Back to School: A Comparison of the 1970s and Today

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As summer winds down, the back-to-school hustle begins, but it looks quite different now than it did in the 1970s. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and compare the experiences of gearing up for a new school year then and now.

Back to School in the 1970s

1. As August comes to a close, it’s time to head downtown for back-to-school shopping at Sears. Grab a couple of new pairs of corduroy pants and striped tees for the kids. Throw in a pair of dungarees for the boys and some culottes for the girls. Sorry, Jessica, but that orange and red poncho is a no-go. Instead, promise to crochet a more stylish one with extra fringe. Don’t forget to pick up some of that fuzzy rainbow yarn they love for their hair. Total cost? Just $43. Afterward, treat the family to grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate milk at Woolworth’s lunch counter.
2. The night before the first day of school—traditionally the Sunday after Labor Day—pack the kids into the station wagon for a late-night dash to Eckerds or K-Mart. Hurry them along to choose a lunchbox, reminding them that decisions need to be made quickly! Kimberly, if you can’t pick between Holly Hobbie and The Bionic Woman, I’ll just go with Pigs in Space. Don’t forget to grab a composition notebook and a pack of pencils. And be sure to save some grocery bags to cover those textbooks after day one.
3. Reward yourself with a pack of Virginia Slims on the way home.
4. On the big morning, brew a cup of Sanka and line up the lunchboxes on the kitchen counter. It’s time to assemble those lunches.
5. Start with some bread, add yellow mustard, bologna, a slice of American cheese, and wrap it all in tin foil. Every child gets the same lunch, no exceptions.
6. Other sandwich options could be peanut butter and jelly, leftovers, or the classic tuna salad with lots of onions and celery.
7. Pack some Planter’s Cheese Balls in a baggie and toss in a Twinkie for dessert.
8. Fill their thermoses with Kool-Aid or whole milk, and add a red delicious apple, even though you know it will probably come back home uneaten.
9. Close those lunchboxes and send the kids off with a frosted Pop-Tart in hand. Then, put on some Barry Manilow and enjoy the brief peace until dinner.

Back to School Today

1. First, take a deep breath and repeat a positive affirmation. You still have time before school starts. Order BPA-free bento boxes and stainless steel tiffins—no child labor involved. Thanks to Amazon Prime, you can have them shipped in two days while you manage summer camp activities for your kids.
2. A week later, the bento boxes arrive, along with the school’s extensive supply list—three and a half pages long, including a ten-pound bag of flour and a Costco-sized pack of toilet paper.
3. Start your frantic search for eco-friendly school bags that are also stylish. Don’t forget to monogram them!
4. Take the kids to the mall for a shopping spree at Gymboree. Expect to spend upwards of $2,387.07 on new outfits.
5. Consider a visit to a child psychologist to help them cope with the transition into a new grade and classroom.
6. Review the allergy list carefully, making notes to avoid any items that could trigger a reaction. This is crucial because you certainly don’t want to be the parent responsible for a child’s allergic reaction.
7. Gather school supplies, which will differ from the classroom supply list. Expect to buy everything from pens and notebooks to a graphing calculator and even an electron microscope.
8. Head to Whole Foods for lunch supplies, a task that will take hours as you scrutinize every label for organic and allergy-friendly options. Somehow, you’ll end up spending $76.19 on tahini and rice cakes.
9. The night before school, prepare those bento boxes with local strawberries cut into sea creature shapes and a sandwich crafted from vegan hemp bread and kale.
10. Write a motivational note for your child, include some stickers, and pack a bottle of filtered water alongside chilled coconut water for hydration.
11. Don’t forget to document this experience on social media and hope it goes viral!
12. Rise at 4 AM on the first day to create adorable signs for photo ops on the front step. Set up a full-fledged back-to-school photo booth and make alphabet-shaped pancakes.
13. Dress the kids in matching outfits and spend a good chunk of time photographing them.
14. Once they’re in their classrooms, take a moment to cry in the car, but it’s alright—you’ll be back to pick them up later for their afternoon activities.

In summary, while the back-to-school experience has transformed dramatically from the simplicity of the 1970s to today’s elaborate preparations, the essence of sending kids off to learn and grow remains unchanged. For further insights into family planning and parenting, check out other blog posts like this one or consider reputable retailers like Make A Mom for at-home insemination kits. Additionally, for detailed information on intrauterine insemination, Cleveland Clinic offers excellent resources.