ADVERTISEMENT

"Back in my day, we used to walk 5 miles to school in sub-zero temperatures without batting an eyelid. Not like you spoiled little brats these days!" We all have an older relative who says things like this about raising kids. They are despairing the coddled youth with their smartphones, crappy music, and parents that seemingly can't say no to their every demand.

And you know what? They might actually have a point on the parenting styles of today. Although the world might seem like a more dangerous place now with higher safety standards required, kids of previous generations had to make their own entertainment. They had to learn to look after themselves from a younger age and take far more risks while doing so. Parents didn't have things like Mumsnet to help them with parenting tips, alternatively, guilt and stress them out for letting kids go out of the safe environments and learn from their own mistakes.

To celebrate the eccentric approaches of old-school parenting and child safety, we here at Bored Panda have put together a list of parents and their kids doing things that would horrify the mommy and daddy bloggers and Instagrammers of today. What's your opinion on the evolution of parenting over the years? Scroll down below to check out the vintage photos for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

#1

Me Back In 1991 Just Your Typical Aussie Kid Drinking Xxxxlight Beer(I Wasn't Aloud Heavies Back Then) And Holding A Baby Crocodile

Me Back In 1991 Just Your Typical Aussie Kid Drinking Xxxxlight Beer(I Wasn't Aloud Heavies Back Then) And Holding A Baby Crocodile

truthcrusade Report

#2

My Mother And Grandmother Demonstrating Safety Standards In The 1960s

My Mother And Grandmother Demonstrating Safety Standards In The 1960s

thisisanendtable Report

#3

If Your Mum Didn't Lay On The Ground Making Herself Into A Ramp For Your New BMX, Did She Even Love You? 1980's

If Your Mum Didn't Lay On The Ground Making Herself Into A Ramp For Your New BMX, Did She Even Love You? 1980's

therealabv Report

#4

California Marijuana Initiative Rally 1972. That’s Me In The Box And My Parents In The Picture

California Marijuana Initiative Rally 1972. That’s Me In The Box And My Parents In The Picture

19blackdog72 Report

#5

My Dad And His Veterinarian Mother, With Their Pet Lion Which They Raised For Two Years, 1959

My Dad And His Veterinarian Mother, With Their Pet Lion Which They Raised For Two Years, 1959

ryanb99 Report

#6

Princess Yvonne And Prince Alexander In Germany, 1955

Princess Yvonne And Prince Alexander In Germany, 1955

Photo Tractatus Report

#7

A Couple Ice Skating With Their Baby, 1937

A Couple Ice Skating With Their Baby, 1937

Gar1986 Report

#8

Infant Me, My Mother & Father At A Bar Because That's How Parents Rolled In The Early '80s

Infant Me, My Mother & Father At A Bar Because That's How Parents Rolled In The Early '80s

areyoufknserious Report

Add photo comments
POST
aaronw avatar
Aaron W
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hung in bars too when I was little. Then they wouldn't let me back in until I was 20 - I must have been a rough toddler.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

The Pinnacle Of Parenting: 1930s Swimming Lesson

The Pinnacle Of Parenting: 1930s Swimming Lesson

cheml0vin Report

Add photo comments
POST
cronepower avatar
Bobby's Girl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father threw me into Tampa Bay. I was about 3 years old. I learned to swim in a hurry, because there were scary things swimming around in that water! Google "Horseshoe Crab" and you'll understand.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Car Seat Safety In 1958. Not Strapped In To Anything, These Seats Relied On The Mother To Put Her Arm Out And Stop The Baby From Falling Forward

Car Seat Safety In 1958. Not Strapped In To Anything, These Seats Relied On The Mother To Put Her Arm Out And Stop The Baby From Falling Forward

claire303 Report

Add photo comments
POST
aaronw avatar
patriciaross avatar
tuzdayschild
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You guys are not accounting for how strong women's arms were in the 50's.

moconnell avatar
M O'Connell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you're also not accounting for how carefully people drove. Economy cars would max out at 55mph, and take their sweet time getting there, and everyone drove defensively because 4-wheel 8" drum brakes would take forever to stop you.

