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Not many of us stop to think about what our parents’ lives were like before we came along. We only know them as the responsible adults who went to work every day and forced us to do our homework and eat vegetables. But before us, they led completely different lives and looked way different, which only photos can now prove. 

A TikTok trend that has been floating around for some time encouraged kids to share this proof with others, and boy, did they deliver. Below you’ll find many photos of parents from their cool past, where they look like they might as well have been models.

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#1

Smiling woman with headscarf sharing a story and a young woman wearing a colorful hat by the water, showcasing cooler and hotter parents.

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Final score:
59points
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    #2

    Side-by-side images showing a dad looking down and a young man gazing thoughtfully, highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler.

    yzelle.lim Report

    Final score:
    48points
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    #3

    Two photos showing a teenage girl with her mother and a glamorous vintage portrait highlighting kids realizing their cooler parents.

    sophiat24 Report

    Final score:
    47points
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    rustyscate avatar
    rustyscate
    rustyscate
    Community Member
    Premium     1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Still stunning

    12
    12points
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    #4

    Side-by-side images of a woman reflecting on her past confidence and beauty, highlighting kids realizing parents are cooler and hotter.

    spa.kle Report

    Final score:
    47points
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    pr_20 avatar
    P R
    P R
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can see why...Very Cute Hot Stuff!

    5
    5points
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    #5

    Side-by-side photos of a dad and his younger, muscular self showing cooler and hotter parents.

    laynlifts Report

    Final score:
    45points
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    rustyscate avatar
    rustyscate
    rustyscate
    Community Member
    Premium     1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my goodness

    12
    12points
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    #6

    Side-by-side photos showing a mom looking cool and a younger stylish woman, highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler.

    dontevaplayy Report

    Final score:
    45points
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    #7

    Two photos of a stylish woman showcasing cool and attractive vibes, highlighting parents being cooler and hotter than kids.

    ninasimoneyt Report

    Final score:
    44points
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    eva-katherinesmith avatar
    Kitty Smith
    Kitty Smith
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think she grew even hotter.

    31
    31points
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    #8

    Side-by-side images showing a cooler and hotter dad in two different eras, highlighting parent coolness and style.

    rfln6 Report

    Final score:
    44points
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    #9

    Woman in glasses working on a craft and a confident young woman posing, showing cooler and hotter parents.

    estellayruma Report

    Final score:
    43points
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    farahkamal_1 avatar
    Farah (she/her)
    Farah (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    HOLY GORGEOUS SHE NEEDS TO DEBUT IN A KPOP GROUP

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    #10

    Side-by-side photos of a woman smiling at a party and her younger self, showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    shannoncaturano Report

    Final score:
    41points
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    #11

    Smiling woman celebrating birthday with cake next to vintage portrait highlighting cooler, hotter parents realization.

    lila.lebel Report

    Final score:
    40points
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    mikefitzpatrick avatar
    Mike F
    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She favors Astrud Gilberto (The Girl From Ipanema).

    4
    4points
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    #12

    Side-by-side photos of a father and son showcasing the cooler and hotter side of parents in kids' eyes.

    manuuroman8 Report

    Final score:
    39points
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    rustyscate avatar
    rustyscate
    rustyscate
    Community Member
    Premium     1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He’s barely aged

    22
    22points
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    #13

    Man in gray Nike tracksuit standing indoors next to vintage photo of his cooler and hotter parent from the 80s or 90s.

    rebeccaraccagnii Report

    Final score:
    38points
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    #14

    Side-by-side images showing a mom making a funny face and a younger photo highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    kaylakosuga Report

    Final score:
    37points
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    #15

    Side-by-side images of a man now and in his youth showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them

    sofiakauderer Report

    Final score:
    37points
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    sudeepsarkar72 avatar
    Sudeep Sarkar
    Sudeep Sarkar
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    3
    3points
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    #16

    Older and younger photos of a woman showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than they'll ever be.

    lplanet Report

    Final score:
    35points
    POST
    kellyh_wilder avatar
    Kelly H. Wilder
    Kelly H. Wilder
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's something extra special to me about simple (homely?) beauty. Of all the pics on this list so far, this is the one person I would most want to hang out with and get to know.

    6
    6points
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    #17

    Side-by-side portraits of a mother and daughter highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them.

    audr3iaa Report

    Final score:
    33points
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    #18

    Side-by-side images of a woman now and in her younger days showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    iormaiwonderwal Report

    Final score:
    32points
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    skipscales avatar
    Jay Scales
    Jay Scales
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    IDK why, but the 'before' pic reminds me of the photos that used to advertise knitting patterns....

    6
    6points
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    #19

    Side-by-side images showing a stylish mom at the mall and a vintage photo of her younger, cooler self with friends.

    aidabeatrice28 Report

    Final score:
    31points
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    rtommo avatar
    r tommo
    r tommo
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She looks great then and now

    8
    8points
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    #20

    Smiling woman today and glamorous younger photo showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    myaelder112 Report

    Final score:
    31points
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    carolinedavidson avatar
    Caroline Davidson
    Caroline Davidson
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it me but the lady on the left is clearly white while the lady on the right is beautiful young black woman?

    4
    4points
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    #21

    Older man sharing stories alongside a black-and-white photo showing cooler and hotter parents from their youth.

    soysamariaa Report

    Final score:
    30points
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    philiphosea avatar
    Phil
    Phil
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you look up 'lantern jaw' in the Oxford English Dictionary, it is just the picture on the right.

