If I didn’t have it in 1977, you won’t have it today.
My children are convinced that the 1970s represent the worst era imaginable. Whenever their father and I share tales of our childhood, they look at us with a mix of confusion and sympathy, but mostly, I see relief on their faces that they will never have to experience that world. When they inquire about our seemingly mundane activities, their response, which they often echo in unison, is, “because there was nothing else to do.”
Despite their healthy dose of sarcasm regarding my upbringing, I generally have wonderful kids. However, like all children, they occasionally need consequences for their actions. I administer this by sending them to the one place they dread most: the 1970s.
In our home, the ’70s have become the ultimate punishment for significant misbehavior, and it doesn’t take long for them to understand the gravity of their actions.
While some parents advocate against punishment, I firmly believe in its necessity. Sure, discussions about misdeeds and reasoning with kids hold value, and I wholeheartedly agree. Yet, sometimes children can’t be reasoned with, and a break is beneficial for both the child and the parent. I see it as my responsibility to prepare them for the consequences of their actions in the real world.
Like most kids, my children recognize when they’ve done something wrong. They are aware of the rules in our home, yet in moments of impulse, they sometimes choose to ignore them. I recall my own childhood, hoping not to get caught, and I understand their decisions. While I’ve attempted talks and various forms of punishment, I’ve found that consequences tend to yield the best results.
The idea of sending my kids back in time emerged when it became evident that other disciplinary measures were ineffective. Initially, I would tell my little ones, “Go to the corner!” This harkened back to my own school days when teachers would use this punishment for excessive talking. I often found myself in the corner, facing the wall while daydreaming. When I sent my kids to the corner, I discovered them lying down, reading or daydreaming. Clearly, I needed a more effective strategy.
As they grew, I tried “Go to your room!” However, with cell phones, laptops, and an abundance of books and toys, their rooms were not the dreaded places I envisioned. When I’d call out that they could come out, they would cheekily respond, “That’s okay, Mom, I think I’ll just stay here.”
Eventually, I resorted to the most feared punishment of my youth: “You are grounded!” But for my tech-savvy kids, being confined to our home wasn’t the nightmare it used to be. They enjoyed spending time with us more than my generation did, so being grounded turned out to be a mild inconvenience rather than a dire consequence.
After numerous failed attempts to capture their attention meaningfully, the lightbulb went off when my youngest son remarked, “I would hate to have been a kid then.” Eureka!
I believe in maintaining a consistent approach to discipline. Kids should know what to expect, and any deterrent effect is lost if they can’t anticipate the outcome. So, I laid it out for them: if they broke any major family rules (like lying, disrespect, or getting into a car with a learner driver), they would be sent back to the ’70s.
If I didn’t have it in 1977, it’s off-limits for you in 2015. So, feel free to enjoy network television, and that landline phone you never touch? Use it to your heart’s content. We had a microwave in 1977, but I doubt Bagel Bites or Hot Pockets were around then. Maybe grab an apple instead.
Here’s a brief list of banned items: cell phones, computers, DVDs, GPS devices (yes, kids, you’ll have to use a map), iPods, Xbox, iPads, Kindles, Netflix, HBO, cable TV, and the ultimate no-no in our home: ESPN. Yes, boys, sports were only aired on network channels and only on weekends!
I do allow exceptions for things like airbags and anti-lock brakes—parental discretion. My children have not enjoyed their trips back in time. Although many kids fantasize about time travel, my kids despise it. Nevertheless, I’ve found no better form of punishment.
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In summary, sending my kids back to the 1970s has proven to be an effective disciplinary measure in our household. It’s a unique way to instill consequences while also reminding them of the lessons from my own childhood.