By: Jamie Carter
As outlandish as it may sound, growing up as a member of Generation X involved experiences that would likely bewilder my children today. I can already imagine the tales I’ll share with them as they mature and start families of their own.
“Listen up, kiddos! You think navigating your social media and smartphones is tough? In my day, we had to…”
-
Drive a Car Manually
Remember the days before automatic everything? My generation knew how to operate a vehicle without the luxury of power steering or automatic locks. We had to physically pull up the locks with our fingers! And if you wanted to crack a window for some fresh air or to let out smoke—smoking was a norm back then, even for kids—you had to crank the window manually. Positioning the seat? That was a quest in itself. Safety was a mere suggestion; seat belts were optional, and kids often found themselves lounging on the back ledge or sitting in the front seat long before car seats were a thing. Thanks, Mom, for that outstretched arm! -
Change TV Channels by Hand
Oh, the struggle of channel surfing! If you wanted to watch something different, you had to lug yourself over to the television. Yes, the channels were limited to just 13, and only a handful were actually worth watching. And don’t forget about the shock of walking across shag carpet! If the reception was poor, you might have to adjust the rabbit ears or even hold them yourself—because somehow, the TV worked better with you near it. And if you got a remote, it was likely attached to the TV by a wire that everyone tripped over. What’s a remote? Never mind, just enjoy your endless streaming options on your devices now! -
Handle Records Like Pros
You kids may have seen records in retro videos, but back in my day, they were our primary music source. To play a song, you had to carefully place a needle on the record—too much pressure, and you could ruin it. If you were skilled, you could find the perfect spot to hear your favorite tune. Our speakers were massive, sometimes doubling as furniture! -
Answer the Phone Without Knowing Who’s Calling
Imagine picking up the phone with no idea who’s on the other end! There were no caller IDs or special rings back then. You had to hope it was a friend or, even better, your crush. And once you answered, you were tethered to the wall by a coiled cord, unable to escape the phone’s location. The horror! -
Use a 35 mm Camera
Capturing a moment was a meticulous process. We had to load film into our cameras, and each roll typically held only 18 to 36 shots. That meant being selective about what to photograph since we wouldn’t see the results for weeks, if not longer. Those memories could vanish if the film got exposed. We didn’t have instant gratification; we had anticipation. -
Navigate with Paper Maps
Before GPS and smartphone navigation, we relied on cumbersome paper maps that unfolded to a ridiculous size. Plotting a course required finger dexterity and a lot of patience, especially with frustrated parents giving directions. And if we veered off track, our only hope was a gas station attendant who was, let’s be honest, probably just as lost. -
Research Without the Internet
We didn’t have Google at our fingertips. Instead, we relied on books—those printed things made of paper—and spent time in libraries, where a system called Dewey Decimal reigned supreme. We borrowed books and shared knowledge, often relying on encyclopedias purchased in installments. Imagine trying to write a report without access to the entire alphabet!
So, dear children, when you complain about your devices running out of battery or your streaming service buffering, remember what we endured during our childhood.
For more insights on navigating parenthood and the latest in home insemination, check out this informative post and explore the journey of resilience in Mia’s path to parenthood. If you’re interested in pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is also worth checking out.
Summary
Growing up in the past involved a range of experiences that today’s kids would find hard to imagine, from manually changing TV channels to using paper maps for navigation. Each memory paints a picture of a different era, highlighting the conveniences and challenges faced by previous generations.