Load More Replies...
jodiellis avatar
KarmaQueen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember when I was a kid running back and forth in the back seat as my parents drove the car.

tlilly avatar
Gracie Mae
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i remember my oldest just lying on the front seat while I was driving (up until about 3 months), then in the carrier. Car seats were not mandatory until the mid-late 80s, I think. to this day, right arm shoots over to the passenger side when someone is sitting there & I have to brake a little hard!

cathyroberts avatar
Wanda Queen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yep I clearly remember standing in the front seat in the mid to late 70's with my arms wrapped around my mother's neck singing "you are soooooo bootiful....to meeee" while careening down the road

uwetheiss avatar
Uwe Theiss
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't look at the baby, look at the driver. No seatbelt and she is sitting in front of a spear. Retractable steering columns that colaps when crashing where invented much later. Getting impaled by your own car was pretty common.

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a reason for car crashes back then even at 30 km/h (20 mp/h) easily were fatal. Also to The adults.

stacy avatar
Fixin'Ta
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Child of the Sixties, here. We didn't even have a "car seat." My mom let us stand up on the seat, and threw her arm across us when she stopped at a light/stop sign, or if something made her stop suddenly. It's a wonder we're still alive.

mark-mckenzie_1 avatar
anarkzie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it would be safer to just duct tape the kid to the front of the car, that kids going to go flying face forward into the dashboard no matter how slow you're going before you stop.

monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still sometimes see a mother with baby or toddler on her lap in the passeneger seat, not even using a seat belt. "I didn`t think anything would happen"-think.

bauniculla avatar
Shauna Mañana
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, my mom said I was bouncing on her pregnant lap when my dad drove her to the hospital for delivery of my brother

Load More Replies...
christinavigil avatar
cablecargal
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll always remember the 'Mom Arm" while driving in the '70s in Ford Pinto (that did not explode on cross-country trips!). It's such a habit, she still starts to do it...then realizes it's 2019.

lindsaytsai avatar
Lyndsey
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, but I'm a teenager, and where I'm from, it wasn't illegal to not wear seatbelts as long as you were in the backseat in my childhood. (It's illegal now). When my dad was young, it wasn't illegal to not wear a seatbelt in the front seats as well.

bronmargaret avatar
nubmaeme avatar
Nubmaeme
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At the time that picture was taken, no one had ever heard of strapping your kids into a device worthy of a fighter pilot or even of strapping yourself into your car.

Load More Replies...
kim_lorton avatar
Kim Lorton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother threw her arm across me until I was16! And then if she forgot there were seatbelts! Nothing like your mom smashing your boobs for safety’s sake!

ljryel avatar
brenda_v_linden avatar
ForkNBeans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the baby? Geeze, give them a break - they just left the bar after all. Probably out of ciggies.

Load More Replies...
janiceseagraves_1 avatar
Janice Seagraves
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was born when there were no baby seats, so this is better than what I had.

amsolheim avatar
Amanda Solheim
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So THAT'S where my grandma got that habit. My mom, too, but I think she got it from grandma. And now I have that habit, though usually it's just my purse I'm saving lol!😂

ngaerewoodford avatar
NWB
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when i break suddenly I save my handbag with my arm.....same thing right?

tootsfolks avatar
Joyce Berman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what we did. Nothing like the car seats available now were made back then. Most of us survived and in 50 years, what we do now will look primitive, too.

doglover_2907 avatar
Dog Lover
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the way home from the hospital when I was born, my 8 year old sister nursed me in the car, no seat belts!

jacquelynplace avatar
Mya Lugar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks more like a catapult than a safety device! If she has to stop fast his seat tips foward into the dash or dumps him out

brenda_v_linden avatar
ForkNBeans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But its ok, he won't go far if he's catapulted - the windshield should stop him from getting too far away.

