I didn't live a deprived childhood one little bit and these were the staples that we had:

* no TV during the week. There is a yard - use it
* get home, get changed, clean school shoes, wash lunch box, do music practice, do homework, feed chooks or dog, set table or bring washing in from the line (depending on which week it was)
* school lunch consisted of two pieces of fruit, sandwich (usually vegemite) muesli bar and a bottle of drink (occasionally a popper)
* if you were hungry when you got home you knew where the fuit bowl was (no way you went near the biscuit tin unless it was offered) and there was always milk and water in the fridge if you were thirsty.
* dinner was always sitting at the dining table and it was someone's turn every night to lead the conversation generally starting with a something interesting that they saw/learned/thought during the day.

I kind of wish that I could bring up my kids the same way - but I think that society will be working against me