If I didn’t have it in 1977, you certainly won’t have it today.
My children think that the 1970s represent the worst possible time to be a kid. Whenever their dad and I share stories from our own childhood, they look at us with a mix of disbelief and sympathy, clearly relieved that they never have to experience that era. When they ask why we engaged in what they see as boring pastimes, they now echo our mantra, “because there was nothing else to do.”
Aside from their playful sarcasm about my younger days, they really are great kids. Nonetheless, like all kids, they require discipline from time to time. And for our family, sending them to the one place they dread most is my go-to punishment: the 1970s.
In our household, the ’70s are the ultimate consequence for major misdeeds, and it doesn’t take long for them to understand the message.
I know that some parents prefer to avoid punishment altogether, favoring discussions about behavior and reasoning with their children. While I recognize the value in that approach, I also believe that sometimes kids need a clearer lesson. When they step out into the world, there will be repercussions for their actions. It’s my responsibility to help them understand that at home.
If your kids are anything like mine, they are fully aware of their missteps and the rules they’ve broken. They know what’s expected of them, yet in a moment of impulse, they may choose to disregard those guidelines. I get it—I was a kid once too. While many parents might hope their children won’t get caught, I believe in the importance of discipline. After trying various methods, I found that consequences are the most effective.
The idea of sending my kids back in time as a form of punishment came to light when I realized that more conventional punishments weren’t working. When they were little, I tried the classic “Go to the corner!”—a throwback to my own school days when teachers would send chatty kids to face the wall. Unfortunately, I discovered my children lying on the floor, daydreaming or reading a book instead. Clearly, I needed a stronger approach.
As they grew, I attempted “Go to your room!” But with their phones, laptops, and toys, their rooms were far from dreaded spaces. I’d call out, “You can come out now!” only to hear, “That’s okay, Mom, I’ll just stay here!”
Finally, I unleashed the ultimate punishment of my youth: “You are grounded!” But, in a world filled with technology, being confined to the house didn’t seem to bother them as much as it did to my generation. They actually enjoy spending time with us. A grounding just didn’t carry the same weight anymore.
My quest for meaningful consequences finally clicked when, during yet another nostalgic tale from my childhood, my youngest son remarked, “I would hate to have been a kid then.” Ah-ha! The solution was right in front of me.
I’m not a fan of surprise punishments. Kids thrive on consistency and knowing the rules. I clearly laid out the expectations: if they broke any major family rules (like lying, being disrespectful, or getting into a car with a novice driver), they’d be sent back to the ’70s.
If I didn’t have it in 1977, you won’t have it now. Want to watch network television? Go ahead, enjoy! Need to chat on a landline phone? Be my guest! Sure, we had a microwave in ’77, but I doubt Bagel Bites existed back then—maybe grab an apple instead.
Here are just a few things off-limits during their time travel: cell phones, computers, DVDs, GPS (better get out a map!), iPods, Xbox, iPads, Kindles, Netflix, HBO, and cable TV. And here’s the kicker in our home: ESPN. Yes, boys, sports were only on network channels on weekends, and games aired just once.
I make exceptions for modern safety features like airbags and anti-lock brakes—that’s my parental prerogative. My kids have discovered that their time trips can be quite dreadful. While they might fantasize about time travel, they truly dislike this punishment. But in our family, it’s the most effective consequence I could devise.
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Summary:
Disciplining children can be a challenge, especially when conventional methods fall flat. In this light-hearted take on parenting, the author shares her unique approach of sending her kids back to the 1970s as a consequence for misbehavior, using nostalgia as a deterrent. By clearly outlining the rules and expectations, she teaches her children valuable lessons about consequences while keeping the tone engaging and humorous.