Load More Replies...
nora-jordan avatar
NoJo
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jackie O if she'd been born into a middle class family.

blab1962 avatar
Marianna Estrada
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hell you had a special seat!,I was born 52, I remember photos with a bonnet on,next to my moms purse,oh I was old then maybe 1 1/2 then. Still here!! My moms hands were fast. PS if I stop fast today and your in the front seat I still do the hand save, honestly any one else?? Don't lie!!!

dtdhale avatar
Deanna Hale
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When the speeds were lower, the cars were heavier, and the ratio of cars to people was 1:50!!!

maggiebs61 avatar
Maggie Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My arm was the seat belt and 50 years later the reflex is still there.

maggiebs61 avatar
Maggie Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had one of those baby carriers for my son in 1968. He survived. It doesn't show it but, it had a metal heavy-gauge wire for hanging on the back of the front seat.

annette_daguanno avatar
Annette Daguanno
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can remember sitting on my mother’s lap or in between my fathers lap and the steering wheel helping to drive I was about 5 that would have been 1966

jillybug64 avatar
Jill Shaw
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom put me in one of those in the 60s and my sister in 71!. Crazy.

jillybug64 avatar
Jill Shaw
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom put me in the same kind in the 60s and my sister in 71. Crazy.

erosa1224 avatar
Orionpax75
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lot safer driving back then, and lower speeds...still crazy though yikes

stanflouride avatar
Stannous Flouride
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lest anyone think that those old cars were "as safe as a battleship" check out this head-on collision test between a 1959 Chevy and a 2009 Chevy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPF4fBGNK0U

flintsanvil avatar
Greg Mott
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The baby IS strapped into the chair; but, the chair isn’t attached to the car. I suppose that helps keep all of the “pieces” together after the baby is thrown thru the windshield!😳

bauniculla avatar
Shauna Mañana
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in a car bed (like a bassinet) when I was an infant. Pretty much on my own after that 😝

sulee_43221 avatar
Susan Riley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is only slightly worse than what was available in 1970, when I had an infant in a car.

brenda_v_linden avatar
ForkNBeans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And when you filed your claim, new insurance rates were based on the kind of dent left by the baby.

mdclgyselinck avatar
Michèle Gyselinck
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's how I grew up too. And none of us three.kids were injured in car accidents.

kevinperry_1 avatar
okpkpkp
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The seatbelts are lying on the backseat floor. I was probably the only kid who wore his seatbelt back then.

renee6316 avatar
Renee Verone
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can relate I used one in 1974 for my oldest son and in 1979 for my twins At least when the twins were born my oldest was there and he could watch one We different take long trips with these lol

laurag_1 avatar
Laura G
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It should’ve been placed flat on the floor. Ridiculous.

tinyd avatar
Tiny Dancer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So that's where my Mum got in the habit of clotheslining me with her arm when the car had to stop suddenly! She's 81 now, I'm 54, and she still does it, lol.

ash2lar avatar
Christine M Quigley
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

45 yrs. ago, my son's car seat was a joke. The seat slanted at a 45 degree angle, but didn't lock into place. You did have to anchor the top of the seat by a strap and a hook in the back, there was a padded bar in the front of the baby. But with a hard stop, the baby was jerked to a 90 degree angle briefly, then released back to a 45 degree angle. I guess it was better then nothing. My ex had his leg broken by his dad accidentally, when he was a infant- he fell off his mothers' lap, and his leg was under the brake when his dad tried to make a hard stop. My ex FIL felt terrible about it for years. Thank God it was nothing worse. But there just wasn't the car seats, or standards, like there is today.

linda_robinett avatar
Linda Robinett
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't remember what they did with babies in 58. But us kids had no seatbelts and I remember standing in the footwell of the backseat while riding in a car. My dad put belts in soon as he was a pilot and recognized the safety factor. So we had seatbelts before they were required.

michelle_52 avatar
Michelle
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL yeh, the BS with seatbelts AND helmets for bikes. TOO MUCH!!!

alfredhcooke avatar
Susan Cooke
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We didn't have one of those and my little sister was born in 1957.

freyathewanderer_1 avatar
Freya the Wanderer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a good reason this wouldn't fly today - in a wreck, or even if Mom just had to hit the brakes hard, the baby would fly right into the dashboard.

nubmaeme avatar
Nubmaeme
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm surprised the baby isn't just lying on the seat as was the practice back then. Here an example of a car seat from the late 50's - https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.F_HR6I9FGVfV2A3W2xfbhwHaGE&w=248&h=203&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7 They simply put the child more in line with the windshield, rather than the dash.

