what i didn't realize until only recently that i missed from my childhood was being talked to, and more importantly, being talked to as if i was a real, legitimate person. it would have been considerable motivation to say more, think aloud more, and be less afraid of being among other people. some friends who are parents and some friends who are children of various vintages seem to bear this out: talking with them as though the things they think and feel are valid (which they are!) is the one thing all mention at one time or another.