As a child of the ’80s, I have vivid memories of a time when freedom was the norm. Back then, my parents allowed us to engage in activities that would likely raise eyebrows — or even lead to legal trouble — for today’s parents. Free-range parenting wasn’t a trendy phrase; it was just how life was. Sure, we may have been blissfully unaware of numerous dangers, but boy, did we have a blast! Now that we know better, many safety regulations have come into play since those carefree, and let’s be honest, risky days. If I attempted to let my kids relive some of that ’80s magic, I could easily find myself in hot water, facing fines or even a night behind bars. Here are just a few of those reckless joys:
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Riding in the Back of a Pickup Truck
I can still feel the rush of wind as I bounced around in the back of my dad’s trusty blue Ford. My best buddy and I, decked out in our bikini tops and cut-offs, clutching orange sodas, laughed until our sides hurt. Danger? Pfft! That thought never crossed our minds. -
Waiting Alone in the Car
My mom frequently dashed into the store, leaving me and my siblings waiting in the car. It was just what everyone did! We’d squabble, tell stories, and hope she returned soon with a treat. I once heard a friend confess to “using” the seatbelt hole out of desperation during a prolonged shopping chat! That’s a memory worth a hearty laugh! -
Staying Home Alone
My parents began leaving me unsupervised at home around first grade. I’d sneak chocolate, try on my mom’s heels, and belt out Cyndi Lauper songs with a whisk in hand. I was fine—no accidents or mishaps! Back then, my parents didn’t have cell phones to check on me, but trust me, if they did, I wouldn’t have revealed my chocolate stash. -
No Helmets, No Problem
We lived for our bikes, roller skates, and skateboards, and helmets were nowhere to be found. We rolled down hills and skated on icy sidewalks with total abandon. Safety gear? Nah, that wasn’t part of our playbook! -
Seat Belt Shenanigans
On long car rides, my sisters and I would shove seat belts into the couch cracks, opting instead to roll around the floor of our Caprice Classic, building forts. Sometimes my little sister would even curl up on my mom’s lap to avoid car sickness. What were we thinking? -
Buying Cigarettes and Alcohol
If you had a friendly local store owner, it was no problem for your parents to send you to pick up their smokes or beer. Sure, I could barely see over the counter, but hey, it was all good! -
Walking Alone
In kindergarten, I confidently walked to my sitter’s house with a friend after school. If we wanted to hit the playground a few blocks away, we were off—no adult supervision required. Those were the days of independence!
What I cherish most from my ’80s childhood are the evenings spent playing outside until the streetlights flickered on. We got dirty, built forts, splashed in puddles, and made friends with all kinds of kids. Schedules and tracking devices? Not in our vocabulary. We were wild, carefree, and blissfully happy. While I completely understand why things have changed, I feel so fortunate to have these joyful, free-spirited memories. Maybe we all just got lucky to make it out of the ’80s in one piece, but wasn’t it a fantastic ride while it lasted?
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Summary
The carefree days of the ’80s were filled with activities that might raise eyebrows today. From riding in the back of pickup trucks to staying home alone, these nostalgic adventures highlight a time of freedom and innocence. While things have changed for safety’s sake, the sweet memories of that era remain cherished.