Lisa O
Parenting trends change with every generation, and what was considered “normal” for Boomers (born 1946–1964) might seem unthinkable to today’s parents. From free-range childhoods to questionable safety standards, Boomers raised their kids in a way that would make modern helicopter parents break into a cold sweat. Here are 15 ways Boomer parenting was different:
Kids Roamed Free—No GPS Required
Boomer kids left the house after breakfast and didn’t come back until the street lights turned on. No one had a smartphone to check in, and parents just assumed their kids were somewhere in the neighborhood. Today, parents track their kids’ every move with apps like Life360, and “playing outside” usually means a fenced-in backyard with supervision.
Seatbelts? What Seatbelts?
Car safety in the Boomer era was…optional. Kids rode in the front seat, stood up in the back, and sometimes even napped on the rear window ledge. Seatbelts weren’t widely enforced, and car seats? Basically nonexistent. Meanwhile, today’s kids are buckled into five-point harnesses until they’re in middle school.
Spanking Was Standard Discipline
Back then, “Wait until your father gets home” usually meant a spanking was coming. Corporal punishment was seen as a necessary part of discipline, both at home and even in schools. Today, many parents consider spanking outdated (and even harmful), opting for “gentle parenting” and time-outs instead. They will never allow others to touch their children as well.
Helicopter Parenting Didn’t Exist
Boomers had a hands-off approach—if you fell off your bike, you got up. If you forgot your homework, you dealt with it. Parents weren’t hovering over every decision or texting teachers about grades. Nowadays, some parents micromanage everything from friendships to college applications. You need to let go of your child and let them handle everything on their own.
Latchkey Kids Were Totally Normal
Many Boomer kids had their own house keys and came home to an empty house after school. They made their own snacks, did their homework (or didn’t), and entertained themselves until their parents came home from work. Today, leaving a 10-year-old alone at home for too long can lead to a call from Child Protective Services.
Screen Time Wasn’t a Battle
Boomer kids had TV, but it wasn’t an all-day affair. Saturday morning cartoons were sacred but after that? You went outside. There were no iPads, no YouTube, and no Fortnite to argue over. Today’s parents have to constantly negotiate screen time limits and deal with kids melting down when the WiFi goes out.
Birthday Parties Were Simple—And Cheap
Boomer birthday parties were a backyard, a cake from the grocery store, and maybe a game of pin the tail on the donkey. No elaborate themes, professional photographers, or $500 custom cakes. Today, many parents spend months planning Insta-worthy celebrations with party favors better than what Boomer kids got for Christmas.
Kids Ate Whatever Was Served
There were no separate “kid’s meals” or custom orders. If dinner was meatloaf and canned peas, that’s what you ate—or you went hungry. Boomers didn’t make dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets to keep kids happy. Today, parents negotiate every bite, hide vegetables in smoothies, and cater to picky eaters like they’re running a five-star restaurant.
Strangers Babysat All the Time
Boomer kids were left with teenage babysitters, the next-door neighbor, or whoever was available. Parents didn’t run background checks or ask for references. If a neighbor’s teenager charged $2 an hour, that was good enough. Nowadays, parents research nannies like they’re hiring for the FBI. They have a good reason: every 40 seconds, a kid goes missing in the United States.
Playing Outside Wasn’t a Safety Concern
Boomers sent their kids outside to play unsupervised for hours. Climbing trees, riding bikes without helmets, and exploring the woods were just normal activities. Today, parents worry about stranger danger, playground injuries, and sun exposure. The phrase “Just be home before dark” has been replaced with “Text me every 30 minutes.”
Kids Were Expected to Work Early
By 13 or 14, many Boomer kids had jobs—paper routes, babysitting, mowing lawns. By 16, most were working part-time at grocery stores or fast food places. Parents expected kids to earn their own spending money. Today, many teens focus on extracurriculars, and some don’t get their first job until college.
Food Allergies Weren’t a Big Deal
Back in the day, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were everywhere—schools, birthday parties, lunch boxes. If you had a food allergy, you were just told to avoid it. Today, peanut-free schools and allergen-friendly menus are common, and parents are hyper-aware of every ingredient their kids consume. Another common thing is veganism.
If You Got Hurt, You Rubbed Dirt on It
Boomers didn’t rush to the ER for every scrape and bruise. If you fell off your bike, you dusted yourself off and kept playing. Parents weren’t carrying around hand sanitizer and Band-Aids at all times. Today, minor injuries often lead to urgent care visits, ice packs, and a full medical report.
Kids Watched Whatever Was on TV
There were no parental controls, no kid-safe YouTube, and definitely no endless kids’ channels. If a Boomer kid was watching TV and The Twilight Zone or Jaws came on, oh well. Today, parents monitor every show, set screen time limits, and read Common Sense Media reviews before allowing anything new.
College Wasn’t the Only Path
Boomers didn’t grow up with the pressure that “you must go to college to succeed.” Many went straight into trades the military, or started working after high school. Today, there’s a huge emphasis on higher education, with parents stressing over SATs, application essays, and student loan debt. Due to this change, many students struggle to pay off their loans.