As I tracked my daughter’s whereabouts using a GPS app on my phone while simultaneously messaging my son during his bus ride home from school, I couldn’t help but laugh at how drastically parenting has changed since my own childhood. With technology that alerts us if our teens are speeding and car seats that would make astronauts envious, today’s parenting landscape is undeniably safer.
It’s a wonder we made it through childhood unscathed. The carefree days of sipping from a garden hose and playing outside until dark seem innocent compared to the dangers we now recognize in parenting. Here are nine things our parents did that are considered total no-no’s in today’s world:
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Smoking and Drinking While Pregnant
While my mother wasn’t a smoker, I vividly remember my friend’s heavily pregnant mother puffing away as she urged us to play outside. Back then, consuming alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy was just part of the norm. Today, we know better, making it shocking to think of those days. I once ordered a glass of wine two days before giving birth and received a lecture from the waitress—oh how times have changed! -
Riding in the Wayback of Station Wagons
My siblings and I loved to entertain ourselves in the back of our family’s station wagon, oblivious to the dangers we posed to ourselves and others. Now, as I drive my kids around in a vehicle equipped with airbags and advanced seatbelt systems, I’m grateful we didn’t have an accident back then. Sometimes, I find myself yearning for those blissfully ignorant days. -
Neglecting Car Seats and Seat Belts
Back in the day, children would sit unrestrained in the backseat, or even worse, on their mother’s lap in the front. Those were the days when a mother’s arms were deemed adequate protection. Can you imagine seeing a baby on a lap in the front seat today? #SafetyFirst -
Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
My father was a chain smoker, and I can still recall the comforting scent of his pipe smoke wafting through our home. He would create smoke rings to amuse us, completely unaware of the health risks associated with secondhand smoke. Nowadays, we have a wealth of research highlighting its dangers. -
Eating Raw Cookie Dough
Yes, I confess—I still indulge in cookie dough from time to time, despite the risks of salmonella. Some habits from childhood die hard! -
Leaving Kids Home Alone
We were the original latchkey kids, coming home to empty houses while our parents worked long hours. We roamed the neighborhood without anyone knowing where we were. It was a different era, and we survived, but it’s hard to believe how much freedom we had with scissors and knives in arm’s reach! -
Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks
What were parents thinking? Riding in the back of a moving pickup truck was once seen as a harmless adventure. Looking back, I can’t help but question their judgment. -
Helmet-less Adventures
Whether we were zipping down the street on our banana seat bikes or hitting the slopes in our colorful snowsuits, helmets were nowhere to be found. I can’t count how many times I fell off my bike and hit my head. While the past may have been more carefree, I’m grateful my kids have to wear helmets. -
Cribs as Death Traps
My younger siblings loved to climb in and out of their crib, often resulting in loud thuds and cries for help. Cribs back then were filled with plush bedding that we now know can be dangerous. It’s unnerving to think of those so-called “safe” sleeping environments.
While our parents may argue that we’re overprotecting our children and preventing them from becoming self-sufficient, the truth is that just because we survived those reckless days doesn’t mean we were unscathed. In 20 years, I fully expect my kids to call me out for my own parenting missteps. Hopefully, by then, they’ll have figured out how to make cookie dough safe for everyone. For those considering parenthood, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, parenting styles have evolved dramatically. What was once considered acceptable is now seen as dangerous and reckless. As we navigate the complexities of modern parenting, it’s essential to learn from the past while ensuring the safety and well-being of our children.