Load More Replies...
ayeboah11-ayb avatar
Anoinette Yeboah
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A human hockey puck. Baby even looks terrified. Mom! What are you thinking?! Love those shoes.

ducklin58 avatar
Rosemary Moreland
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This must be in America. In Australia, baby was in a bassinet in the back seat. We were more responsible,lol

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#11

My Hilarious Father (With The Magazine) And My Grandfather, Grandmother, And Uncle At His Bar Mitzvah In 1972

My Hilarious Father (With The Magazine) And My Grandfather, Grandmother, And Uncle At His Bar Mitzvah In 1972

JasonPlatz Report

#12

My Mother-In-Law Riding A Bear At 2 Years Old

My Mother-In-Law Riding A Bear At 2 Years Old

Homebrew-Joe Report

#13

Harley With A Baby Seat, 1962

Harley With A Baby Seat, 1962

Bob Sandberg Report

Add photo comments
POST
monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Safety first! Remember to properly attach the baby seat with the convenient succion cups to the gas tank before putting your baby in it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

A Photo Of Me Dressed Up As My Dad, With My Dad (1982)

A Photo Of Me Dressed Up As My Dad, With My Dad (1982)

fuuuuuckendoobs Report

#15

My Dad Showing Off His Parenting Skills 1985

My Dad Showing Off His Parenting Skills 1985

imakethenews Report

Add photo comments
POST
thesubmodernist avatar
karen snyder
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And his Awesome fashion choices. Cut off tummy top, micro running shorts and Sears Roebuck velcro kicks was my go to in '85 too! but he tops it off with that cherry Tom Selleck stash. Your dad is a legend.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

My Mom In The Hospital After Giving Birth To My Sister. Canada 1978. Smokes And Roasted Chicken

My Mom In The Hospital After Giving Birth To My Sister. Canada 1978. Smokes And Roasted Chicken

rookdanger Report

#17

Back In The Day. 1950s To Be Exact. Checkout That Car Seat

Back In The Day. 1950s To Be Exact. Checkout That Car Seat

iworkondishwashers Report

#18

My Mom Showing Off Her Parenting Skills 1978

My Mom Showing Off Her Parenting Skills 1978

thedumone Report

#19

Me, 1958, Relaxing After My Bath With Toby, I Was Never Again This Cool

Me, 1958, Relaxing After My Bath With Toby, I Was Never Again This Cool

ickeyray54 Report

#20

13 Y/O Dad Having A Taste While The Grownups Are Busy Playing Cards; Upstate New York, August 1954

13 Y/O Dad Having A Taste While The Grownups Are Busy Playing Cards; Upstate New York, August 1954

stevierayfrog Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#21

My Father And His Pet Lion Priscilla, California 1970's

My Father And His Pet Lion Priscilla, California 1970's

spencehord Report

#22

My Adorable (4 Year Old) Mother At A Zoo In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 1970

My Adorable (4 Year Old) Mother At A Zoo In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 1970

youngbarrister Report

#23

Just A Photo Of Yours Truly (At 11 Years) Petting A Full Grown Tiger. My Mom Calls It Her "Bad Parenting Moment"

Just A Photo Of Yours Truly (At 11 Years) Petting A Full Grown Tiger. My Mom Calls It Her "Bad Parenting Moment"

reesmeister Report

Add photo comments
POST
monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From the infamous Thai temple tiger farm. https://www.traffic.org/news/thai-seizure-of-a-dozen-captive-tigers-resurrects-farming-threat/

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu