The late 20th century was a unique era. Men savored their drinks, women enjoyed cigarettes, and everyone had a taste for Tang and SPAM. Stay-at-home moms, once the backbone of family life, were comfortable in their roles, while children roamed freely, and parents set the rules. Those were the days I cherish, having grown up in that environment.
As I observe today’s parents gently asking their kids—like the little ones named Easton and Brynna—to tone it down during morning tumbling classes, I can’t help but cringe. While I try to keep my opinions to myself, I sometimes feel compelled to voice my thoughts when kids’ behavior spirals out of control, such as when they’re throwing toys or shrieking while the adults remain engrossed in small talk about the weather.
Maybe I get a bit passive-aggressive, grumbling things like, “Wouldn’t it be nice if parents could reign in their kids?” It’s possible I’m crossing a line, but someone has to call it out. We need to address the sense of entitlement that seems to have taken root in today’s youth. This isn’t a rant or a lecture; rather, I long for the straightforward (if occasionally neglectful) parenting style of the ’70s and ’80s. Sometimes, I can almost hear our parents and grandparents whispering, “You’re doing it wrong.” They might not be entirely right, but they might not be completely off either. So, if I haven’t ruffled your feathers too much, keep reading.
Play Was Unstructured
Remember when play was uncomplicated? Little Tommy from down the street would knock on the door, asking to see if Jake could come out and play. There were no elaborate schedules or playdates to arrange; no smartphones with color-coded calendars. Instead, Mom would call out for Tommy, and off they went, creating adventures with sticks and stones. Nature sparked creativity in a way that I worry today’s kids might miss out on, as the world seems to have handed them everything on a silver platter, leaving little room for original thought.
Let’s talk about playtime. When it was lunchtime, all Mom had to do was call out their names, and they’d come running for a meal decided by her—no choices involved. My son, sitting behind me, just said, “I don’t know what to play.” When did parents start becoming activity coordinators? Kids nowadays seemingly don’t even know how to be bored.
Toys Were Simple
Remember Slinkys and Shrinky Dinks? While they still exist, many of those classics have been pushed aside for the lure of electronics. Our version of tech was the board game Battleship or the electronic marvel of Simon. Kids would spin around until they felt dizzy, but those toys had an undeniable charm. Let’s not even start on Lite-Brite; I could never create those fancy designs shown in the commercials. Instead, I made odd little shapes that didn’t quite resemble anything at all.
Now we have iPads, Kindles, and gaming consoles, with new and improved versions coming out every year. As kids unwrap the latest gadgets at birthday parties, parents know that this happiness is fleeting; a newer model will be out soon, often at a higher price. We want to keep up with the Joneses, and I’m guilty of this too—so I’m not casting stones.
Cartoons Were a Saturday Treat
Saturday mornings were magical. We’d indulge in sugary cereals that were off-limits any other day of the week. My grandmother would only buy cereals with sugar as the third or fourth ingredient for weekdays, but on Saturday, we could gorge ourselves while glued to the TV, watching cartoons until lunch. Nowadays, kids have access to cartoons 24/7. I remember when my daughter was ill, and I had a multitude of shows to choose from at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday. Back then, Saturday was our only chance to catch cartoons, and we watched whatever our parents deemed appropriate.
We Followed Our Parents’ Lead
As kids, we didn’t have options. If our parents decided on a beach trip, we piled into the car, donned our water wings, and accepted our fate—often returning home sunburned but happy. Their words were the law, and we believed them. I miss the straightforward parenting styles of yesteryear, where phrases like “I’ll give you something to cry about” or “no ifs, ands, or buts” reigned supreme, rather than today’s more lenient alternatives like “no treat tonight” or “early bedtime.”
Food Wasn’t Organic
Food back then was simple, either because it lacked chemicals or because our parents just didn’t care. We consumed SPAM and Fluffernutters like they were gourmet meals. With today’s rise in allergies, EpiPens and hand sanitizer have become essentials. Kids today might not even be able to enjoy ice cream or peanut butter! Meals were eaten in their entirety, or we didn’t leave the table until we finished—no exceptions.
The Family Pet
Dogs were simply that: dogs. They had names like Rex or Fido, not after fictional characters. Our pets didn’t wear outfits or attend therapy sessions; they just existed as loyal companions. Just as my children know their place, so did our dogs. I refuse to schedule playdates for my dog or bring her to a canine matchmaking event. Instead, I promise to let her run, enjoy her meals, and act like a dog. We’ve lost that simplicity today.
Yes, I’m guilty of many of the things I’ve mentioned, and I acknowledge my hypocrisy. Yet, I hope we can find a middle ground between the carefree, possibly neglectful parenting of the past and the overly involved, sometimes coddling style of today. Parenting is challenging, and we’re all just trying to navigate it as best we can—no matter the decade.
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Summary:
In reminiscing about parenting in the ’70s and ’80s, I reflect on the simplicity of play, toys, and family routines. The carefree nature of childhood, the limited options we had, and the straightforward parenting styles are deeply missed. Today, we navigate a world of technology and parenting challenges that often feel overwhelming. While I acknowledge my own contradictions, I yearn for a balance between the past and present parenting styles, ultimately recognizing that we’re all just trying to do our best.
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