Parenting: 11 things that were normal in the past and unthinkable today

There will never be just one right education. Ultimately, all educational ideas and trends are always a reflection of society. This is how anti-authoritarian education arose at the end of the 1960s because the power and authority relationships in families were seen as a breeding ground for fascism.

Anti-authoritarian education was followed by anti-pedagogical education in the 1970s and then again by the next. And each of these educational methods had a right to exist in its time.

Before, yuck, today, yuck

However, from today's perspective, there are things that we simply wouldn't do anymore. Not because children's well-being is at risk (with one or two exceptions, but more on that in a moment), but because we currently believe that we are doing it better than the generations before us.

And we in the editorial team would almost put our hands in the fire because in 10 years a lot of things that we consider to be the ultimate today will be different. But let's wait and see. Let's first talk about the things our parents did that we wouldn't repeat today.

Test yourself:

#1 TV non-stop

Although we now have every opportunity to receive sound around the clock with cell phones, tablets, computers and laptops, as well as streaming services and digital television, we don't do exactly that. And we let our children sit in front of screens too much. Because we are convinced that too much screen time is unhealthy.

Funny, after all, we were the ones who turned on the flicker box before the school bag landed in the corner.

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#2 Without surveillance from the house

On weekends or during school holidays we only saw our parents when food was on the table. In the meantime, we went around houses with friends, went to swimming lakes or conquered playgrounds. Most of the time our parents didn't even know where we were.

Unthinkable today, in a time when elementary school children are already equipped with cell phones or smart watches that can be called. We parents today feel the need to know exactly who the child is traveling with and where.

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#3 Absurd rule when eating

As children, were you allowed to drink something during meals? This may sound strange, but I come from a time when that wasn't done. For the simple reason, according to my parents, that you drink your fill and don't eat. That's why there were never any glasses on our dining table when we sat down to eat.

And today? In an exaggerated way, there are glasses on every table in our house today so that the children (and you) drink enough. Always stay hydrated. It is unimaginable that today someone would not be allowed to reach for a glass of water because they are sitting while eating.

#4 Shopping for the grown-ups

Children used to be sent out to buy cigarettes for their parents. If there wasn't a cigarette machine, go to the booth with a piece of paper in your hand saying that your parents have given you permission to buy cigarettes on their behalf.

From today's perspective, this is not only unimaginable, but simply no longer possible. The law only allows people of legal age to purchase tobacco products. And that's a good thing.

#5 Smoke everywhere

Until 2007, you could smoke almost everywhere. On trains, planes, offices – nowhere was you safe from the blue haze. And that also applied to children. Then they just sat in the smoke-filled train compartment or car for 4 hours.

To protect children and adults alike, smoking is now prohibited in most indoor spaces. Even in public places, train stations or airports, smoking is only permitted in officially designated 'smoking islands'.

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#6 Sugar consumption

In the past, no one really paid attention to how much sugar we children ate or drank throughout the day. It was probably no secret to anyone that sugar wasn't exactly healthy, but it was still considered harmless.

The pocket money was invested in mixed bags and the contents were washed down with at least one can of Cola, Fanta or Sprite. The parents didn't notice anyway, they didn't even know where you were going.

The fact that too much sugar is actually harmful to the body has been discussed since the 1980s. Today excessive consumption is attributed to increasing the risk of obesity, metabolic diseases or even indirectly the risk of cancer.

Reading tips:

#7 Hardly any sun protection

We used to wear sunscreen on the beach or in the outdoor pool to protect our skin from sunburn. Whenever we went out 'just' to play in the summer, no one had to apply sunscreen or wear special UV clothing.

Things are different today because we know more about the dangers of UV radiation. Sunscreen is used every day, even in winter.

#8 The car thing

We already had seatbelts when we were children, thank God. But our parents didn't see it that closely, for example when they carried us on their laps. There were hardly any child seats or booster seats. The number of seats in a car also seemed flexible when we were children. If there weren't enough places after a birthday party to bring all the children home at the same time, they moved together. There were also 7 children traveling in a 5-seater.

Absolutely unthinkable today. One would easily speak of irresponsible behavior. Just imagine how parents would look if you drove up with a crowded car full of children.

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#9 Ready meal

During the week, with two working parents, so-called latchkey children came home alone after school and were able to fend for themselves thanks to ready-made products (or leftovers from the previous day). Or it simply had to be quick and canned ravioli, frozen pizza, etc. ensured full children's tummies without any complications.

Today, however, people pay more attention to nutrition. And even if the frozen pizza ends up on the family table, it is more often the exception than the rule.

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#10 Being naked in public

You used to see many small children splashing around in and around the water on the beach without bathing suits. Hardly anyone thought about the fact that someone else might take photos of it or that the child's nudity might be offensive.

Unthinkable today. There's always the fear that someone could take photos of the child like that, or worse, that the pictures could end up in criminal hands.

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#11 Getting used to daycare

In the past, there was only an adjustment period in kindergarten if desired. However, starting daycare was often problem-free because many children had already attended daycare before and were already used to being left without parents. So on the first day of daycare, the offspring were dropped off and the parents went their separate ways.

Today, the focus is on the adjustment phase in kindergarten and gives children between the ages of one and three years enough time to get used to the new situation. There is usually a one to three week adjustment period (Berlin model), but if a child needs more time to be able to stay alone in the kindergarten, this is also possible.

It wasn't all bad

If you read through all of this, you might be surprised that we have become something more. But it wasn't entirely bad either. It couldn't have been that. The time when not everything was photographed and posted, for example, feels a bit freer from today's perspective. That's why it's perhaps even a bit of a shame. But that's just a personal opinion.

Can you think of anything else your parents used to do that is unthinkable for you today? Please let us know on Instagram or Facebook. We're looking forward to it.

Something that hasn't changed: stars who spoil their children with extravagant gifts. In the gallery you will find The most expensive luxury presents for prominent offspring: