, starting from the age of 3. Or I must have been three, because I remember playing alone in the playroom on my sister's first day away at primary school, crying because I couldn't get the Speak & Spell to say anything.

I don't think it's very common to forget a lot of your childhood?

If someone is in a position where they can't remember their childhood, that might be a bit worrying; is it a case of their mind subconsciously blocking harmful memories, I wonder?

anncoates

What I found interesting when I had a pint with a guy I was best friends with when we were about 10 (hadn't seen him for many years) was that we remembered different things. He reminded me of stuff I'd completely forgotten that I thought I'd remember well (for example, a successful fight I had with a guy who bullied us) and vice versa.

It was really interesting and a bit strange

5rtytry56

B. 1972.
Seventies: my moms Ford Anglia.
Eighties: the recession. The first experience of the political dystem . GUBU. Haughy. "Flawed pedigree" of aforementioned individual.
End of eighties : end of my childhood.

Ruu

Very well. Reminds me of the time in Junior Infants, was lining up after finishing lunch break. Got distracted by a shiny car parked on the street, must have been looking at it for ages! When I turned around everyone had long gone inside.

Teacher must not have missed me very much, stayed outside for a while longer to look at the shiny car before the teacher eventually figured out that I was missing, asked me if I would car to join the class!

I remember when my younger brother was about to be born, Mam was packing a suitcase to go to hospital for a few days. Asked to her to bring home a boy and some chocolate as well. She delivered and brought home some Dairy Milk Whole Nut.

Galwayguy35

We had better summers anyway, lots of fine weather, ideal for long days in the bog.

Walking to school as not as many people had cars, and some of the cars had no seat belts.

Actually I never remember anyone even wearing a seat belt in a car.

Just had RTE 1 and 2 on the box and it was finished around 11pm.

Moving statues making the news.

Getting drunk on wine at age 10.

Duke O Smiley

Born in the 90s. I don't have many vivid childhood memories to be honest and most of them are with my Dad (who is still alive btw) when I looked up to him.

One of my most memorable days from my childhood is the day I went with him to collect his new car from the dealership. I was about five years old but I just understood how happy he was that day and so I was happy. The drive home, getting home, and going to Howth for an ice cream that evening are all memories that I haven't ever forgotten about.

Duke O Smiley

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

Born in the 90s. I don't have many vivid childhood memories to be honest and most of them are with my Dad (who is still alive btw) when I looked up to him...........

I suspect there's an even better story here you're not telling us

I mean you can't drop that tidbit and not tell us the rest!

I'll pretend to be Joe Duffy, you be my caller. Now go on...

*Applies clamps*

Duke O Smiley

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I suspect there's an even better story here you're not telling us

I mean you can't drop that tidbit and not tell us the rest!

I'll pretend to be Joe Duffy, you be my caller. Now go on...

*Applies clamps*

*rabble rabble*

And then, when I turned 16, he stopped taking me to Pride and Joy on the weekends for a new toy, and I haven't had ice cream in years Joe

Where did it all go wrong Joe!?! Where?

_Whimsical_

I remember my 2nd birthday party very vaguely. Sitting on my mum's knee in my grannies kitchen with my aunt and uncle and their two children. There was a coffee cake and singing happy birthday and my strongest memory is being kept from grabbing the chocolate swirls from the top of the cake.

nc19

I have memories from as early as 3

freshpopcorn

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

One of my most memorable days from my childhood is the day I went with him to collect his new car from the dealership. I was about five years old but I just understood how happy he was that day and so I was happy. The drive home, getting home, and going to Howth for an ice cream that evening are all memories that I haven't ever forgotten about.

What kind of car was it?

Duke O Smiley

freshpopcorn wrote: »

What kind of car was it?

Audi A6, 1997. One of the very first of that model in the country and Chris de Burgh bought the other one at the time

jimgoose

Duke O Smiley wrote: »

Audi A6, 1997. One of the very first of that model in the country and Chris de Burgh bought the other one at the time

I learned to drive in a Mk. I Granada at the age of twelve. The only other car I've ever encountered like it is my current Jaguar S-Type with its 5-speed Ford manual gearbox. Ka-Chonk!!

Rubberlegs

Born in '73. I remember quite a lot from when I was very young. I can remember being about 2, out in the buggy going to a purple wool shop with my mother. My Grandad died when I was 5, and I remember his funeral. I can remember one of my teeth falling out eating a chocolate digestive, and the time I was running and tripped over my Dad's shoes and cut my hand on the glass I was carrying. I'd have been 5 or younger then, as my Grandad was in the house. I have vivid memories of the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper. I can also remember the hunger strikers dying.

Agricola

Only remember my first day of school in '86. From then til '94 i only have vague memories of school friends, things we did, school trips, birthday parties etc. Plenty of vague memories also of spending the summers with my cousins. I don't really have clear, well remembered memories until '94 onward (probably because thats when I started secondary)

Mam of 4

Born 68.

Can remember baby brother sitting up in the pram ,he was born in 70, so was about two and a half/three ? Distinctly remember getting my leg broken at four , all my primary school teachers names .

Seem to remember a lot more of back then than what I did last week

Sam Kade

I was born in 64 I can remember lots since I was 3 and a few memories before then.

PLL

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

If someone is in a position where they can't remember their childhood, that might be a bit worrying; is it a case of their mind subconsciously blocking harmful memories, I wonder?

This.

I lived in an abusive home growing up, just me, my mother and whatever boyfriend she had at the time. I can't remember hardly anything from being at home, honestly it is strange, worrisome and obviously repressed.
However, ask me about school (which I loved!) and spending summer, Easter and Christmas with my dad and family in Mayo and I can recall specific details. They are my happiest memories and I regularly look back at them.

It is amazing what the human brain can do.

Rubberlegs

Mam of 4 wrote: »

Born 68.

Can remember baby brother sitting up in the pram ,he was born in 70, so was about two and a half/three ? Distinctly remember getting my leg broken at four , all my primary school teachers names .

Seem to remember a lot more of back then than what I did last week

I'm the same, and it never feels that long ago. Yet some of it is the guts of 40 years ago, now that's scary ! But ask me to remember recent years, and beyond significant events, I won't remember anything.