Parenting Then and Now

Every Gen-Xer who watched TV knows the words to the limited script: Boy 1: “What's this stuff?” Boy 2: “Some cereal. It''s supposed to be good for you.” Boy 1: “Are you gonna try it? Boy 2: “I'm not gonna try it. YOU try it!” Boy 1: “I'm not gonna try it.” [enter lightbulb moment/stroke of genius here] Boy 2: “I know! Let's get Mikey!” Boy 1: “He won't eat it. He hates everything.” Camera pans to Mikey, who has been given the unwanted bowl of cereal. Mikey, completely unawares, starts eating and doesn't stop. Boy 1: “He likes it!! Hey Mikey!!” Cue voiceover with a call to action about how Life Cereal is good or you, etc. Never again could four words in simple succession immediately become the catch-phrase of the era. You can read the full post here: He Likes It! Hey Mikey!

There were some really good theme songs for the cheesy 70s TV shows we used to watch, weren't there? Sanford and Son, Welcome Back Kotter, The Partridge Family... Depending on who you ask, some of these opening tunes were better than others. Regardless of which ones you liked best, it's safe to say that they were all pretty catchy. Remember? Visit the full post here to watch and listen to each show's opening theme and segment: The Top 10 TV Show Theme Songs From the 1970s Subscribe to Living in the Past so that you never miss another reminder of your Gen X experience: http://livinginthepast.substack.com  

  "Quiche was, apparently, a no-no, as was expressing emotions, sensitivity and romance. According to the societal edict of the time, men were to eat lots of meat, participate in “masculine” activities and wear only rugged and “manly” clothing. These proscribed directives were to be followed, no questions asked. That is, if you really were a man of the era." You can read the full post and subscribe here: https://livinginthepast.substack.com/p/real-men-didnt-eat-quiche-in-the

When we look at pictures and videos of people in the past - say the 50s, 60s and 70s - don't you find that they look a lot older than people of the same age now? Why is that? What are the reasons that a 15-year-old in 1972 looks so much older than a teen of the same age today? What the heck is going on?? To see pictures of celebrities from the past who looked so much older than they really were, check out the corresponding post called "Did People in the Past Look Older?" on http://livinginthepast.substack.com

There was a time in the 1970s when you couldn't live life without the possibility of a naked person gracing your line of sight. Often, it was funny. Other times it wasn't. Either way, it was always absurd. Read this post and subscribe to Living In The Past or more Gen X memories.

  When Uber was just a twinkle in the 21st Century's eye, there was a similarly efficient way of getting around. And parents everywhere worried about it.  

There was a time when no plans were made until the TV Guide was consulted. Remember?

What's in a name? A whole lot. Read on: Would Jennifer, Lisa or Melissa Please Stand Up? Subscribe to the Living in the Past Newsletter here.  

  In case you weren't aware, there was a TV show that reminded you - weekly. Read on: Lifestyles You Will Never Achieve Subscribe to the Living in the Past Newsletter here.

"Burn, baby burn!" And boy, did we ever. Read on: Metal Slides and Sunshine Don't Mix Subscribe to the Living in the Past Newsletter here.

A pre-Uber memory. Read on: Hitchin' a Ride Subscribe to the Living in the Past Newsletter here.

...was the back seat. Remember? Read on: The Best Seat Subscribe to the Living in the Past Newsletter here.

I know we won't go back again. Read on: Leaving on a Jet Plane Subscribe to the Living in the Past Newsletter here.

And there were many. Read on: Brand New Key(s)   Subscribe to the Living in the Past Newsletter here.

  When I was young I listened to the radio, waiting for my favourite songs... Read on: Every Sha-La-La-La  Subscribe to the Living in the Past Newsletter here.

