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

RELATED:
    #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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #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

    Aramis
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    your mum is cooler then i will ever be also cute lion

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Princess Yvonne And Prince Alexander In Germany, 1955

    Princess Yvonne And Prince Alexander In Germany, 1955

    Photo Tractatus Report

    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I was in Germany in 1955 I'd need a drink and a cigarette too.

    View more comments
    #7

    A Couple Ice Skating With Their Baby, 1937

    A Couple Ice Skating With Their Baby, 1937

    Gar1986 Report

    Slinkman
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So many possibilities how this can go horrificly wrong..

    Christina Eneroth (Eneroth3)
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Both parents happen to fall, at the same time, away from each other. Baby is catapulted into space!

    Load More Replies...
    Ed Souza
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A baby slingshot! how cool is that?

    Ashley Say Whaat?!?
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish it was still the norm to still dress this classy for everyday outings such as this. Well, sometimes I wish that and then others I'm glad for the more modern t/::;shirt and jeans

    M.A.D.
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The baby already looks like it doesn't care.

    glowworm2
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's cute until they start attempting to do triple toe loops and other fancy tricks.

    Valerie Wagner
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey honey, we can catapult baby into the air and see who gets to him first.! What could go wrong?

    Jeanne Wessinger
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like their innovation though. Still very dangerous

    Him and Her Wedding Photography
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At some point earlier in the day, both Mum and dad had decided that THIS was the most practical way to take baby ice skating...

    Cookie
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Granny panties are useful.

    Siri Jørgensen
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is the baby sitting in a pair of undies??

    Sandy J Renfroe
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They turn and skate in opposite directions --- TWANGGGGGGG

    Peter Gonsalves
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After the triple axel they decided it wasn't a good idea.

    Christa-Mari Bentham
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that a panty that the baby is sitting in?!

    ForkNBeans
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mind hilariously and immediately went to a picture of the kid grabbing those straps and whipping his folks around like they were on bungee cords. Well, it was funny to me.

    Ashley Wright
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These two must have been very confident skaters.

    Viki Banaszak
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Life doesn't stop when you have kids!

    Bonny Saxon
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only thing that would make this worse as if the baby had metal skates on as well.

    Jonny Chevalier
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    how creative. that's a pair of cut offs ..right??

    Rikke Hackner
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope they weren't skating on thin ice

    Donald Holder*Doc
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WTH? Didn't people know of family helping out or the art of babysitting?

    Kami B
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least he's helping with the baby

    NWB
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    holy hell!!! hahaha

    Oscar Guerrero
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The baby has accepted its inevitable fate

    Leodavinci
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I highly doubt this was a widely used device. This may well be a photo of the only time it was used.

    mark.up
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mom kinda look like a Cullen

    pseudosapien
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah yes, the good ol' babypult. Only to be topped by the "here's an efficient way to bash your head against the doorjamb" bouncer.

    View more comments
    #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

    Aaron W
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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 comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    The Pinnacle Of Parenting: 1930s Swimming Lesson

    The Pinnacle Of Parenting: 1930s Swimming Lesson

    cheml0vin Report

    Bobby's Girl
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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 comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #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

    #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

    Hans
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Grandpa is not impressed, he has seen it all.

    View more comments
    #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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Harley With A Baby Seat, 1962

    Harley With A Baby Seat, 1962

    Bob Sandberg Report

    Monika Soffronow
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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 comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #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

    Hans
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bubblegum cigarettes still were a thing in the 80s. :)

    View more comments
    #15

    My Dad Showing Off His Parenting Skills 1985

    My Dad Showing Off His Parenting Skills 1985

    imakethenews Report

    karen snyder
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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 comments
    #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

    Shelp
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Excuse my ignorance, but ... What is wrong with chicken?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #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

    Adele Maestranzi
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had one when we were kids. There was the button in the middle for the horn.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #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

    CrunChewy McSandybutt
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Meh, we did this all the time when I was a kid and I turned out just fi– wait...

    View more comments
    #21

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

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

    spencehord Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #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

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #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

    Monika Soffronow
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created 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 comments