Playing Outside Until Dark
Back in the day, kids roamed the neighborhood freely until the streetlights came on. Nowadays, parents are much more cautious about letting kids play outside unsupervised.
No Car Seats
Seatbelts were optional, and car seats? Forget it! Our grandparents drove around with kids bouncing in the backseat, something that would be completely unacceptable today.
Smoking Everywhere
Grandparents smoked in the house, in the car, and even at the dinner table. Now, smoking indoors is heavily frowned upon, especially around children.
Corporal Punishment
Spanking and other forms of physical discipline were common. Today, many people view these methods as harmful and prefer non-violent forms of discipline.
Lead Paint
Lead paint was used everywhere, even in children’s toys. Now, we know how dangerous lead is, and it’s banned in household paints and toys.
Unsupervised Play
Kids used to play with minimal adult supervision, often venturing far from home. Today, parents are much more involved in their children’s activities.
Riding in the Back of a Truck
It was once common for kids to ride in the back of a pickup truck. These days, safety regulations make this practice illegal in many places.
Eating Raw Cookie Dough
Grandparents let us lick the bowl and eat raw cookie dough without a second thought. Today, we’re more aware of the risks of raw eggs and flour.
DIY Fireworks
Fireworks were often homemade and set off in the backyard. Now, most people leave fireworks to the professionals for safety reasons.
Drinking While Pregnant
Many grandparents drank alcohol during pregnancy. Now, we understand the risks, and doctors strongly advise against it.
Minimal Childproofing
Homes were not childproofed like they are today. Cabinets, drawers, and electrical outlets were all accessible to curious little hands.
Letting Kids Walk to School Alone
Children often walked to school by themselves. Today, most parents escort their kids or arrange for supervised transportation.
Using Mercury Thermometers
Mercury thermometers were the norm. Now, we know how toxic mercury can be, and digital thermometers have taken over.
Sugar-Loaded Breakfasts
Breakfasts were often full of sugar, with sugary cereals being a staple. Today, there’s a greater emphasis on balanced, nutritious breakfasts for kids.
Ignoring Food Allergies
Food allergies weren’t as recognized or accommodated. Now, schools and parents are very cautious about allergens to prevent severe reactions.
Drinking Unpasteurized Milk
Raw milk was common, but now pasteurization is standard to kill harmful bacteria and ensure safety.
Leaving Kids in the Car
It wasn’t unusual to leave kids in the car while running errands. Today, this is seen as highly dangerous and is often illegal.
Homemade Remedies
Grandparents relied on homemade remedies for illnesses. While some are still used, modern medicine has largely replaced these old-school treatments.
Unfiltered Water
Tap water was consumed without a second thought. Nowadays, many people use filters to ensure their water is free from contaminants.
Driving Without Seatbelts
Seatbelt laws were not strictly enforced, and many people didn’t wear them. Today, seatbelt use is mandatory and heavily enforced.
Feeding Babies Honey
Honey was given to babies, but now we know it can cause botulism and is not recommended for infants under one year old.
Minimal Supervision at Pools
Kids swam with little to no adult supervision. Today, pool safety is taken very seriously, with lifeguards and vigilant parents watching closely.
