When my mom sees this article, she’ll insist that she was more of a beatnik than a hippie. Classic! Even in her counterculture glory, she can’t quite fit the mold. Regardless, I always felt like I was growing up in a wonderfully quirky environment. My early years were spent running wild and free on Martha’s Vineyard, and we moved around the country so much that I proudly claimed we had relocated 13 times by age 13 (and yes, that was true). My parents were always on a quest for self-discovery, world change, and adventure.
We were true hippies—not the trendy ones that popped up in my high school in the ’90s, sporting plastic peace-sign earrings and pre-torn jeans. We were the real deal, munching on tofu and sipping soy milk long before it was mainstream. Here are some telltale signs that you, too, were raised by flower children:
- The day John Lennon passed away felt like a family catastrophe. Everyone gathered around the vintage black-and-white TV to witness the news. It was the first time you saw your parents shed tears, as if losing a member of the family. John (yes, he was on a first-name basis with everyone in your home) had been your lullaby since you were in the womb. It’s still unfathomable to you that he’s gone.
- You were ahead of the curve on “clean eating” and avoiding “processed foods” before those phrases were even a thing. Sugar-laden cereals were a definite no-go, and at a friend’s house, the guilt of munching on Lucky Charms haunted you as you watched the milk turn a concerning shade of pink.
- You embraced Dr. Bronner’s soap like a religion, frolicking in minty bubbles while chanting “All one! All one!” as your mom washed your hair.
- Alex P. Keaton fascinated you with a mix of repulsion and intrigue. How could someone so charming be a registered Republican? You pondered what chaos would ensue if you married him someday.
- Your mom’s well-worn copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves was your go-to reference guide. You learned about everything from birth control to natural childbirth at a tender age, making teenage conversations with friends a tad awkward.
- You had to stifle your love for the Material Girl initially, as she seemed to embody everything wrong with capitalism. The first time you heard of Richard Marx, you wondered if he was Karl’s great-grandson and if he shared the same views on religion.
- Forget Cheetos and Doritos; your snack time consisted of sunflower seeds scattered on the wicker coffee table. For a fancy treat, you might indulge in a carob-covered rice cake.
- Your mom was the first to hear about your first romantic escapade, knowing all the juicy details of your teenage love life (thank you, No. 5).
- Holidays that celebrated patriotism felt a bit uneasy. You questioned the pledge of allegiance as thoughts of Vietnam and slavery buzzed in your mind—thanks to your parents’ early lessons on American history.
- Without intending to, you broke the news about Santa and the Tooth Fairy to other kids on the school bus. Your parents, in their honesty, forgot to mention that other children were supposed to remain blissfully unaware of the truth.
- You secretly read Spiritual Midwifery tucked inside your math book during trigonometry, dreaming of early graduation so you could run away to The Farm with your boyfriend for Ina May to deliver your future babies (or was that just me?).
- When people referenced “granola” as a hippie archetype, you wondered what the fuss was all about—granola was just breakfast, right?
- By your 20s, therapy sessions revolved around boundary issues (see No. 8).
- As a parent, some things came naturally. When your newborn fussed at bedtime, you simply brought them into your bed. After all, you grew up sleeping cozily with your family. The tricky part was explaining the concept of scheduled nap times to your own parents who had carted you off to Grateful Dead concerts.
- You were unfazed when your firstborn started calling you by your first name. But your heart melted when your second child called you “Mommy” and your partner “Daddy.”
Like many children, I had a beautifully imperfect childhood. While I appreciate the lessons my wanderlust upbringing instilled in me about diversity and resilience, I often craved a bit more stability. Now, as a parent, I’ve embraced a mix of traditional and alternative lifestyles, carrying forward the spirit of questioning norms and believing in love over materialism. Want to learn more? Check out this post on privacy policies for additional insights on home insemination.
In summary, if you can relate to these experiences, it’s likely you were raised in a home filled with love, laughter, and a touch of counterculture.