Our childhoods make us the adults we are today. Nobody has more influence over us than our parents, no matter their parenting style. Society criticizes old-school parenting, but many people were brought up that way. If you can identify with these 18 things, your parents were very obviously old-school.
Manners Were Non-Negotiable
Manners are one old-fashioned thing that will always stay in style. Old-school parents don’t let their children get away with anything, even marginally rude or uncouth. If you recall being reprimanded for using slang, forgetting to say ‘please’ once, or cutting your food incorrectly, you had old-school parents.
Respect was Everything
We should all respect our parents, but some command it more loudly than others. This focus on traditional respect fits into the push for good manners. Bustle cites making eye contact, punctuality, and standing when introduced to someone as examples of old-fashioned respect. For old-school parents, respect is everything.
You Dressed Conservatively
Children should look like children, not mini-adults, but parents with old-fashioned values usually enforce ultra-conservative dress codes on their children. Their sons wear proper shirts, not t-shirts or hoodies, and their daughters don’t wear short skirts. These old-school ideas about clothes prioritize modesty, much to many teenagers’ dismay.
You Didn’t Date
No parent wants their child to be dating while young, but some parents refuse to allow dating even when the children are teenagers. These old-school parents often accidentally encourage their children to sneak around with the boyfriends or girlfriends they secretly date. Even as an adult, dating might seem taboo.
You Followed Traditional Table Etiquette
Some may think that traditional table etiquette is going out of fashion, but those who grew up with old-school parents know that’s not true! They likely remember eating at the same time every day, being scolded for putting their elbows on the table, and not being allowed phones or toys at the table.
Chores Were Expected
Chores are a great way to teach children responsibility, but many parents incentivize children to do them by offering rewards. If your parents viewed chores as an expectation, not a choice, they were old-school. And if they assigned you your own chore for the entire family, they were really old-school!
You Never Challenged Them
Thanks to the rise of gentle parenting, many young parents struggle to discipline their children effectively. Older parents who favored old-school rules to keep control of their homes rarely had that problem. You were likely too scared to challenge your old-school parents because they wouldn’t tolerate bad behavior.
You Played Outdoors
Nowadays, children have access to so much technology that they rarely play outdoors. Harvard Health advises that children need regular outdoor play for exercise, socialization, and essential vitamins from the sun. If you have fond memories of playing outdoors as a child, your parents were old-school in a good way.
You Always Asked For Permission
People say it’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission, but that’s certainly not true if your parents were old-school! Traditional parenting means knowing where your children are and what they’re doing at all times. That’s why your old-school parents always made you ask for permission before you could do anything.
They Knew Everything
Omniscience may be a sign of God, but it’s also a sign of really old-school parents. They can read their children like books, catching them in lies and unearthing whatever secrets they’re keeping. If your old-school parents always seemed to know everything, you’re probably a very honest adult now!
You Had Responsibility Early
You’re never too young to learn adult responsibility. At least, that’s what your old-school parents probably told you as a child. Traditionally, children would begin learning household responsibilities alongside their schoolwork to prepare them for adulthood. Old-school parents are afraid of raising children who grow into incompetent adults.
You Had a Curfew
Nothing gets past strict parents, especially a child staying out late. A curfew is one of the most obvious signs of old-school parenting because it’s all about control and responsibility. Your parents could control what time you came home, and you were praised for your responsible timekeeping.
You Were Seen, Not Heard
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘children should be seen and not heard’; if you grew up with old-school parents, it was likely your existence. According to Gal-Dem, this parenting idea evolved from the Victorian belief that children’s opinions were worthless and should be disregarded. It informs how old-school parents expect children to behave.
You Went to Church Every Sunday
Being religious is an obvious sign that your family is traditional, but your parents were really old-school if they took you to church every Sunday. You may have even attended Sunday school. Even if you’re no longer religious, your traditionalistic childhood undoubtedly impacted how you grew up.
You Had a Set Bedtime
Bedtimes are a great way to settle children into routines, but they grow out of set bedtimes once they reach a certain age. However, if you were sent to bed at a specific time, no matter your age, you had old-school parents. Old-fashioned parenting is all about establishing routines and sticking to them.
You Had Several Formal Outfits
Boomers and Gen X were the last two generations to really appreciate formalwear, which influenced their parenting. You probably remember having several formal outfits for occasions like weddings, funerals, church, and family parties. Your appearance was considered a reflection of your family, so you had to dress well.
You Understood Discipline
Children need discipline, but there’s a big divide between authoritarian parents and permissive parents. According to Psych Central, authoritarian parents are usually strict and have high expectations, which can sometimes come off as cold. If you recognize this parenting style, you likely had old-school parents who valued discipline.
You Knew Your Family History
Family legacies aren’t much of a big deal to most people unless they’re old-fashioned. If you grew up knowing all about your ancestors and the things they did, your parents favored old-fashioned values. Being proud of your family history isn’t a bad thing; it’s simply considered antiquated by young society.
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