As a member of the older millennial generation, I experienced the transition from the old to the new. I remember a time when social media, the internet, and smartphones were absent from daily life. Now, as a parent to a toddler, I realize that many elements that defined my childhood would seem completely foreign to him.
With the prevalence of tablets and other modern gadgets in his life, he would likely struggle to grasp the concept that these technologies didn’t exist when I was younger. He’s even skeptical when I tell him I watched some of the same TV shows he enjoys today. As he matures, the gap between our childhood experiences will only widen. Soon enough, he’ll be asking me about the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s just as I inquire about the ’70s from my own parents. With each passing day, I find myself adding to this list. Here’s what I have so far:
- Dial-Up Internet
It’s hard for him to fathom that connecting to the internet required a phone line. - Landline Phones
He won’t believe that I used a phone connected to a wall. Taking your phone with you was a foreign concept. - Beepers
Once popular, beepers are now nearly extinct, except for in hospitals. They were handy until you needed to find a phone to respond to a page. - Pay Phones
Randomly placed phones on streets? And all you needed was a quarter? Unbelievable! - Answering Machines
Before voicemail, we had tape-recording machines that captured messages, leading to frantic dashes to beat parents to the message. - Cassette Tapes
At his age, I was jamming to music on cassette tapes, carrying a Walkman everywhere. - CDs
By third grade, CDs took over, and I amassed a sizable collection until recently. - VHS Tapes/VCRs
I fondly recall my extensive Disney VHS collection, even if they were bulky and required rewinding. - Video Rental Stores
There was nothing quite like a Friday night trip to Blockbuster to rent a movie, even with the frustration of rewinding. - Butterfly Clips
These hair accessories were the ultimate tween trend, often used to adorn my sneakers instead. - Sanrio Characters
While Hello Kitty remains timeless, my son has no idea who Keroppi or Badtz-Maru are. Where did the Sanrio stores go? - TRL (Total Request Live)
MTV used to air music videos during prime time. The thrill of hoping to see celebrities outside the MTV building is lost on today’s youth. - Dunkaroos
These delicious snacks consisted of tiny cookies and frosting, now likely deemed inappropriate for school lunches. - Beanie Babies
The obsession was real, with hopes of turning them into a fortune—but now they just gather dust. - T.G.I.F.
Shows like Full House and Boy Meets World had their moments, but nothing compares to the excitement of classic T.G.I.F. programming. - Saturday Morning Cartoons
There was a special joy in waking up early on Saturdays with sugary cereal to watch cartoons like DuckTales and Recess.
It’s a bit disheartening that I didn’t keep many of these items, as the only place he’ll see them now is in a museum. I’m reminded of a quote from Clueless: “The way I feel about the Rolling Stones is how my kids will feel about Nine Inch Nails.” Growing up can be tough.
In summary, while my child will have a vastly different childhood experience than mine, it’s fascinating to reflect on these relics of the past. If you’re interested in more about home insemination, check out this other blog post here. For more information on artificial insemination, visit Cryobaby, an authority on the topic. For a deeper dive into fertility topics, consider this excellent resource at Science Daily.