The early expectations of Bert growing up in the mountains may have been that she grow up quickly and marry at a young age (as evidenced by the path her sister, Ruth took) and yet, Bert longed for more out of life and therefore, tried to delay her growing up. Lucy, on the other hand, was able to linger in her childhood alongside her siblings and Nancy Drew.
Children in the 40s seemingly were expected to balance fun and chores, were less entitled and took less for granted, learned about the world through actual experience versus sitting inside with an iPhone, iPad, or computer.