As a member of the older millennial generation, I find myself uniquely positioned between the world of yesterday and the age of technology today. Growing up, I experienced life before social media, smartphones, and high-speed internet. Now, as a parent to a young child, I’ve come to realize that many elements that shaped my childhood would seem utterly foreign to him.
My little one is surrounded by devices like tablets and smartphones, and he can’t fathom that these gadgets didn’t exist when I was growing up. Sometimes, he even doubts that I watched some of the same TV shows as he does. As he matures, the technological and cultural gaps between our experiences will only widen. Soon, he’ll be inquiring about the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s with the same curiosity that I have when I ask my parents about the ’70s. I seem to add to this list daily. Here’s what I have compiled:
- Dial-Up Internet
It’s hard to imagine that getting online once required a phone line, making that iconic screeching sound to connect. - Home Phone Lines
Attached to the wall, landlines were the norm. You’d leave your house without your phone, something my child will find hard to believe. - Beepers
An old gadget that was once popular—unless you were a doctor, beepers were cumbersome, especially when you needed to find a phone to respond. - Pay Phones
Imagine a random phone booth on the street where you could make a call with just a quarter. My child will think that sounds like a fairy tale. - Answering Machines
Before voicemail took over, these tape recorders captured messages for us while we were out. Racing to get to the machine before someone else was a thrill. - Cassette Tapes
At my son’s age, cassette tapes were the go-to for portable music. I’d strut around with my Walkman, feeling quite trendy. - CDs
By third grade, CDs took the spotlight, and I built an impressive collection that lasted for years. - VHS Tapes/VCRs
I miss my extensive Disney VHS collection. While clunky and requiring constant rewinding, they were iconic, especially for lengthy films like Titanic, which came on two tapes. - Video Stores
The excitement of visiting the local Blockbuster on a Friday night to rent a video was unmatched. It was infuriating when the previous renter forgot to “be kind, rewind!” - Butterfly Clips
These were the pinnacle of hair accessories during my tween years. I often adorned my sneakers with them instead of using them in my hair. - Sanrio
While Hello Kitty remains timeless, characters like Keroppi and Badtz-Maru are largely unknown to this generation, and the Sanrio boutiques we once loved have faded away. - TRL (Total Request Live)
MTV used to air music videos regularly, and standing outside their Times Square studio hoping to see celebrities was a rite of passage. - Dunkaroos
These classic 90s snacks were simply cookies with frosting. Today, they’d likely be deemed inappropriate for school lunches. - Beanie Babies
We believed they would be worth a fortune, but alas, they now sit gathering dust in attics across the country. - T.G.I.F.
While shows like Full House have made comebacks, nothing beats the excitement of classic T.G.I.F. shows like Family Matters or Sister, Sister. - Saturday Morning Cartoons
Waking up early on Saturdays to watch animated shows like DuckTales and Recess with a bowl of sugary cereal was a cherished ritual. ABC truly had the best lineup.
It’s a shame I didn’t hold onto more of these items, as the only way my child might encounter them is in a museum someday. It reminds me of a line from Clueless: “The way I feel about the Rolling Stones is the way my kids will feel about modern bands.” Growing up has its bittersweet moments.
This exploration of nostalgia reveals just how much has changed in a relatively short time. If you’re curious about more aspects of home insemination, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the technological marvels and cultural icons of my childhood will likely seem like relics from a distant past to my children. From dial-up internet to VHS tapes, the landscape of childhood has evolved dramatically, and it’s fascinating to reflect on these changes.