Do you ever feel nostalgic for the simpler parenting days our parents experienced? I definitely do! While I’m grateful for the advances in child safety and health, I can’t help but think that the parenting landscape has shifted dramatically. Here’s a look at ten ways our parents had it way easier than we do today.
1. Babysitters? Not a Concern!
Back in the day, parties were often filled with adults enjoying drinks and laughter, and kids were simply part of the scene. No one stressed about hiring a babysitter; kids roamed free, playing games like “Ghosts in the Graveyard” without a care. Today, try bringing children to a gathering and see how quickly people start judging.
2. Car Seats Were Optional
Remember when your mom would toss you in the back seat and let you find your own spot? My own experience involved wedging myself between the seats without a thought about safety straps. Nowadays, ensuring the right car seat fit is a whole production!
3. Child Entertainment Wasn’t Their Job
Entertaining kids is a relatively new expectation. I don’t think my parents ever felt the need to plan activities for me and my siblings. We filled our days with imaginative play, never asking for guidance or entertainment from them.
4. Vices Were Personal Choices
My dad was a heavy smoker, and it wasn’t something he worried about impacting us. He eventually quit, but not out of guilt; it was for his own health. Today, if I even think about smoking, I have to go through an elaborate process to ensure my kids are safe from any lingering effects.
5. Drinking During Pregnancy Was Commonplace
My mom casually enjoyed a whisky sour each night when she was pregnant with me. I can’t even enjoy a glass of wine without researching the potential effects on my unborn child, thanks to the pressure of modern parenting views.
6. Crafts Were Dangerous Fun
Remember Shrinky Dinks? Our parents baked those plastic arts and crafts in the oven while we hovered nearby, inhaling who-knows-what fumes. Now, finding safe, non-toxic toys requires hours of research, which can be utterly exhausting.
7. Public Parenting Without Fear
It was perfectly acceptable for parents to raise their voices in public without facing judgment or calls to child protective services. Today, if a parent even raises their voice, they might get side-eye from passersby, making it hard to maintain authority.
8. Dinner was Not a Negotiation
I honestly can’t recall ever being asked what I wanted for dinner as a kid. It was just dinner time, and we ate what was served. Nowadays, negotiating meals feels like a full-on debate.
9. Child-Proofing? What’s That?
Growing up, I learned about danger through experience—like touching a hot stove or falling down stairs. Today, I child-proof everything, leaving my child blissfully unaware of any potential hazards.
10. Love Regardless of Parenting Style
Despite their laissez-faire approach, we loved our parents and cherished our childhoods. Nowadays, parents worry that if they don’t treat their kids as equals or let them cry for a moment, they are setting them up for future emotional issues.
In summary, while our parents had a much more relaxed approach to parenting, today’s parents have to navigate a minefield of expectations and concerns. For more insights on navigating the complexities of family life, check out our post on the Home Insemination Kit, or dive deeper into fertility topics at Intracervical Insemination. For excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Mount Sinai.