    3
    3points
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    #22

    Side-by-side photos of a woman showing her current look and a vintage portrait, highlighting parents looking cooler and hotter.

    heylouie24 Report

    Final score:
    28points
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    catrionn avatar
    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She looks like Appollonia Kotero in the young picture.

    4
    4points
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    #23

    Side-by-side photos showing a woman smiling today and a vintage portrait of her looking cool and confident, highlighting cooler parents.

    seint_ts Report

    Final score:
    28points
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    philiphosea avatar
    Phil
    Phil
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it me, or do popped collars look better on women than men?

    5
    5points
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    #24

    Man in a baseball cap recalling rejecting girls when young, alongside a young man smiling, showing cooler and hotter parents realization.

    fionaaandres Report

    Final score:
    27points
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    #25

    Side-by-side images showing a woman holding a box and a younger woman with dogs, highlighting cooler and hotter parents.

    yamilaagrc Report

    Final score:
    27points
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    feliciacahoon avatar
    Bi.Felicia
    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium     1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Natural beauty

    3
    3points
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    #26

    Man reflecting on his dad's cooler and hotter past as a heartbreaker, with vintage photo and birthday cake.

    dumplingn00dle Report

    Final score:
    27points
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    kellyh_wilder avatar
    Kelly H. Wilder
    Kelly H. Wilder
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've watched too many true crime movies. I thought the stripe on his chest was a chair strap (electric or polygraph both crossed my mind before I realized what it actually was).

    4
    4points
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    #27

    Dad sharing stories while son listens to music in retro outfit, highlighting kids realizing their parents were cooler and hotter.

    melliescl Report

    Final score:
    25points
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    mikefitzpatrick avatar
    Mike F
    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not in that outfit he didn't. 😅😅

    42
    42points
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    #28

    Side-by-side photos showing a woman in glasses today and a younger, cooler version of her in the past, highlighting parents being cooler.

    beanbag040 Report

    Final score:
    23points
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    #29

    Young adults realizing their parents are cooler and hotter, featuring a mom who rejected many guys when younger.

    oxfordyee Report

    Final score:
    23points
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    #30

    Father and son at a restaurant with text about kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them.

    kewin.engvall Report

    Final score:
    22points
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    marshalldavies avatar
    Agfox
    Agfox
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not sure I agree with this one

    14
    14points
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    #31

    Mom cooking in kitchen smiling next to a vintage photo showing kids realizing their parents were cooler and hotter.

    brialyssaaa Report

    Final score:
    20points
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    tarja-eade avatar
    Tarja Eade
    Tarja Eade
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She's even more beautiful now

    15
    15points
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    #32

    Older woman in casual colorful shirt speaking, and a younger woman in vintage outfit sitting outdoors showing cooler and hotter parents.

    underbambo0 Report

    Final score:
    19points
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    #33

    Side-by-side photos of a man now and in the 90s showing a cool and hotter look, highlighting kids realizing parents' style.

    johnnyleglocks Report

    Final score:
    18points
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    carynccrespo avatar
    sfgothgirl
    sfgothgirl
    Community Member
    Premium     1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dunno, this is feeling more 80s

    2
    2points
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    #34

    Side-by-side photos showing a dad with a playful expression and a younger version of him looking cool and confident, highlighting parents cooler and hotter than kids.

    maliatohitau Report

    Final score:
    18points
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    marsom1103 avatar
    SCP 4666
    SCP 4666
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tell me you're from the 80/90s by simply showing me a picture 😊

    17
    17points
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    #35

    Smiling woman today and younger photo wearing dress, showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    ivanaalawi Report

    Final score:
    18points
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    #36

    Woman celebrating with cake and text about kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them.

    danzelrafter Report

    Final score:
    15points
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    saderman avatar
    Shelli Aderman
    Shelli Aderman
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And break them she did, with that kíller side-eye! 😂💕

    6
    6points
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    #37

    Woman showing confidence and style in a black dress, highlighting cooler and hotter parents kids admire.

    whosandrescortez Report

    Final score:
    14points
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    #38

    A man sharing a story alongside a vintage photo of a young man, showing kids realizing parents are cooler and hotter.

    flaviayactayodiaz Report

    Final score:
    14points
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    #39

    Middle-aged man sharing a story on a couch next to a vintage photo of a younger, shirtless cool and attractive dad.

    mmmjoemele Report

    Final score:
    11points
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    frankieeneks avatar
    Frunkadunk
    Frunkadunk
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't this that TikTok dad?

    7
    7points
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    #40

    Side-by-side photos of a confident parent and a younger person, highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler.

    dudex.x Report

    Final score:
    11points
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    #41

    Woman in a blue dress smiling confidently, illustrating kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them.

    arielsky5 Report

    Final score:
    11points
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    farahkamal_1 avatar
    Farah (she/her)
    Farah (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw the fatshaming coming from mileeees away (She's still pretty)

    5
    5points
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    #42

    Side-by-side images of a woman looking surprised and a younger woman in a yellow jacket signing a document, showing cool parents.

    adriannnoi Report

    Final score:
    8points
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    #43

    Side-by-side photos showing a dad sharing cool stories and a vintage image capturing his younger, stylish self.

    sarahjacksonjensen Report

    Final score:
    6points
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    #44

    Side-by-side images of a dad in the present and younger years, showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    t.j.kramer Report

    Final score:
    4points
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    rustyscate avatar
    rustyscate
    rustyscate
    Community Member
    Premium     1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good one hahaha

    12
    12points
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