---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wish we could get back to those days…"
description: "\"I wish we could get back to those days, just let kids go and play and enjoy themselves on the streets instead of at academies too young.\" — Robert Snod..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/robert-snodgrass-5803_enjoy_i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-j_1164178.jpg"
---

#  I wish we could get back to those days, just let kids go…

![“I wish we could get back to those days, just let kids go and play and enjoy themselves on the streets instead of at academies too young.” quote by Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/robert-snodgrass-5803_enjoy_i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-j_1164178.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/robert-snodgrass-5803_enjoy_i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-j_1164178.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/robert-snodgrass-5803_enjoy_i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-j_1164178.jpg)

> “I wish we could get back to those days, just let kids go and play and enjoy themselves on the streets instead of at academies too young.”

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Nostalgic longing for childhood freedom versus structured early education.

**In simple terms:** Missing carefree play.

Key Takeaway

value free play over early formal training.

Themes

childhood freedom education play society

Mood

reflective nostalgic

Type

advice observation

When to use this quote

- urban neighborhoods
- parental decisions
- school policy
- community design

Key Concepts

developmental psychology socialization

Questions to Reflect On

- How does early structured learning affect long‑term creativity?
- What community spaces can support safe, free play?

A Different Perspective

Balancing safety and autonomy is complex.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/)

## Related quotes

> [I'd like to say let your kids go out and play. Then I'd say you're not going to do that are you? Make your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-everett-koop/i-d-like-to-say-let-your-kids-go-out-and-play-then-i-d-say-you-re-not/)

[C. Everett Koop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-everett-koop/)

> [If I was US Lacrosse, I wouldn't let any kids play field until they were 10 or 12,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-tierney/if-i-was-us-lacrosse-i-wouldn-t-let-any-kids-play-field-until-they/)

Bill Tierney

> [Street artists need to get back to actually doing things on the streets instead of in the galleries where they all seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/street-artists-need-to-get-back-to-actually-doing-things-on-the/)

[Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/)

> [I love hockey, and I don't love it for any other reason than when I get out there and play, I enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-fehr/i-love-hockey-and-i-don-t-love-it-for-any-other-reason-than-when-i/)

[Brendan Fehr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-fehr/)

> [It is essential to our well-being and to our lives that we play and enjoy life. Every day do something that makes your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/it-is-essential-to-our-well-being-and-to-our-lives-that-we-play-and-2/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [Xavi told me to play to enjoy it, to play with happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-felix/xavi-told-me-to-play-to-enjoy-it-to-play-with-happiness/)

[Joao Felix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-felix/)

> [One more thing: don't spend too much time merely reading. The best part of this work is the play, so play and enjoy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-gygax/one-more-thing-don-t-spend-too-much-time-merely-reading-the-best-part/)

[Gary Gygax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-gygax/)

> [Jadon Sancho, he's very good at 'Call of Duty: Warzone.' He's too good, he takes it too seriously, you know what I'm saying? When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bukayo-saka/jadon-sancho-he-s-very-good-at-call-of-duty-warzone-he-s-too-good-he/)

[Bukayo Saka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bukayo-saka/)

> [The way I learnt to play was to go out there and enjoy myself. I never thought I'd play professionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-jay-okocha/the-way-i-learnt-to-play-was-to-go-out-there-and-enjoy-myself-i-never/)

[Jay-Jay Okocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-jay-okocha/)

> [Life is game, play n enjoy it...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myself/life-is-game-play-n-enjoy-it/)

Myself

> [Here with Germany, I play up front, which I enjoy a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-gnabry/here-with-germany-i-play-up-front-which-i-enjoy-a-lot/)

[Serge Gnabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-gnabry/)

> [Once I had the opportunity to get my feet wet and play and enjoy this game, I just wanted to be on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-wallace/once-i-had-the-opportunity-to-get-my-feet-wet-and-play-and-enjoy-this/)

[Ben Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-wallace/)

> [“It is essential to our well-being, and to our lives, that we play and enjoy life. Every single day, do something that makes your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcia-wieder/it-is-essential-to-our-well-being-and-to-our-lives-that-we-play-and/)

[Marcia Wieder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcia-wieder/)

> [The main thing is, wherever I play, I enjoy it and help the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-martial/the-main-thing-is-wherever-i-play-i-enjoy-it-and-help-the-team/)

[Anthony Martial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-martial/)

> [I just play because I enjoy the sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-pulisic/i-just-play-because-i-enjoy-the-sport/)

[Christian Pulisic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-pulisic/)

