Growing up in the ’70s was a wild ride, full of freedoms and risks that would make today’s helicopter parents break out in a cold sweat. Back then, moms were often laid-back, trusting, and confident in their kids’ ability to figure things out—sometimes to hilarious or nerve-wracking results. Let’s take a nostalgic dive into 14 things only a ’70s mom would let her kids do and explore how much times have changed.
1. Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck
There was nothing like cruising down the highway, wind whipping your hair, as you bounced around in the back of a pickup truck. Seat belts? Safety regulations? Not in the ’70s! Today, this carefree thrill would send parents into a panic (and probably land them a hefty fine).
2. Disappear Until the Streetlights Came On
In the ’70s, kids spent entire days roaming the neighborhood or exploring the woods without a cell phone or any way to check in. The only rule was to be home by dark. Today, parents track kids’ every move with GPS apps, but back then, a bike and some friends were all the supervision you needed.
3. Use Questionable Playground Equipment
Remember metal slides that doubled as frying pans in the summer or see-saws that catapulted you into orbit? ’70s playgrounds were injury factories, and moms didn’t blink an eye. You just learned to hold on tight—or get back up if you fell.
4. Eat Whatever You Wanted for Lunch
Sugary cereals, bologna sandwiches, Hostess snacks—moms in the ’70s weren’t worried about organic kale or sugar content. Lunchboxes were filled with processed delights, and nobody fretted about food pyramids or preservatives.
5. Stay in the Car Alone While Mom Shopped
Moms in the ’70s thought nothing of leaving kids in the car with the windows cracked while they ran errands. A book or the radio kept you occupied, and the idea of someone calling CPS for this would’ve seemed absurd back then.
6. Walk to School Alone
Even at a young age, kids in the ’70s walked to school solo or in packs. Crossing guards were the only supervision needed. Today, parents fret over traffic, strangers, and a dozen other dangers, making solo walks a rarity.
7. Light Fireworks in the Backyard
What’s a summer holiday without a Roman candle or sparklers in the hands of a 10-year-old? Moms in the ’70s handed over fireworks with little more than a “Be careful!” Today, this would likely require permits, safety goggles, and a fire marshal’s approval.
8. Ride Bikes Without Helmets
Helmet hair wasn’t a concern because nobody wore helmets. Kids zoomed around on banana-seat bikes, popping wheelies and building makeshift ramps. Moms figured if you crashed, you’d shake it off—or at worst, get a cast everyone could sign.
9. Play with “Dangerous” Toys
Lawn darts, BB guns, and Easy-Bake Ovens with actual lightbulbs that could burn your fingers were all fair game. Moms trusted you to figure out how not to injure yourself (or your siblings). Safety labels weren’t a thing back then.
10. Have the House to Yourself
Latchkey kids were a norm in the ’70s. Moms didn’t think twice about letting kids come home from school to an empty house. You made yourself a snack, watched some TV, and maybe got your homework done before she came home from work.
11. Watch TV with No Restrictions
Saturday mornings were for cartoons, and late nights were for whatever was on the three available channels. Whether it was Three’s Company innuendo or violent action movies, moms weren’t hovering over the remote. Screen time limits? What were those?
12. Try “Experimental” Recipes
’70s moms weren’t afraid to let kids help in the kitchen—even if it meant experimenting with a Jell-O mold or Spam casserole. The results weren’t always edible, but it was all part of the learning experience.
13. Drink from the Garden Hose
Hydration in the ’70s didn’t involve bottled water or concerns about BPA. Moms sent kids outside and told them to drink straight from the hose if they were thirsty. The slight taste of rubber was just part of summer.
14. Get a Perm at Age 10
The ’70s obsession with perms wasn’t limited to adults. Moms thought nothing of letting their kids experiment with their hair, even if it meant enduring the smell of chemicals and looking like a poodle for months. It was all part of self-expression.
Looking back, the ’70s were a mix of freedom, fun, and a little recklessness. Moms of that era trusted their kids—and the world—more than today’s parents might dare. Sure, some of it was risky, but it made for some unforgettable childhoods. What’s your wildest memory of growing up in the ’70s?
