Hmm, you raise some very valid points Sarah LOL. When we were kids we jumped on beds, had waterfights (but they were banished to outside), blew milk bubbles but we had to be bleeding from the eyes before we were allowed to stay home from school though.

I have noticed with Mum though that she has mellowed ALOT and my 12 yo brother has frequent days off school (bordering on too many really) and lets him get away with things we didn't.

As for my kids, well they jump on beds (a little kid will hardly do damage to a bed - only themselves LOL) and if they fall off they get up and go again. I haven't taught them to blow milk bubles cause my kids are extroardinarily clumsy when it comes to drinks. And I admit I am strict on going to school though.

The water fights are a differnt story altogether LOL - we don't have any water for it but when it does rain, we encourage the kids to jump in muddy puddles and muck around.