I have three older siblings, so by the time my parents were raising me, they were much less strict with me than they had been with them.
That’s a win for me!
Why?
Because I was allowed to get away with much more than they did and my parents weren’t as hung up on everything like they had been previously.
Parenting changes throughout the years and what one generation did is looked down upon by the next group of folks as dangerous and reckless.
We have a feeling that these old-school parenting photos would get these moms and dads in a whole lot of trouble if they were to happen today.
Let’s take a look…
1. That looks safe.
A girl and her bear.
My mother-in-law riding a bear at 2 years old
byu/Homebrew-Joe inpics
2. Oh, boy…
Not good at all.
Back in the day. 1950s to be exact. Checkout that car seat.
byu/iworkondishwashers inpics
3. Have some fireworks.
Oh, the kid will be fine!
My dad showing off his parenting skills 1985
byu/imakethenews inOldSchoolCool
4. This is amazing!
And it was the NINETIES! We’re not talking about 1975 here…
Me back in 1991 just your typical Aussie kid drinking XXXXlight beer(I wasn’t aloud heavies back then) and holding a baby crocodile!
byu/truthcrusade inOldSchoolCool
5. What’s that smell?
Definitely in the 1970s.
California marijuana initiative rally 1972. That’s me in the box and my parents in the picture.
byu/19blackdog72 inOldSchoolCool
6. Kicking back with a cigar.
And looking very cool.
Me again, 1958, relaxing after my bath with Toby, I was never again this cool
byu/ickeyray54 inOldSchoolCool
7. That looks very dangerous.
It’s a loooooong way down.
My mother and grandmother demonstrating safety standards in the 1960s.
byu/thisisanendtable inOldSchoolCool
8. Just a little sip.
Of the hard stuff!
13 y/o Dad having a taste while the grownups are busy playing cards; upstate New York, August 1954
byu/stevierayfrog inOldSchoolCool
9. The Tiger King.
Your mom is right about this one.
Just A Photo of Yours Truly (at 11 yrs.) Petting a Full Grown Tiger. My Mom Calls it Her “Bad Parenting Moment”
byu/reesmeister inpics
10. Get that kid a helmet!
This won’t end well.
A couple ice skating with their baby, 1937
byu/Gar1986 inOldSchoolCool
11. Father and son.
Smoke ’em if you got ’em!
A photo of me dressed up as my Dad, with my Dad (1982)
byu/fuuuuuckendoobs inOldSchoolCool
12. Have a drink on me, kid.
Bellied up to the bar.
13. This is great.
Safety first!
The pinnacle of parenting: 1930s swimming lesson.
byu/cheml0vin inWTF
14. This is crazy!
What were they thinking?!?!
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.
byu/claire303 inOldSchoolCool
Okay, now we want to hear from you!
In the comments, tell us about the way you were raised.
Or tell us about how you’re raising your own kids these days.
We can’t wait to hear from you.
Thanks in advance!