Media has fun portraying millennials as a generation of spoiled kids, but in reality, millennials had to work hard to keep up with all the changes technology threw in their paths. Here are some of the things millennial parents miss most from their Childhoods.
- An Interactive “Pet Rock” of Their Very Own
Much easier to care for than actual offspring, a Technicolor Tamagotchi swung from the belt loops of the coolest kids in the late 90s. Back then, teens were forgiven when they accidentally starved their Tomagotchis to death. So it didn’t do much to prepare them for the judgement they get today when they forget to send their kids to school with a whole grain, free-range organic snack. Whoops!
Tech Toys of the 1990s
I had one of each giga nano and tamagotchi I loved my giga and nano the best I even clipped them on my belt loops and pocketbooks, I still even look for them in old boxes every now and then - Koosh Balls
Koosh balls were collected in every color, and their unnatural scent had to be inhaled at every opportunity. They had to be spun over and over by pulling two strings on each side. But easy does it, or the wrath of a friend awaited: OH, NO! YOU BROKE THE STRINGS AND OWE ME A NEW KOOSH, YOU JERK!
Omg! We are watching an episode of Legends of the…
tardisinthelibrary - Pogs and Slammers
Only fate and a heavy Slammer could determine if your Pogs would land face-up or face-down.
Things I <3
Pogs!!! Still have two slammers, CR calls them her “awesome money” lol - Prank Calls
If Moe’s Tavern had caller ID, Bart Simpson wouldn’t have had an extra curricular activity. And we wouldn’t have been so inspired by getting strangers to yell for Ivana Tinkle and Hugh Jass.
The Simpsons Show And Party Ideas.
bart,s prank call | Simpsons Prank Calls Soundboard app is a complete collection of prank … - Kay-Bee Toys
Once a staple of hundreds of malls in America, Kay-Bee left a legacy. Shoppers were greeted by the yipping of electronic pups and the whirring of robotic gadgets on display en masse at the entrance to every store. That racket was music to the ears of millions of kids before the company went out of business in 2007.
1980s Kay-Bee Toys 15″ Soldier
Kay-Bee Toys Soldier - Being Untethered
In the late 80s and early 90s, pagers and mobile phones were becoming more common, but not common enough for every parent to trust their kids with them. So most kids still relied on street lights or analogue watches bought with allowance cash to tell them when it was time to stop playing and get home for dinner. There was no checking for messages or posting on Facebook — the focus was just on playing.
Dusk & Dawn
Dusk & Dawn - Privacy
Before smartphones, nobody’s phone did much more than make calls — oh, the horror! Kids had the freedom to act stupid with their friends and not worry about seeing their antics displayed on social media or the news later. Privacy was an actual thing!
Retro (and current) tech of my lifetime…
This is very similar to my very first cell phone (a 1998 Nokia model, if I’m not too mistaken). It was clunky, but it worked. I don’t think I ever once used it for texting… - Napster
Between 1999 and 2001, Napster was the music-sharing service. Yes, technically speaking it was totes illegal, but free music was awesome while it lasted.
This Was What The World Was Like The Last Time Someone Sold Over 2 Million Albums In One Week
Metallica and Dr. Dre sued Napster. | This Was What The World Was Like The Last Time Someone Sold Over 2 Million Albums In One Week - Fountain Ponytails
Like the spray of Old Faithful, this hairstyle shot straight up from the center of girls’ heads or slightly off to the side. It was fun to twirl your ponytail around and around and around, and the style kept your neck cool, too!
You’re the scrunchie to my side ponytail.
The ultimate way to tell someone you love them! - Normal Weather Patterns
Remember when you could actually predict the weather? It wasn’t 70 degrees one week and 30 the next.
A Cupcake for the Teacher: An Anchor, a Tip… Five for Friday!
A Cupcake for the Teacher: Meteorologist Anchor Chart - Hypercolor Tees
Nothing was more fun than making handprints on the backs of friends who wore these heat-sensitive, color changing tops. Well, until puberty hit, that is. With all its flop-sweat and hot zones no girl wanted to wear this shirt when reading a book report to her entire class.
9 Awesome Brands From The 90s You Haven’t Thought About In Ages
Hypercolor! I loved mine- 9 Awesome Brands From The 90s You Haven’t Thought About In Ages: Dressed - Laser Beam School Photos
School photos were never so futuristic looking! Who didn’t want to pretend to time travel or bend light in the sixth grade?
Childhood Nostalgia
Going to school with the side ponytail…and I TOTALLY have pics with this background!! - Magic Eye Posters
A litmus test for how well people can lie to your face about seeing the optical illusion you were pretty sure they couldn’t. So dizzying, yet so fun!
Animals, Funny, Things to do and Cool Stuff.
Run SHARK !!! 1990’s called they want their poster back. Can you see it? - Communicating in The Most Creative Ways
The art of notebook paper origami was a hard one to master, but middle school was all about passing creatively folded notes in class behind the teacher’s back. It was super easy to start or end friendships or ‘romances’ by checking a “yes” or “no” box within the note.
I’m Remembering!
I used to have shoe boxes full of these in the back of my closet. There may still be a few lurking around at my parents even now.
Millennials may have grown up with some of the best advances in technology, communication and educational resources, but they know in their hearts that it was the simpler stuff of their youth that made their generation the happiest.
Are you a millennial mom or dad? We’d love for you to share memories and pictures from your childhood on our Facebook Page or Twitter!
