Being a mom is a joy that I cherish every day, and I hope my kids can see how much I embrace it. I learned from the best—my own mom, who made motherhood seem effortless and fun. She thrived in a time that was far less complicated, free from the constant worries about GMOs, UV rays, or even seat belts. It was a fantastic era to be a parent, and I remember it fondly as a child. Here are 12 reasons why my mom and her fellow ’70s moms were absolutely awesome:
- She promoted the idea of being Free to Be…You and Me. Emotions were embraced; judging others was out. Not to mention, she showed us that even moms were real people with their own struggles.
- She was a smoker. Nowadays, we know it’s not cool, but back then, it was seen as glamorous. Plus, it gave us the chance to craft funky ashtrays in art class.
- She bought us candy cigarettes. Oh yes, we had our share of “smoking” fun too!
- She quit smoking. Major props, Mom! I thought giving up Diet Coke was tough.
- She adorned herself with turquoise rings that jingled against the plastic steering wheel of her station wagon, belting out “I Am Woman” on her 8-track.
- She hosted bridge games in the afternoons, indulging in strawberry daiquiris while playing with friends.
- She embroidered denim shirts for everyone—us, our cousins, the babysitter, and her bridge club. I still have my shirt, decorated with a butterfly, a dragonfly, and a heart. Be envious!
- She taught us how to do The Hustle. I distinctly remember learning this at Vacation Bible School, right after our sugary snacks.
- She took us to see Grease. She was shocked when she discovered its themes about teenage romance, but we were blissfully unaware, even after playing the album on repeat.
- She was a multitasker, bringing home the bacon and frying it up in the pan!
- She explored belly dancing, tole painting, calligraphy, and even Parent Effectiveness Training. Sure, we might have been left with an elderly neighbor who made us butter and sugar sandwiches for lunch, but we survived!
- She adored Erma Bombeck, whose humor and insights into motherhood remain relevant and entertaining even today.
My mom was just as cool in the ’80s, rocking her Jane Fonda workout tapes and sporting those iconic shoulder pads. I often wonder what my kids will remember about me. Will it be my obsession with yoga pants? My nutritious spinach brownies? Or my blog? Maybe I should take up embroidery too!
Disclaimer: Mom actually quit smoking shortly after I was born, but my grandparents were still smokers, so I crafted ashtrays for them. Also, her bridge club met in the evenings; afternoons were for taking us to the pool to soak up those UV rays (with strict rules about swimming after eating).
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In summary, the ’70s were a unique time for motherhood, filled with quirky styles, carefree parenting, and life lessons that shaped a generation.
Keyphrase: “moms of the ’70s”
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