  Jiffy Pop Popcorn was a lie. A scam. And we fell for it. Read on... Burnt Popcorn and Broken Dreams

Hi everyone! It's me – Sam. A blast from the past, I'm sure you're thinking. Yes – this is the podcast feed for the Parenting Then and Now Podcast and yes, you're in the right place. You will probably be seeing a new cover art for the feed, and a new name: Living in the Past. This short update  is to let you know where I've been and why the podcast is evolving.   If you're still here, you've likely noticed that I haven't posted a new PTAN episode in almost two years. We know what's been going on in the world since April 2020 – COVID being the biggest change, but lots of other social and political upheavals as well.   That being said, yes – those realities factored into the silence from this side of the mike, but that wasn't the only reason. Truth be told, I realized that I'd evolved beyond the Parenting side of PTAN as my kids are now much older than when I started in 2017, and I'm not looking at parenting the same way. What has remained, however, and what has been consistent from the start of the podcast, has been my obsession – yes, obsession with things way back when. I think a lot about the past, living in the past, and who things were when I was younger. That was one of the reasons behind the original podcast, and that obsession remains. Now, however, I am only focusing on the specific elements of my Generation X memories, without specifically having parenting as a primary focus.Thanks for   So this is a very long way of saying that the Parenting Then and Now Podcast has evolved into the Living in the Past podcast. About a year ago, I started a new site on Substack called Living in the Past, and on it, I am writing all about Gen X-related stuff, memories, and life as it was growing up in the 70s and 80s. I record each post that is dropped as a podcast, and that is now the feed that you can hear by subscribing. As I continue writing on my site, I plan to do interviews related to various topics from “the past” similar to the Parenting Then and Now Podcast, but the whole idea of parenting as the basis of the podcast won't be the focus.   In other words, I'm still talking about “then and now,” but doing so as an adult remembering another time.   Thanks for keeping me in your feed and I do hope that you'll continue on with me on this journey. Please subscribe to my newsletter at http://livinginthepast.substack.com to receive each new update, article and more good stuff that's coming soon.   Thanks for your support and let's go! Sam

When Marci Warhaft says she understands challenges, she's not kidding. The author of The Good Stripper tears off the mask of shame that she felt for so long and reveals the lessons she learned when life came at her fast. To buy her book, click here: The Good Stripper Check out her site Fit vs. Fiction Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

With COVID-19 on the minds of us all, it can't be easy being a family doctor dealing with both physical and emotional stresses. Dr. Deborah Gilboa - also known as "Dr G." has provided medical and mental health supports to families who are challenged living through a pandemic. Dr. G's insightful and practical perspective on resilience and it's function as a tool for healing and positivity have made all of the difference to her patients. For  more on Dr. G, visit her website at http://askdrg.com To buy Dr. G's books here: Get the Behavior You Want... Without Being the Parent You Hate!: Dr. G's Guide to Effective Parenting Teach Resilience: Raising Kids Who Can Launch Teach Respect: That's My Kid! Teach Responsibility: Empower Kids with a Great Work Ethic  

Growing up in an Italian-Canadian household, Maria Manna learned early how to be responsible and to persevere. Yet nothing could have prepared her for the painful parenting challenges that she experienced later on. From the darkness to the light, Maria lived, loved and learned and now teaches others how to find the light in their own lives. For more on Maria, visit her Wikipedia page. Get Maria's music on Amazon here: Maria Manna - With Love

Back in the day, anticipation was the name of the game. Kids had to wait - and that was a good thing. Now, in the age of instant gratification, the waiting game is a distant memory.

There was a time when the day ended. Those times themselves ended with the advent of digital technology and 24/7 communication. This essay recalls life before constant notifications and information overload were regular occurrences. To read this essay online, go to I Wish it Were 1978 Just For One Day   To follow Sam on Medium, visit this link.

Jann Arden had experienced much in her life, but nothing prepared her for the experience of becoming the primary caregiver for her elderly mother. As Alzheimer’s disease took hold, Arden did her best to deal with the changes to the mother-daughter relationship that she had cherished for so long. While her mom’s health declined, Jann realized that she had to shift gears: no longer was she the child; now she had become the parent. In “Feeding My Mother,” her bestselling book, the award-winning singer, actor and broadcaster recounted her journey to acceptance of her role, and the inevitability that dementia presents to loved ones. On this episode of the Parenting Then and Now Podcast, Jann reveals the lessons learned from her care-giving journey and how it changed her life forever.

