22 Old-School Childhood Things That Don't Exist Anymore
"Knowing the phone numbers of all friends and family by heart. And having the ability to hold a brief, polite conversation with a grown-up, prior to asking if (no nicknames when talking to parents) is home, please?!"
—lucyec1980"Calling your friend's house and having to talk to their parent first.Like you'd pick up the chunky landline and be like:'Hi, um… can I talk to Isis?' 😳And their mom would be like, 'WHO'S THIS?'And you're just standing there sweating like you're applying for a job. 😭"—sharpwolf3045
"My mom used to send me and my sister into Target to get stuff we needed, like groceries and soap. This was when we were like ages 8 and 10. She wanted us to be independent! I never see unaccompanied children anywhere nowadays. My sister and I are 26 and 28 now."
"'Be kind, Rewind.' Also, calling the movie theaters to find out what is playing and at what time."
—bivvy92"Reading the newspaper to determine what new movies were playing and when."—kathyms
"Indoor recess on rainy days in elementary school consisting of board games, coloring, library trips, etc."
"Ice cream trucks. We used to have ice cream trucks that made regular routes in my childhood neighborhood and in my grandmother's neighborhood, where I spent a big chunk of my summers as a kid. The sheer excitement of scrounging up money and running down the street to get ice cream when we heard the music will always be one of my favorite childhood memories. It's a shame kids today will never share that excitement."
—carpentermegann16
"Having a question or a thought and not being able to google the answer."
"Being able to just air out our silly little problems on social media without having to deal with know-it-all randos dealing out shitty, unsolicited advice."
"No one under 15 wearing makeup, name brands, or having a cell phone. I just became an adult, but I can honestly say those were the days. 🥲"
—lilwolf4138"Actually having an awkward phase!"—wittymagazine967"Playing with your siblings and neighborhood friends for hours without being bored or worrying about what you looked like at all times."—tatertot
"During the summer, riding my bike to the library and just READING. I miss that so much. The library's AC was amazing, and its water fountains were icy, so when I arrived sweaty from biking, it made the trip very much worth it. At home, we had a window box unit and tepid tap water! I did this by myself, as a kid. The library was about a mile away. No one questioned it; it was quite common. No longer."
"My husband can't wrap his head around the fact that it's not necessary to record every single show he likes now. I've tried for years to show him where to find episodes that have already aired. Quit filling up the DVR, lol. We're old."
—anyninjawould
"My parents thought nothing of going out for dinner with friends, leaving my siblings and me at home alone. My sister was 8 when she started 'babysitting' my brother (6) and me (4). We had the phone number for the restaurant, but that was about it. Today, that would be seen as neglect!"
"Having 'best looking' contests senior year for our high school yearbooks."
—annaetienne
"Looking for change in the phone booths and buying candy at the thrift store."
"Using a card catalog to find books at the library."
—mommamurph05
"Hearing a busy signal when calling a phone number."
"Staying out all night in line for concert tickets. So fun!!"
"Not being supervised by adults at all times. I would take the bus back from school on my own from the age of 8 or 9, stay home for hours until my mom got back, had my snacks..."
—itsallinyrhead1"Leaving the house after eating cereal at 7 a.m. and not coming home (or having parents hear a peep from us, pre-cell phones) until we came crashing in our 10-speeds just in time for supper. Those were the days, man."—littlefairywanderer"'Be home by dinner!' Doubt many parents are comfortable saying that these days."—charmingfish91
"Being sent to my room for 'punishment'. Can't believe it actually was a punishment. Now I go to my room when I am in trouble with my siblings and I need a break from everybody 'cause they suck."
"Going to a drive-in theater and waiting for the sunset for the movie to start. The concession stand was waaay in the back, and everyone's kids were all in pajamas because we weren't staying awake until that movie ended..."
—icymagazine491
"The Five O'Clock Whistle. Fire stations used to blow a whistle every afternoon at 5:00 to let you check your clocks/watches. It also helped us Gen-X kids who were roaming around the neighborhood unsupervised know that dinner was coming soon."
"Riding into town in the back of my grandpa's pick-up truck. No seat belts, no cap."
—chilllion4232"Riding in the back of a station wagon with no seatbelt. Facing backwards. No belts. No airbags. Just vibes and nausea."—jessicajonesluv"'Driving' on Grandpa's and Mom's laps! I'd 'steer' while they had the gas and brakes. Learning to drive a stick shift at 12 years old, in the snow. Maybe that's why I'm always asked to drive now."—stephaniev23
And finally, "Common sense. Not just blindly following social media trends (or the equivalent) without that little voice saying, 'Hang on, this is stupid.'"
Now it's your turn! What's something that was normal when you were a kid but probably never happens now? Tell us in the comments or via the anonymous form below:
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