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Letting kids ride in the car unrestrained -

For many years, kids rode unrestrained in cars. But by 1985 in the US, for instance, all states had adopted one or more laws aimed at "reducing harm to infants and child passengers by requiring the use of some sort of child restraint device."

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Smoking around kids -

While there are still some parents who might smoke in front of their kids, it's pretty much frowned upon these days. But just half a century ago, parents were happily puffing away in front of their kids, often indoors.

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Giving kids soda -

While most parents today stick to organic baby food, in the 1950s, believe it or not, 7Up was advertised as a healthy supplement to a baby's diet.

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Allowing kids to take public transportation alone -

A few decades ago, it wasn't uncommon to see young children riding public transportation on their own. However, many parents today would be horrified by the idea of it.

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Biting children to keep them from biting others -

Just a few decades ago, the "do as I say, not as I do" approach was pretty big with parents when it came to discipline. Many parents believed that when a child went through a biting phase, the best way to end it was to bite them back. Luckily, this is no longer a thing.

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Giving babies bourbon to help with teething pain -

Long before there were teething toys and pain-relief products, many parents would rub bourbon on their babies' gums to help them with teething pain.

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Giving kids alcohol to get them to sleep -

In a text from 1920, psychiatrist Esther Harding wrote, "Hot toddy as a sleeping draught is good for infants and for the aged."

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Letting infants cry for hours -

The idea of letting babies cry endlessly would horrify most modern moms and dads. However, in the early part of the 20th century, it wasn't seen as either cruel or unusual.

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Letting kids roam as they pleased -

Parents would regularly let kids roam around the neighborhood and in nearby forests. Today, that would be unimaginable for many parents.

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Watching TV all day -

If you grew up in the '80s and '90s, then you probably watched TV from the moment you got home from school until bedtime. And we all know that doesn't happen with today's kids.

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Letting kids cook alone -

Today, even kitchen appliances can be bought childproofed. But a few decades ago, kids were even encouraged to use the stove. According to the 1957 edition of 'Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and Girls,' every child should "start learning to do a few things."

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Feeding newborns full meals -

While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies having only breastmilk or formula for the first six months, that wasn't always the case. In the 1960s, it was recommended that children consume specially-prepared food before they even hit the one-month mark.

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Putting babies on their stomachs to sleep -

While this was a norm for many decades, the idea is horrifying to many safe sleep conscious parents today. In fact, since the introduction of the Back-to-Sleep campaign in the US in 1994, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been reduced by more than 50% nationally.

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Putting babies in questionable beds -

Today's recommendations include a crib or other safe sleep environment, with a flat mattress and no pillows or covers. But back in 1916, the ideal bed was made out of a clothes' basket.

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Bathing babies in oil -

Soap and water? No, back in the day it was recommended that parents give babies their first bath in oil, directly after birth.

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Letting kids stay home alone -

Going out for the evening? Just a few decades ago, instead of getting a babysitter, parents would frequently leave their kids alone with the TV on.

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Allowing kids to play on questionable playground equipment -

Parks and playgrounds were once full of equipment that would terrify your average parent today. But thanks to today's safety measures, you won't find splintery seesaws and furnace-hot metal slides anymore.

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Giving kids sugary breakfasts -

Remember when you ate sugary cereals for breakfast? It was literally like having dessert in the morning, something you wouldn't allow your own kids to do.

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Having sleepovers at homes they didn't know well -

Sleeping over at a neighbor's house, even if your parents didn't know them well, used to be pretty common. But today, most parents wisely check out the family before letting their child sleep over.

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Skipping helmets -

Today's parents are more concerned about safety compared to the previous generation. So you won't see today's kids skipping on helmets like you did as a child.

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Letting kids drink from the hose -

While we might have sipped on water from the hose as kids, today we know that it contains many different toxic chemicals, including lead, bromine, and BPA.

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Sending kids to bed without dinner -

"If you don't do x, you'll go to bed hungry!" was a common form of parental blackmail. However, many parents today would be horrified by this approach, especially as it can lead to eating disorders later on.

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Using technology without supervision -

If you got a computer when the internet was just starting out, then you were probably free to surf that thing without any restrictions. But most parents today know that unrestricted web access and children aren't a great combination.

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Buying fast food every week -

You likely grew up eating McDonald's or other fast food on a weekly basis. But we all know today that we shouldn't do that to our kids.

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Giving kids corn syrup for constipation -

Today, a little water, some additional fiber, or a drugstore remedy treat a child's constipation. However, years ago, dark corn syrup was the go-to remedy, which isn't recommended these days.

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Washing a kid's mouth out with soap -

A few decades ago, shoving a mouthful of soap after hearing your kid utter a few curse words was standard practice. In today's world, this would be seen as abusive.

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Threatening corporal punishment -

Only a few decades ago, even parents who never laid a hand on their kids would threaten to do so. Today's parents find this inhumane, and rightfully so.

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Avoiding being affectionate -

Back in the day, some parents and medical professionals were against hugging and kissing their children. Thankfully, this mentality has changed.

Sources: (Social Science & Medicine) (Insider) (PureWow) (Best Life)

See also: Parenting styles and how they affect children

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