Boomer parents? That was a whole different breed. Wild. No helmets, no counseling, and certainly no organic fruit pouches. If you grew up with a “because I said so” mum or a father who disappeared behind a newspaper, welcome to the club. Millennial parents are rewriting the playbook.
Letting You “Cry It Out” (for HOURS)
Millennials have white noise machines, sleep consultants, and baby monitors. Boomers? They had “shut the door and let them scream.” You cried, they turned up the TV. These days, we call that emotional abandonment. Back then? Tuesday night.
Sending You to School Sick Unless You Were Half-Dead
Got a cough? “You’ll be fine.” Strong headache? “Take some aspirin.” Staying home from school wasn’t an option unless you were actually melting. Millennials? One sneeze and it’s a wellness day, complete with thermometers, tea, and emotional support.
Letting the TV Babysit for 8+ Hours
Boomer’s babysitter’s name was “Cartoons,” and it was cheap. From Saturday morning until the streetlights went on, we were stuck in front of screens. Blue light? What’s that? Parents today worry about screen-time quotas, but Boomers were just happy you weren’t burning down the house.
Never Using Sunscreen (Unless You Were Already Peeling)
Boomers believed SPF was “vacation only,” and even then, it was optional. You burned, you peeled, and you learned. Millennials are applying SPF 50 to their children before daybreak. A harsh sunburn back then simply meant summer was turned up.
No Helmets. Ever.
Racing a bike down a gravel hill with no helmet and with dubious brakes? Absolutely okay. Skating off a roof? YOLO. Boomers’ kids were daredevils by default. Today? Helmets, pads, and a comprehensive risk assessment just to ride a scooter.
Smoking in the House… and the Car… and Everywhere
Boomer parents didn’t only smoke around you — they hotboxed you. Windows rolled up, cigarette burning, baby in the backseat without a seatbelt, and a Capri Sun. Today? Light up by someone’s kid, and you’ll be tackled by three wellness moms.
Letting You Roam the Streets Like a Feral Cat
Boomer parents loved “go outside and don’t come back till dark.” No phones, no monitoring—just vibes. Millennials? They have GPS monitors, walkie-talkies, and anxiety apps. Back in the ’80s and ’90s, kids were essentially independent stunt doubles. If you returned home without a bruise, did you even have any fun?
Sending You to the Store Alone at Age 7
Here’s a dollar, go get milk. Alone. In public. Without a phone. Boomer parents didn’t just trust us — they imposed independence on us as if it were a sport. Millennials? They’re tracking their toddler’s tricycle ride in the backyard with GPS.
“You’ll Eat What I Make or You’ll Starve”
Boomer kitchens were ruled by one decree: You will eat what you are served. Dislike peas? Tough luck. Millennials are over here asking preschoolers what they want, sneaking in hidden veggies into spaghetti sauce, and saying sorry for broccoli trauma.
Refusing to Explain Anything With “Because I Said So”
Boomer parents didn’t have to explain rules. You simply obeyed them. Asking “why?” earned you one glare that would freeze your bones to dust. Millennials are all about soft guidance, talking, and instilling autonomy. Boomers were like, “Auton-what?”
Calling Everyone’s Kid Their Business
Boomer parents weren’t simply parenting their children – every child was being parented by them. Your friend’s mother could yell at you, spank you, or ground you – and your mom would be grateful. Millennials? Nobody touches their child. Nobody yells. And God forbid an adult even gives them the side-eye.
Allowing You to Watch Wild Things on Television
Boomers did not believe in age-appropriate everything. Horror films at age six? Okay. Adult jokes on sitcoms? No worries. Millennials restrict screen time, filter out YouTube, and prescreen every cartoon like it were a job interview. We watched Freddy Krueger before we were all toothed. Children today can’t even watch SpongeBob unsupervised.
Comparing You to Every Other Kid on Earth
“Why can’t you be like Sarah?”—a sentence every boomer kid heard in repeat mode. Comparison was used as a tool of parenting and not a sign of trouble. Millennials are all about “you’re perfect just as you are.” In the past, your every step was compared to a cousin, a neighbor, or a mythical straight-A student named Amanda.
Turning Every Emotion Into a Joke
Boomer parents did not discuss emotions—they ridiculed them. Crying? “Need something to cry about?” Anxious? “You’ll be okay.” Millennial parents? They affirm every small feeling like it’s a UN assembly. Boomer children learned to laugh through pain. Millennial kids learn to feel, process, and journal about it.
Expecting You to “Parent” Younger Siblings
Oldest siblings? Essentially, unpaid co-parents. You did diaper changes, lunch duty, and bedtime routine while still a kid yourself. Millennials approach birth order with a sociological thesis mentality. Boomers? Free labor.
Leaving You in the Car While They “Ran In”
No AC, windows hardly cracked, you in the backseat with nothing more than your imagination. “I’ll be five minutes” became 45. Millennials would NEVER. These days, it’s car seat safety inspections, climate control, and not leaving the kid alone for .02 seconds.
Absolutely No Privacy, No Apologies
Doors could be opened at any moment. Diaries read. Phone calls were eavesdropped on. Privacy was a luxury — not a right. Nowadays? Parents knock, seek permission, and consult their child’s “boundaries.” Boomers believed that was a joke.
15 Parenting Myths That Are Actually Harmful
It is completely normal to become overwhelmed by a myriad of myths that have carried on from generation to generation. While some advice may be well-meaning and hold value, other parental wisdom may be shockingly detrimental to a child’s emotional and mental health.
15 Parenting Myths That Are Actually Harmful
17 Ways Parenting Has Completely Changed in the Last Few Decades
If you were raising a kid 10 or 20 years ago, you’d hardly recognize today’s parenting world. From TikTok moms to toddler mental health, here are 17 ways parenting has done a complete 180 in the last few decades.
17 Ways Parenting Has Completely Changed in the Last Few Decades