Natasha Solovieff was a child of the 50s and a woman who came of age in the 60s, giving her a unique perspective on parenting. She lived through major societal shifts including feminism and the redefinition of women’s roles in the 70’s. As a result, she had many more choices than her mother and previous generations of women. Her own decision to become a parent at a later age came after actively choosing her profession as a nurse. On this episode of the Parenting Then and Now Podcast, Natasha discusses societal shifts and changes in expectations for women, men, mothers and more. Visit Natasha's website here. Buy Natasha's book here.

And not a microwave in sight...   Read this essay on Medium here: Memories of Low-Tech Popcorn Follow Sam on Medium HERE.

It's all about the "then and now" around here. Introducing the Parenting Then and Now Podcast Essays. This is where more memories of times gone by are recalled by Sam, the PTAN Podcast host. Check out the PTAN Podcast Essays page HERE. Follow Sam on Medium HERE.

In the 60's and 70's, men's facial hair saw its peak, and groovy dudes rocked sideburns like they were nobody's business. On this PTAN Retro Memory, we recall the days when Mutton Chops ruled and shaving was optional. For more Retro Memories and episodes, check out the PTAN Podcast website. --- Follow the Parenting Then and Now Podcast on Facebook here Follow the show on Twitter here Follow Sam on Twitter here  

Amanda Muse didn't plan to become an ex-pat. She was busy living her life when she met her pilot husband, fell in love, got married and packed up and moved to Malaysia.  Her experience living on the other side of the world, giving birth and raising kids there, and her return to Canada is the basis of this episode of the Parenting Then and Now Podcast. Amanda discusses how her childhood prepared her for this life-changing decision, and how she credits her grandparents for giving her the love of travel. Check out Amanda on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and via her podcast, The Sandwich.

Broadcast personality Taylor Kaye learned early on that "the hustle" was what would lead to success. As a child, she watched her mother work full-time and seamlessly perfect her side hustle that helped to put her three kids into extra-curricular lessons. As an adult, Taylor took those lessons and applied them to her life, resulting in her current success. Broadcaster, speaker, host and more - including the mom of "The Special Kayes'" Taylor sits down with Sam to discuss parenting, life and everything else, then and now.

In the 1960's life was free and hair was big. Just take a look at some of the icons of the era: Jackie Kennedy, Priscilla Presley, Bridget Bardot. "The higher the better" was the battle cry as women tangle and teased their locs into gravity-defying styles. Those were the days. --- Join the Parenting Then and Now Facebook Page HERE Become a member of the Parenting Then and Now Patreon group HERE

When Robert Adhoot was growing up in Maryland, he knew early on about the importance of studying and doing well in school. His immigrant parents, who had moved to the United States from Iran, had instilled the work ethic common to new citizens who wanted to make sure that their kids thrived in their new home. Robert had a particular interest in math and numbers, and went on to study and eventually teach the discipline. Early on, however, he realized that he needed to impart his knowledge in an unconventional way in order to get the maximum engagement and interest from his students. On a whim, he decided to mix it up in class, and quickly learned that his unconventional teaching style resonated with his students. Shortly after that, he founded Yay Math, and hasn’t looked back since. On this episode of the podcast, Robert joins Sam to discuss his childhood, growing up, kids today and their views of studying and education, technology, distraction and so much more.  **Become a PTAN Podcast Patreon Member for exclusive content and more. Visit http://patreon.com/PTANPodcast to join**

The test pattern was once the image that you didn’t want to see on your television screen. Often indicating the end of the programming day or the beginning of problems - “Please stand by” - the Test pattern was recognizable to television lovers everywhere. As times changed, analogue changed to digital and 24/7 news cycles and cable news channels took over, the test pattern was relegated to the annals of our minds as a distant memory of a simpler time.

Tai Poole is a curious 11-year-old boy who has lots of questions. So many, as a matter of fact, that he needed a podcast in order to get some answers. The star of the “Tai Asks Why” podcast on CBC Radio sits down with Sam on this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast. Listen to the episode and find out what makes him tick.

