The present study aimed to discuss the voice of childhood in the contemporary family. In order to obtain data, face-to-face interviews with a semi-structured script were conducted. The study involved eight children from the urban middle class population of Rio de Janeiro, consisting of four girls and four boys, aged between 7 and 11 years, belonging to seven married families and one separated family, with only one child having no siblings. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a semi-structured script. The results were analyzed using the content analysis method in its categorical aspect. From the intervieweesnarratives, the following categories of analysis emerged: play; rules and productivity; being cared for, unfolded in the categories of care references and space to feel and express; and caregiving. The results will be presented in two articles. The first aims to reflect on the childhood experience in the daily lives of children. The second aims to investigate the childhood experience of being cared for and caring for others. The data indicated the impact of electronic media on children s daily lives, as well as the limited availability of adults to play with children at home. Additionally, we found that children seem to understand and respect established rules, as long as these are communicated non-coercively and accompanied by explanations. We also identified the persistent predominance of women, whether mothers or caregivers, in taking care of children. We observed that parental presence is often compromised by excessive time devoted to work and productivity. Furthermore, participants accounts highlighted the internalization of caregiving roles by children, who creatively and childishly assumed the responsibility of caring.