## More by Robert Snodgrass

> [I've scored goals, created goals everywhere I've been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-ve-scored-goals-created-goals-everywhere-i-ve-been/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [I trained at Celtic when I was a kid. I used to train at Rangers as well. I wore my Celtic shorts underneath my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-trained-at-celtic-when-i-was-a-kid-i-used-to-train-at-rangers-as/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [West Ham is a massive club and I want to do well. I want to create the same sort of feeling I've had at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/west-ham-is-a-massive-club-and-i-want-to-do-well-i-want-to-create-the/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [I'm a realist, I understand football and situations in the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-m-a-realist-i-understand-football-and-situations-in-the-game/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [I find myself lucky enough to be going to Wembley, which is any young kid's dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-find-myself-lucky-enough-to-be-going-to-wembley-which-is-any-young/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [When I saw there was interest from West Ham I wanted to become a part of what they are building here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/when-i-saw-there-was-interest-from-west-ham-i-wanted-to-become-a-part/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [From a personal point of view, when you're hitting the back of the net at Premier League level people recognize that you're doing something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/from-a-personal-point-of-view-when-you-re-hitting-the-back-of-the-net/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [I was young and naive. I didn't have the advice I have now and made mistakes. I didn't understand it was about attitude as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-was-young-and-naive-i-didn-t-have-the-advice-i-have-now-and-made/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [You only get half a chance sometimes against these big boys in the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/you-only-get-half-a-chance-sometimes-against-these-big-boys-in-the/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [I'll keep going. That's one thing about myself - I'll roll my sleeves up and keep going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-ll-keep-going-that-s-one-thing-about-myself-i-ll-roll-my-sleeves-up/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [I want the fans to see this lad means business. I just need to get that chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-want-the-fans-to-see-this-lad-means-business-i-just-need-to-get/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [I'd love to get into the Premier League with Leeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-d-love-to-get-into-the-premier-league-with-leeds/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [When I started going to see Celtic, it was just before Henrik Larsson signed. We used to try to skip into the games. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/when-i-started-going-to-see-celtic-it-was-just-before-henrik-larsson/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [There's always that element in the back of my head, thinking if it's meant to be I'll play for Celtic one day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/there-s-always-that-element-in-the-back-of-my-head-thinking-if-it-s/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

> [There are many stages, but the first step is an absolute given - the fans want blood, sweat and tears for the badge. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/there-are-many-stages-but-the-first-step-is-an-absolute-given-the/)

[Robert Snodgrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

[Explore all 100 Robert Snodgrass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/)

## More Enjoy quotes

> [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/)

[Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/)

> [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/)

[Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/)

> [The Fringe is by far my favorite time of year; I like everything about it. But there are people I know who are much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-horne/the-fringe-is-by-far-my-favorite-time-of-year-i-like-everything-about/)

[Alex Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-horne/)

> [I remember that the bass was turned up slightly more on the mix from last week, and I thought that was good - or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ronson/i-remember-that-the-bass-was-turned-up-slightly-more-on-the-mix-from/)

[Mark Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ronson/)

> [The Germans will make a few scattered attacks, then go away. The Romans will enjoy a fine September.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pietro-badoglio/the-germans-will-make-a-few-scattered-attacks-then-go-away-the-romans/)

Pietro Badoglio

> [I don't enjoy killing, but when done righteously, it's just a chore, like any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua/i-don-t-enjoy-killing-but-when-done-righteously-it-s-just-a-chore/)

[Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua/)

> [I enjoy upsetting the right people. I love poking fun at earnest censors. I want to push the bounds of what can be said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-yiannopoulos/i-enjoy-upsetting-the-right-people-i-love-poking-fun-at-earnest/)

[Milo Yiannopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-yiannopoulos/)

> [I don't own a yacht or a flashy car. I've always had safe cars because I do so much driving. I don't think I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rippon/i-don-t-own-a-yacht-or-a-flashy-car-i-ve-always-had-safe-cars-because/)

[Angela Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rippon/)

> [I really enjoy going to play for the national team and be with the guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cedi-osman/i-really-enjoy-going-to-play-for-the-national-team-and-be-with-the/)

[Cedi Osman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cedi-osman/)

> [The evening's the best part of the day. You've done your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kazuo-ishiguro/the-evening-s-the-best-part-of-the-day-you-ve-done-your-day-s-work/)

[Kazuo Ishiguro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kazuo-ishiguro/)

> [I really enjoy hosting, not necessarily because it provides more airtime, but because it allows me to be a part of more substantive discussions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-ponder/i-really-enjoy-hosting-not-necessarily-because-it-provides-more/)

[Samantha Ponder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-ponder/)

> [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/)

[Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/)

> [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/)

[Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/)

> [Today it is the skeptics who are the social conformists, though because of powerful intellectual propaganda they continue to enjoy thinking of themselves as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/today-it-is-the-skeptics-who-are-the-social-conformists-though/)

[Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/)

> [Certainly, it is. Love is love, and loss is loss. We all love, and we all die, and everyone suffers the pain of grieving.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynsay-sands/certainly-it-is-love-is-love-and-loss-is-loss-we-all-love-and-we-all/)

[Lynsay Sands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynsay-sands/)

Browse all 13,068 Enjoy quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I wish we could get back to those days, just let kids go and play and enjoy themselves on the streets instead of at academies too young.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert Snodgrass"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-just-let-kids-go-and-play-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Enjoy"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-just-let-kids-go-and-play-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/robert-snodgrass-5803_enjoy_i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-j_1164178.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/robert-snodgrass-5803_enjoy_i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-j_1164178.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/582/robert-snodgrass-5803_enjoy_i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-j_1164178.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I wish we could get back to those days, just let kids go and play and enjoy themselves on the streets…” — Robert Snodgrass",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Robert Snodgrass",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-snodgrass/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I wish we could get back...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-just-let-kids-go-and-play-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-snodgrass/i-wish-we-could-get-back-to-those-days-just-let-kids-go-and-play-and/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
