What's left when every generation's childhood is shorter?

A 2-year-old was running on the playground last month, as 2-year-olds do.

He banged into a railing, as 2-year-olds do.

And he got a cut on his head, as 2-year-olds do.

His mother sued the city, as parents do. The accident, she claimed, hurt "his modeling and acting career."

No, I am not making this up, In a letter to city officials, the mother claimed the roiling was too green, making it blend in with the landscaping. It should have been painted a brighter color.

And, of course, she claimed damages. She wanted money for medical bills, for pain and suffering, and for lost wages due to her child's "inability to audition or take modeling or commercial jobs while his head heals."

I'm not sure it's the kid's head that needs healing.

What I am sure of is this: I feel older every year. I read a story like that and what I mainly take away from it is not that parents will sue over anything these days, but that the 2-year-old has a career! A career that a playground could interrupt!

When you're 2, isn't the playground your career? I mean, really, how many baby food commercials are out there? What can a kid say at 2--besides "No!" and "Gimme!" and "I don't wanna!"

I do not remember being 2 years old. But I have been told, to much laughter over the years, that at that age, all I did was sit on the curb and watch the cars go by. I never spoke a word. My mother took me to the doctor to see if there was something wrong with me. (Of course, that's what mothers did back in those days. Today, she would sue the city for lack of stimulus.)

Anyhow, the doctor said don't worry, I would start talking eventually, which I did. My mother did not seek damages for my silence. She did not look at everyday life as depriving me of a paycheck.

But back then, we had this strange concept. It was called "childhood." It was not to be raced through. It was not in the way of a career.

Today, childhood is something you endure until you get to the big money. Britney Spears couldn't wait to shake her teen image. Freddy Adu, 14, will get carpooled to his new job as a multimillion-dollar soccer player.

Nobody is too young anymore. I saw a TV news piece about an actress named Hilary Duff. She was blond and beautiful and dressed, as young actresses dress these days, in tight, sexy, revealing clothing. She was promoting a new album and lamenting how tired she was of being typecast. She is 16.

Nobody wants to wait anymore. Little leaguers travel cross-country for tournaments as if they were already pros. Pre-teens go to computer camp to get a jump on the competition.

Recently, a disturbing movie called "Thirteen" depicted girls of that age doing drugs and having sex. One of the actresses, Nikki Reed, co-wrote the script when she was 13, according to the notes. Co-wrote the script?

So I guess a 2-year-old can act. And model. And he certainly can't wait for a cut to heal. Think of the lost opportunities!

Am I surprised his mother sued the city? Not at all. But I expect the case will be tried late in the day.

The attorney has to ride his bike from school.

Mitch Albom is the author of the bestseller "Tuesdays With Morrie."