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

    #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
    Aaron W
    Community Member
    5 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
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    The Pinnacle Of Parenting: 1930s Swimming Lesson

    The Pinnacle Of Parenting: 1930s Swimming Lesson

    cheml0vin Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bobby's Girl
    Community Member
    5 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

    #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
    Community Member
    5 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
    karen snyder
    Community Member
    5 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

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Shelp
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

    Luis Milian
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    chicken with milk and a smoke after giving birth. this is the true title...lol

    Patricia Rix
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had 3 babies in Canada in the '70s: great food, back rubs at bedtime, a beer with supper every day for nursing moms.

    Non-New-Toni-An
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol, when my Mom was born my Nan was given a cigarette and my Mom a teaspoon of whiskey. This was in '63.

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

    People were smoking AND drinking while pregnant at least through the 60s and nothing was thought of it. then science and studies happened. it's a miracle some of us are alive...

    Fred Burrows
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember dragging my I.V. pole to the waiting area to have a smoke .

    Maggie Collins
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had my boy in 1966 in Salt Lake City, UT., at the LDS Hospital. I smoked the minute I was in my own room. There was an ashtray on the side table! And I was in the hospital for 4 1/2 days for a regular birth! Ah those were the days! But a Mormon hospital!? Crazy! At the time I didn't think anything of it. But today it is shocking to me.

    Gregg V
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Smokes after sex and birth - why the hell not? Baby elsewhere!

    Steve Cruz
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had an emergency appendectomy in third grade and remember waking up and my mom was asleep, and there was a gigantic ashtray filled with butts. The doctor and some of the nurses smoked, too. Hello 70s.

    Krysta Pandoo
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    God she looks great after having a baby. Maybe there's something to having roast chicken after giving birth.

    Carlota Ocón
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mother had a burger right after giving birth, I think today we go a little crazy with all those rules

    debrina blackmoon
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my hubs brought me Burger King each time cuz that hospital did not serve meat

    Load More Replies...
    Ruth Baldwin
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where was my roast chicken?! Surely I'd earned that after a 25 hour labour - all I got in 1986 was a cup of tea and two slices of dry toast!

    JV
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well she sure looks good for someone who gave birth like, what, two days before? I looked like a trainwreck.

    Slinkman
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, she isn't eating chicken and smoking while being pregnant. I think she is happy she can finally do these things again. Well deserved though, pooping out a baby is not an easy thing to do (so i've heard :p).

    Vicki Hall
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I haven’t looked that good since my twins were born two years ago. Sooo I am now massively depressed and think I’ll go have a smoke.

    Sophia Christina
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is your Mom a member of the Royal Family? 'Cause she looks ready for the "just gave birth and I look amazing" photoshoot.

    Maria Thomsen
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it in someway possibly to find the woman on this picture...she looks exactly like my mom and I!!😳😅

    Maggie Collins
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I gave birth in 1966 in S.L.C, UT., at the LDS Hospital, owned by the Mormon Church. The first thing I did back in my room was light up a smoke. There was an ashtray on the side table. It seems shocking to me today, but at the time I thought nothing of it. We smoked everywhere in those days. Yeah, I don't get the chicken thing either, maybe it's because there is so much of it.

    Maggie Lambert
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember being able to smoke in the hospital - and while in maternity ward! Never saw a whole roasted chicken though! Still, the meals were better prepared and tasted better than the c**p they feed us today!

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

    Great food in the hospital. Yep, smoking was OK everywhere when I was a kid

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

    I could go for the roasted chicken, but you try lighting a cigarette anywhere within a hospital and you're toast.

    Matthew Hignite
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    at least it wasn't fish fish can kill unborn children and really young children

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    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

    #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

    #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
    Community Member
    5 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
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda