Back in the ’90s, every household had its own way of living. This was a time when connecting to the internet was genuinely loud and phone bills could start family arguments, so kids had to stick to certain rules or risk punishment. Here are nineteen household rules that ‘90s kids had to follow. Which of these do you remember?
Stay Off the Phone During Dial-Up
Whenever someone said that they were online, that meant every phone in the house was essentially off-limits. Picking up a handset could instantly disconnect that person from the internet, and that’s why families began scheduling what times were “okay” to have a phone call. The worst crime was answering mid-download and hearing that angry modem tone cut off.
Call Long-Distance After 7 P.M. or on Weekends
That’s not all for phones. Before unlimited plans, long-distance calls cost quite a bit of money, and that meant you couldn’t simply call Grandma whenever. No, you had to wait for cheap minutes after 7 P.M. or on Saturday. Anytime that a kid wanted to make a long-distance call, they’d wait near the phone until the clock hit seven and dial fast before someone else claimed the line.
Avoid Leaving Static Images On the TV
So many parents were convinced that pausing video games would cause their image to burn into the screen. This was a time when CRT televisions were precious. As such, when dinner was ready, you had to switch the console off instead of just pausing it. A few kids learned to speed-run through levels just to avoid the risk of ruining the TV forever.
Hands Off the VCR Clock and Timers
Every VCR would usually flash 12:00. But during those rare times when the time was correct, it stayed that way because kids weren’t allowed to touch it. This is because parents used those timers to record shows. One wrong button could wipe out an entire episode, so when it wasn’t your show, you didn’t go near the VCR.
Don’t Leave Nintendo Cartridges in the Sun
Nintendo cartridges were almost like family heirlooms, and everyone knew the rule. The games stayed inside and out of the heat. Leaving one near a window would cause the plastic to warp, and you’d never hear the end of it. As such, parents reminded kids every summer afternoon that if they found Mario melting on the sill again, the children would be grounded.
Never Touch the Bunny Ears Without Asking
Every family had that one person who was allowed to adjust the antenna whenever the signal started fuzzing out. Anyone who tried it themselves and made the picture worse got a lecture about not following instructions. As soon as the screen cleared, nobody moved an inch.
Keep the Beanie Babies on the Shelf
There was always one shelf dedicated to collectibles, and everyone knew not to touch them. Parents swore those Beanie Babies would pay for college one day. This meant that the tags stayed on and the cases stayed closed, while the toys never left the room. There was no bending these rules.
Don’t Play With the Lava Lamp
Sure, you could stare at the lava lamp, but you couldn’t touch it. The wax inside those lamps was rather strange, and whenever you shook it, it went cloudy forever. And that meant it was ruined. This is why so many kids were told to admire it from the doorway and leave it alone.
Only Use the Disposable Cameras for “Special” Pictures
Disposable cameras were for events, not simply for fun. Parents made that clear. You didn’t test a shot or waste one on your cereal, but rather, you waited for birthdays or Christmas morning. Parents would repeat all the time that kids should “Make it count. That’s fifty cents a picture.” When the roll ran out, so did your freedom.
Order Double Prints and Label Every Photo Back
Likewise, developing photos was almost an event, with the whole family gathering around the envelope to see how they turned out. Someone always had to write the names on the back in blue pen. Not doing so meant you’d be caught later pretending you remembered who was who, which just wasn’t worth it.
No Touching the Decorative Telephone Table
The table under the wall phone was off-limits, as it was more command central than furniture. Whether it was the pad or the pen, even the address book, they had to stay exactly where Mom left them. There’d always be someone who would set down homework or a soda can, and then there’d be a shout from the kitchen before the ring tone even finished.
Always Label the Blank VHS Before Recording
Blank VHS tapes were worth their weight in gold in the ‘90s, so before anyone recorded, they had to write a label first. The Sharpie was always right next to the VCR. Those who forgot were bound to get in trouble later, as nobody knew which one held “Toy Story” or which one had the Super Bowl. A lazy mistake could wipe out an entire favorite episode forever.
Never Touch the Screen When Cleaning the Tube TV
Everyone pointed fingers when a fingerprint showed up on the TV. And not just not at the screen. The big glass front was off-limits unless Mom or Dad said otherwise, and they had their own “TV rag” that apparently worked better than anything else in the house. Cleaning it and leaving streaks meant you’d lose remote control privileges for the week.
Don’t Leave Gel Pens Uncapped
Gel pens were cool until they bled neon ink all over the furniture. Honestly, parents didn’t care how pretty the colors were, as they only cared about the stains, so forgetting to cap one would mean it was confiscated immediately. As a result, kids ended up writing their names at lightning speed. They had to get the lid back on before someone yelled from the kitchen.
Keep Milk Jugs For Return at the Grocery Store
Empty milk jugs didn’t go in the trash. No, they were rinsed and stacked by the back door before being hauled into the car. A nickel refund per jug was serious money in kid terms, so you were practically burning cash if you ever dared to throw one out. Nobody ever made that mistake twice.
Follow the Waterbed Care Rules
Each waterbed had its own maintenance schedule, and that included that the heater couldn’t be messed with, and the liner had to stay smooth. Nobody jumped on it. Ever. Once a month, Dad poured in conditioner and pressed out bubbles while everyone else stayed out of the room. Messing it up once was too much drama.
Be Quiet When Mom’s on the Cordless With Her Friends
As soon as the long white cordless phone came out, it was Mom’s time to rule the house. She’d pace the kitchen and everyone knew not to interrupt, not even open a bag of chips too loudly. One loud noise, and you’d be getting side-eyed before she finished her sentence. That never felt good.
Handle CDs Only By the Edges
Scratches were the kiss of death for CDs, and every kid learned from a parent’s warning tone to touch a CD only by the edges. You weren’t supposed to touch the shiny part or stack them on the carpet. Cleaning was a ritual that involved rubbing the CD in tiny circles with the special cloth from the stereo cabinet. Anyone who ruined a disc heard about it for years.
Shut Down Windows Properly Every Time
Nobody turned off the family computer without permission, as there was a series of steps to be followed. First, you pressed “Start,” then “Shut Down,” and finally, you waited for the screen that said it was safe. Hitting the switch early was grounds for panic, with parents swearing one bad shutdown could erase everything.
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