As a member of the older millennial generation, I find myself straddling the line between the analog past and the digital present. My life was shaped by experiences that my toddler will likely find hard to fathom. With each passing day, I recognize that many elements of my childhood are completely alien to him, especially in a world dominated by tablets and instant connectivity. It’s amusing to think that he might someday question my fondness for the same TV shows he watches, unaware of the cultural landscape that existed before smartphones. As he grows, the gap between our childhood experiences will only widen. Soon, he’ll be asking about the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s the way I ask my parents about the ’70s. Here’s a list of some of the relics from my youth that he might find unbelievable:
- Dial-Up Internet
There’s no way he’ll grasp the concept of connecting to the internet through a phone line. - Home Phone Lines
He’ll likely be baffled at the thought of a phone tethered to a wall. Yes, landlines still exist, but who actually uses them anymore? - Beepers
Once a common accessory, beepers have vanished from everyday life—unless you’re in the medical field, that is. - Pay Phones
Imagine a time when you could find a phone on the street, and all you needed was a quarter to make a call. Incredible! - Answering Machines
Before voicemail, there were machines that recorded your messages. I remember racing to the machine to catch a message before my mom did. - Cassette Tapes
At his age, I was rocking out to cassette tapes on my Walkman, convinced I was the coolest kid around. - CDs
Switching to CDs around third grade was a big deal for me, and I had an impressive collection that lasted well into my adult years. - VHS Tapes/VCRs
My beloved Disney VHS tapes were a staple of my childhood, even if they required endless rewinding (and good luck if you wanted to watch Titanic!). - Video Stores
Nothing topped a Friday night spent scouring the aisles of Blockbuster to rent a movie—unless, of course, someone forgot to rewind it. - Butterfly Clips
These hair accessories were all the rage when I was a tween. I often used them to jazz up my sneakers instead of my hair. - Sanrio Characters
While Hello Kitty remains popular, other characters like Keroppi and Pekkle have faded into obscurity, along with the Sanrio boutiques that used to fill the malls. - TRL (Total Request Live)
MTV once celebrated music videos during regular hours, and standing outside the MTV building in Times Square was a dream for many fans. - Dunkaroos
These delightful snack-sized cookies with frosting were a lunchtime favorite, though today’s health-conscious schools would likely have a field day with them. - Beanie Babies
Once thought to be a goldmine, these plush collectibles now gather dust in attics across America. - T.G.I.F.
Friday nights were all about classic shows like Full House and Family Matters, which can’t be compared to today’s reboots. - Saturday Morning Cartoons
Waking up early on Saturdays with a bowl of sugary cereal to watch cartoons like DuckTales and Gummi Bears was sheer bliss.
It’s a shame I didn’t preserve more of these nostalgic items, as my child will likely have to view them in a museum one day. As I reminisce, I’m reminded of a line from a classic movie: “The way I feel about the Rolling Stones is how my kids will feel about today’s bands.” Growing up can be quite the journey.
To explore more about home insemination, check out our post on intracervical insemination. Additionally, for a deep dive into artificial insemination kits, visit Make A Mom, an authority on the topic. For comprehensive information about pregnancy, the NICHD offers excellent resources.
In summary, the gap between my childhood and my child’s experiences continues to grow, filled with relics from a bygone era that he may never truly understand.