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My Punishment for My Kids? Sending Them Back to the ’70s
If I didn’t have it in 1977, you won’t get to have it today…
My kids think there’s no worse fate than being sent to the 1970s. When my partner, Mark, and I share stories from our youth, our kids look at us with a mix of confusion and pity, mostly relieved that they’ll never have to live in that world. Whenever they ask why we engaged in what they see as boring activities, they chime in unison, “because there was nothing else to do.”
Despite their sarcastic takes on my childhood, I generally have great kids. But like all kids, they sometimes need consequences for their actions. And for us, the ultimate punishment is sending them to the dreaded ’70s.
In our household, the ’70s is our go-to punishment for serious offenses, and it doesn’t take long for them to understand the severity. Now, I know some parents are against punishment, preferring discussions and reasoning, which is valid. However, there are times when kids simply need a break from each other, and I believe it’s my job to prepare them for real-life consequences.
If your kids are anything like mine, they know when they’ve messed up. They’re aware of our family rules but sometimes choose to ignore them. I can relate; I was a kid once, and I remember hoping I wouldn’t get caught. I’ve tried talking things out and various forms of punishment, but consequences are what seem to resonate the most.
The idea of sending them back in time became my go-to punishment when I realized that more traditional methods weren’t effective. In the beginning, I tried the classic “Go to the corner!”—a throwback to my own childhood when teachers used it as a time-out for chatty students. But my kids would just end up lying on the floor, daydreaming or reading a book. Clearly, I needed something more impactful.
As they got older, I moved on to “Go to your room!” But with their gadgets and toys, their rooms weren’t exactly a dreaded place. When I’d call them out, they’d often shout back, “No thanks, Mom, I’ll just stay here.” So, I pulled out my last resort: “You’re grounded!” But even that didn’t have the same effect it used to; they didn’t fear being stuck at home nearly as much as I did growing up.
One day, after another nostalgic tale of our childhood, my youngest son lamented, “I would hate to have been a kid then.” A lightbulb went off.
I’m not one for surprise punishments; I believe kids should know what to expect to feel secure. So, I laid it out clearly: if you break any major family rules (like lying or being disrespectful), it’s back to the ’70s for you.
If I didn’t have it in 1977, you can’t have it in 2021. Want to use a cell phone? Sorry, that’s out. How about a computer or Netflix? Not a chance! My kids have to make do without all their tech gadgets. The only exceptions? Safety features like airbags and anti-lock brakes—those are non-negotiable.
My kids do not enjoy these trips back in time. Despite every child’s fantasy about time travel, my kids can’t stand it. But for us, it’s proven to be the most effective punishment ever devised.
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In summary, sometimes the best way to teach kids about consequences is to send them to a time they’ll never forget—the 1970s.