15 Signs You Were Raised by Free-Spirited Parents

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When my mom reads this, she’ll correct me—she insists she was a beatnik, not a hippie. But honestly, she was so countercultural that the distinction hardly matters. Growing up, I always felt like our family was a bit eccentric. I spent my early childhood roaming barefoot on the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard before we embarked on a whirlwind of relocations across the country. By the time I was 13, we had moved 13 times, a fact I often boasted about. My parents were on a never-ending quest for self-discovery, world change, and adventure.

We were the real deal hippies—far from the faux-hippies I encountered in high school during the ’90s, adorned with plastic peace-sign jewelry and pre-ripped jeans. We were eating tofu and sipping soy milk long before they became mainstream staples found in every grocery store.

Here’s how you know you might have been raised by flower children:

1. The day John Lennon passed away felt like a family catastrophe. You all huddled around the flickering black-and-white television, witnessing the grief of your parents for the first time. John (yes, he was on a first-name basis with everyone in the house) had been serenading you since before you could even understand the words.
2. You were “eating clean” before it was trendy. Sugary cereals were a no-go in our house, and I still remember the guilt I felt when I was offered Lucky Charms at a friend’s place—watching the milk turn pink from Red No. 2 was nearly traumatic.
3. You became enchanted by Dr. Bronner’s soap, bathing in its minty froth while reciting “All one! All one!” as your mom rinsed your hair.
4. Alex P. Keaton was a strange puzzle to you. How could someone so charming be a Republican? You pondered the chaos that would ensue if you ever decided to marry him.
5. Your mom’s dog-eared copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves was your go-to resource in preadolescence. They had opened the door to conversations about sex early, and this book provided detailed insights into everything from female pleasure to natural childbirth—all by the time you were 10.
6. At first, you had to suppress your admiration for Madonna, who seemed to represent the very capitalism your parents opposed. When you first heard of Richard Marx, you innocently wondered if he was Karl’s great-grandson and what his views on religion were.
7. Forget Cheetos and chips! Snack time was a bowl of sunflower seeds, and if you were lucky, a carob-covered rice cake was an extravagant treat.
8. Your mom was privy to every detail of your teenage romances, knowing the moment you lost your virginity (see No. 5).
9. National holidays left you feeling uneasy. Pledging allegiance felt complicated when you were reminded of Vietnam and other American transgressions.
10. You unintentionally spoiled the magic of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy for your schoolmates. Your parents had been upfront about the myths, but they forgot to mention that not everyone was in on the secret.
11. You tucked Spiritual Midwifery inside your math textbook, reading it during algebra class while dreaming of graduating early to have your babies delivered by Ina May at The Farm.
12. When someone mentioned “granola” as a stereotype of hippies, you were baffled—granola was just breakfast, right?
13. In your twenties, you found yourself discussing boundary issues in therapy (thanks, Mom).
14. As a parent, certain things came naturally. If your newborn fussed at bedtime, you scooped them up to snuggle in bed with you, just like you did as a child. Convincing your own parents of the need for scheduled naptimes became the real challenge, given their free-spirited past.
15. You weren’t shocked when your firstborn started calling you by your first name, but your heart melted when your second child uttered “Mommy” and “Daddy.”

Like many, I experienced a wonderfully imperfect childhood. While I cherish the lessons my unconventional upbringing taught me about diversity and resilience, I sometimes wished for a life with a bit more “normalcy.” Now, as a parent, I embrace a more traditional lifestyle yet hold onto my countercultural roots. I feel grateful for the encouragement to question norms and value love above all else.

For more insights on family and parenting, consider checking out our other blog posts, such as this one. If you’re exploring home insemination, Make a Mom is a great authority on the topic, and you can also find useful information at American Pregnancy.

Summary: Growing up with free-spirited parents often means navigating a unique childhood filled with unconventional experiences, from early lessons in nutrition to a deep connection with counterculture figures like John Lennon. These formative years shape our adult lives, leading to a blend of traditional and alternative parenting styles.