Have you ever thought about how much simpler parenting seemed for our parents? I certainly have. While I’m grateful that children today have more safety measures in place, it often feels like I’m navigating a parenting minefield compared to the carefree approach our parents took. Here are ten ways they had it much easier:
1. Who Needs Babysitters?
Remember those days when kids were just part of the adult world? Our parents would host gatherings with drinks and laughter, and we’d be running wild outside. No one ever thought twice about leaving us to play “Capture the Flag” or whatever. Today, you’d likely end up on a parenting blog for even thinking about bringing your kids to an adult gathering.
2. Car Seats? What Car Seats?
My mom simply tossed me into the backseat, where I often found myself wedged between the seats—no car seat straps in sight. While I appreciate the advancements in safety, can you imagine the freedom of just piling into the car without wrestling with a car seat?
3. Entertainment? Not My Job!
Today, parents feel the pressure to constantly entertain their kids. My siblings and I spent hours creating our own fun, and I can’t remember my parents ever feeling obligated to keep us entertained.
4. Vices? No Big Deal.
My dad was a heavy smoker, and that didn’t seem to raise any eyebrows back then. It was a personal choice for him to quit, and parental guilt wasn’t a factor. I, on the other hand, make sure to scrub myself down after even a casual smoke before being around my kids.
5. Pregnancy Drinking — A Norm.
My mom had a cocktail regularly while pregnant with me, and it was no cause for concern. I, however, would hesitate to even sip a drink while pregnant, thanks to the endless worrying and research I’ve done.
6. Toxic Fun with Shrinky Dinks!
Baking plastic in the oven was a standard pastime, and we weren’t worried about fumes. Nowadays, finding non-toxic toys is an exhausting task. I mean, who knew it could take hours to ensure a toy is BPA-free and not made overseas?
7. Yelling in Public? No Problem!
Public outbursts were once just part of parenting. Today, a stern voice can lead to stares and judgment, while back then, a raised voice simply meant you were managing your child.
8. Dinner Choices? Forget It!
I can’t recall ever being asked what I wanted for dinner. It was simply whatever my parents decided to make, and we ate it without complaint.
9. Child-Proofing? What’s That?
I knew what it felt like to touch a hot stove or take a tumble down the stairs, and I survived to tell the tale. My child, however, is padded and protected from all dangers thanks to my obsessive child-proofing skills.
10. And We Still Love Them!
Despite being tossed in the back of pickup trucks or allowed to play with matches, we still cherish our parents. Today, we live in fear that a moment of neglect could lead to a lifetime of therapy for our kids.
In conclusion, while our parents operated under a different set of expectations, they managed just fine, and we turned out okay too. Balancing modern parenting with the lessons from the past can be tricky, but there’s a lot we can learn from the simpler times. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit March of Dimes and to explore options for creating your family, check out CryoBaby’s at-home insemination kit.
Keyphrase: Parents had it easier
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