Cassette Tapes, Dial-Up, and 14 Other Things My Kid Will Never Believe Existed

home insemination Kit

As a seasoned millennial, I grew up straddling the line between the old world and the new. I can vividly recall life before the onslaught of social media, the internet, and smartphones. But as a parent of a toddler, I’ve come to realize that many items and experiences that were pivotal in my upbringing would utterly baffle him.

Today, he lives in a world dominated by tablets, and the idea that those devices didn’t exist when I was a kid is mind-boggling to him. He’s even skeptical that I used to watch some of the same TV shows he enjoys. As he grows, the gap between our childhood experiences—especially in tech and pop culture—will only widen. Soon, he’ll quiz me about the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s much like I ask my parents about the ’70s. Each day, I find myself adding to this list. Here’s what I’ve gathered so far:

1. Dial-Up Internet
   Can you believe you had to tie up a phone line just to access the internet? He’ll think I’m joking!
2. Home Phone Lines
   Imagine having a phone permanently bolted to the wall! Yes, I know they still exist, but who even uses them anymore?
3. Beepers
   Once the go-to for communication, unless you were a doctor, they were handy until you had to find a phone to return the page.
4. Pay Phones
   Random public phones that cost just a quarter to use? He’ll think I’m pulling his leg!
5. Answering Machines
   Before voicemail, there were these clunky tape recorders at home that captured your messages. The race was on to get there before Mom if you didn’t want her to hear something!
6. Cassette Tapes
   When I was my son’s age, cassette tapes were the ultimate way to jam out. I strutted around with my Walkman, thinking I was the coolest kid on the block.
7. CDs
   By third grade, CDs took over, and I amassed a huge collection that I held onto until recently.
8. VHS Tapes/VCRs
   I still miss my enormous Disney VHS collection. Sure, they were bulky, and rewinding was a pain, but they were magical—unless you were trying to watch Titanic, which required two tapes!
9. Video Stores
   There was nothing quite like a Friday night spent at Blockbuster, desperately hoping the previous renter remembered to “be kind, rewind.”
10. Butterfly Clips
    The quintessential hair accessory of my youth that I often used to jazz up my sneakers instead of my hair.
11. Sanrio
    Hello Kitty may always be popular, but characters like Keroppi and Badtz-Maru? Total strangers to him!
12. TRL (Total Request Live)
    Back when MTV actually showcased music videos, standing outside their Times Square building waiting for a glimpse of your favorite celebs was a thrill that’s long gone.
13. Dunkaroos
    Peak ’90s nostalgia in a lunchbox! Cookies and frosting that would probably earn a stern note from today’s schools for being “unhealthy.”
14. Beanie Babies
    We thought they would skyrocket in value. Now they’re just relics gathering dust in an attic.
15. T.G.I.F.
    Sure, shows like Full House had their revivals, but nothing beats the thrill of old-school T.G.I.F. with Family Matters and Sister, Sister.
16. Saturday Morning Cartoons
    Waking up to sugary cereal and classic cartoons like DuckTales and Recess was the highlight of my week. ABC had the best lineup!

It’s a bummer I didn’t keep more of these treasures, as soon my kid will only see them as artifacts in a museum. It reminds me of that line from Clueless: “The way I feel about the Rolling Stones is how my kids will feel about Nine Inch Nails.” Ugh, growing up is a trip.

For more insights on the journey of parenthood, check out this post about home insemination kits and the magical world they open up. If you’re interested in exploring artificial insemination options, Make A Mom provides excellent resources as well. Additionally, for a thorough understanding of pregnancy and home insemination, Genetics and IVF Institute is a fantastic reference.

Summary

This article reflects on the stark differences between the author’s childhood experiences and those of today’s kids, highlighting nostalgic items such as cassette tapes, dial-up internet, and VHS tapes. The author expresses a sense of loss for these relics of the past while recognizing their significance in shaping a generation.