Being a kid today is very different, and it makes this grandma a little sad.
The world has changed a lot. It’s harder for kids to just be kids. Many of the things we did when we were their age aren’t safe or allowed anymore. (Although, to be honest, some of those things probably weren’t the best ideas—like riding in the front seat without a seatbelt or sliding down a hot metal slide in the summer!)
I thought it would be fun to look back at the things we used to do as kids—things we would never let our grandkids do today.
Let’s take a little trip down memory lane together!
1. Riding in the front seat without a seatbelt
Since I already brought it up, let’s start here. When we were kids, we rode in the front seat from the time we were babies—without seatbelts or car seats!
Now, I get nervous just thinking about my grandkids moving from their 5-point harness to a booster seat.
2. Covering ourselves in baby oil
Sunscreen? What was that? We thought baby oil would help us get a better tan. Now, I make sure my grandkids are coated in sunscreen from head to toe!
3. Drinking water from a garden hose
Don’t judge me too much, but I’m pretty relaxed about this one. I know what the experts say, and some of my friends are very strict with their grandkids about it. That’s why I’m bringing it up. But honestly, I think a little sip of hose water never hurt anyone. I drank it all the time!
4. Playing with toys covered in lead paint
They don’t make toys like they used to—and maybe that’s a good thing! Back then, many toys were made with harmful materials, especially before 1978. We didn’t know any better. Now, toy companies have to follow safety rules, which makes today’s toys much safer.
5. Playing outside without an adult watching
I feel bad that my grandkids can’t do this, but it’s just not safe anymore. Their parents and I always make sure someone is watching when they’re out front.
Back in our day, we could play outside all day and only come home when the streetlights turned on. But the world feels different now, and we have to be extra careful to keep them safe.
6. Eavesdropping on a party line
Here’s a funny idea—ask your grandchild if they know what a party line is. Just wait for their answer! When I was little, my grandma worked the telephone lines. I used to visit her and listen in on other people’s phone calls. And when I got home, I’d do the same thing! I always tell my grandkids to mind their own business… so let’s keep this story between us.
7. Walking to school at a young age
I walked to school all by myself starting in kindergarten—and kept walking all the way through eighth grade. (And yes, it felt like it was uphill both ways!) But today? I can’t imagine letting a 5-year-old walk alone. The world is just too different now.
8. Burning our legs on hot metal slides
Those tall metal slides were so much fun—until summer hit. The ladder was wobbly, and the metal got so hot it could burn your legs if you wore shorts. We got splinters, cuts, and sometimes burns just from playing on them!
9. Jumping off the swings
We didn’t just swing back and forth—we turned it into a flying contest! We’d pump our legs as high as we could and then leap off mid-air to see who could land the farthest. Sometimes we stuck the landing… and sometimes we didn’t. Now, I catch myself saying, “Stay seated!” every time my grandkids are on a swing.
10. Riding bikes without helmets
Do you ever look back at your childhood and wonder how we made it? Same here. We rode our bikes everywhere—without helmets, knee pads, or even shoes sometimes!
11. Watching TV without worrying about what’s on
When I was a girl, we had just a few channels—ABC, CBS, and NBC. We watched westerns, variety shows, and football on Sundays. That was it.
Now, kids have more channels than we can count, and streaming apps with all kinds of stuff. Before my grandkids can watch anything, their parents check it first—or I do if they’re with me.
12. Swimming or fishing without an adult nearby
When I was a girl, we spent summer days swimming or fishing at the pond just outside town—the same one the cows used to cool off in! The water was muddy and full of who-knows-what, but it felt amazing on hot days. The wild part? I couldn’t even swim! Honestly… where were the grown-ups?
13. Sitting in the back of a pickup truck
Riding in the back of a pickup truck was the best! We’d pile in with our cousins and feel the wind in our hair as the truck rolled down the road. No seatbelts. No rules. Just fun. Now, I can’t imagine letting my grandkids ride back there—not even around the block!
14. Lighting fireworks without adults
On the Fourth of July, we used to light our own fireworks—sometimes without any grown-ups around. We’d run around with sparklers, firecrackers, and even the bigger stuff. It was loud, it was fun… and it was definitely dangerous! These days, I leave all the fireworks to the professionals.
15. Riding in the way back of the station wagon
If you had a station wagon, you know exactly what I mean. We rode in the “way back” with no seatbelts—just blankets, snacks, and games. We’d face the cars behind us and wave at strangers the whole ride. These days, kids don’t even know that space exists… and that’s probably for the best!
Conclusion
What a fun trip down memory lane! I hope these stories brought back good memories for you—just like they did for me. And I hope they made you a little more thankful for the safety rules and technology we have today.
Can you think of anything I forgot to mention? I’d love to hear it! Thanks for spending time with me, and let’s chat again soon.
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