The ’70s-Light Parenting Approach

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Parenting

The ’70s-Light Parenting Approach

by Jessica Harlow

Updated: July 29, 2016

Originally Published: April 8, 2005

One day, I entered the bathroom to find the lid down—something my youngest daughter had done to “keep the cats from falling in and drowning.” I lifted the lid, only to be startled by a flash of color that made me think a spider was about to leap at me. But it wasn’t a spider; it was a massive green sticker from Killington Mountain, transforming my toilet into something reminiscent of a college dorm.

Just then, my oldest daughter walked in, beaming. “Isn’t it great?” she asked.

I strive to give my daughters what I like to call a “’70s-light” upbringing. They chalk up the garage floor and hang ribbons from the staircase. In the backyard, they have a fort filled with what some might consider junk, but that sparks their imagination. We embrace creativity, transforming leftover wrapping ribbons and odd molds into arts and crafts.

While we do maintain some order to avoid utter chaos, my husband and I have designated areas in the house that we try to keep relatively free from our daughters’ belongings. We have bins for their shoes and specific spots for backpacks and homework. There are chores—like matching socks, washing dishes, and cleaning the cat litter—that sometimes get done. Like every family, we are constantly evolving.

Though this approach might not suit everyone, the ‘70s-light style of parenting works for us. We may be a bit messier and bend more rules than some would find acceptable, but this lifestyle allows my girls to explore, be creative, and gives my husband and me the freedom to relax instead of always enforcing rules we don’t fully believe in. After more than a decade of parenting, we’ve learned that sometimes, it’s best to just go with the flow.

Here are a few things we let slide that might drive other parents crazy:

1. Glitter
   This took some time to accept. My husband used to resist it, but glitter is the ultimate craft supply and works wonders to end sibling squabbles. “Want to do a glitter project?” is met with shrieks of joy.
2. Unmade Beds
   Life’s too short to spend three minutes each morning making a bed. Plus, a made bed looks way more impressive after a few days of being left unmade.
3. Towels on the Floor
   Only one of our three daughters has a habit of leaving towels on the floor, so when I find them, it reminds me to give the dog and cats a bath.
4. Writing on Mirrors
   Since no one else uses our upstairs bathroom, I don’t mind if it resembles a backseat window after a long car ride with a dog. I love seeing “I love you” scribbled on the mirror after each shower.
5. LEGO Chaos
   If there are LEGO setups on every corner of the stairs, it means my girls are engaged in play and creativity. At least they are trying not to trip us!

As for that giant sticker I mistook for a spider, I can’t wait to share the story of how our toilet became known as “The Beast.” Yep, we left it there.

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In essence, the ‘70s-light parenting method encourages creativity and freedom, allowing kids to thrive while easing parental stress.