Once upon a time, the cash register was manually operated. No UPC codes, scanning options or debit transactions, no - the cashier punched in the amounts and rang up the sale. Simple. *For more Parenting Then and Now Retro Memories, visit the website at https://ptanpodcast.com/retro-memories/* *Join the PTAN Podcast Patreon Page for exclusive, behind-the-scenes content and more: https://patreon.com/ptanpodcast*

As the only child of famous feminist writer Erica Jong, Molly-Jong Fast grew up quickly. Life in New York as a kid in the 80’s was interesting, to say the least. Today, she’s a mother of three and her parenting style is drastically different from that of her mother’s. Molly’s perspective and views on parenting, kids and family life have been influenced by her own childhood experience of growing up quickly and being surrounded by adults much of the time. On this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast, Molly reveals her thoughts on childhood, motherhood, fame, values and – yes – politics.  --- **For more Parenting Then and Now Podcast episodes, visit the PTAN Podcast website. **Become a PTAN Podcast patron and get access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content and more at the Parenting Then and Now Patreon Page.

In an age of GPS and asking Siri or Alexa for directions, it's hard to believe that at one time, we relied on paper maps. Cartography and modern-day mapping still exists, however in our day-to-day lives, most of us rely on digital means to find our way. On this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast, we remember maps the way they used to be, and the function that they served so well to those of us who got lost along the way.

Once upon a time, children were children. Kids played, they explored and they imagined worlds and adventures that existed within their minds without the help of digital tools or technology. In a day and age where the concept of “childhood” has forever changed, a nostalgic look at simpler times can perhaps provide us a brief respite from the hurried lifestyle that most of us are living today. On this episode of the Parenting Then and Now Podcast, we recall a time when being a kid was uncomplicated and largely unstructured. When toys were physical, when play was outdoors and the limits to one’s imagination were non-existent.

For many years in earlier times, the transistor radio was the only way to go if you wanted to take your music with you. Before the days of FM radio stations that dedicated hours to playing full albums, the transistor radio provided music over AM radio, and that was fine. During its heyday, the transistor radio could be found everywhere, from beaches to bedrooms. Sadly, the Sony Walkman in the early 80's was a harbinger of the transistor's ultimate demise. http://ptanpodcast.com/retro-memories  

  When Natalie Preddie-Zamojc was a child, her parents took her on many trips to far-reaching locales. Her early exposure to different countries and cultures led her to her career today that includes frequent travel, with family in tow. On this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast, we learn about how one woman’s childhood experiences of family travel impacted her adult life, and how she’s raising her children to be worldwide travelers as well.

Before women’s liberation and the feminist movement of the 70’s, women’s career opportunities were limited. If they were not satisfied being housewives or homemakers, societal norms disallowed them to pursue other avenues. It’s no wonder, then, that when Avon came calling, women answered. This sales method that was based on door-to-door sales became one of the most popular and successful avenues for both women and the company that provided the products.

A surgeon’s sense of order makes a lot of sense. Think about it: everything must have its place in the OR because if not, there could be grave consequences for the patient on the operating table. Clare Kumar learned this truth at a young age, while growing up in a household that was led by her father – a surgeon, and her mother, who had trained as a nurse. On this episode, we learn about how Clare's childhood informed her decision to pursue calm and order in her adult life, how she has become a Productivity Catalyst for both individuals and corporations, and how she helps those who need guidance in living their lives as productively and as stress-free as possible.  

They were big, bulky and the only way to go. Before caller display, the phone book, also known as the telephone directory, was how we found people. No Internet, no Google and certainly no GPS or location based services, this hands on approach - literally - allowed our fingers to do the walking while we perused the tens of thousands of names in the heavy but necessary tome. Found in every household, the telephone book was where we located names, addresses and phone numbers, though no corresponding selfies or social media handles accompanied them. In fact, in these times that predated social Media altogether, we kicked it old school with jut the printed information on the page and guess what ? We were fine.

Growing up in a secular household, Fariha Naqvi wasn't particularly interested in the Muslim religion. Though her parents had been raised in the faith, they no longer practiced and didn't insist that their children followed the religion either. It was only when Fariha was in her last year of high school that she became more intrigued with the faith after meeting a group of strong and inspiring Muslim women. Today, Fariha is an outspoken defender of her faith as well as a journalist who writes about politics, religion, culture and the intersection of all three. On this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast, Sam sits down with Fariha to discuss her childhood, how she's raising her son and daughter in comparison, and her thoughts on representation and religion in society today. Visit Fariha's blog here: Canadian Mom Eh

They were smelly. They were messy. They were cumbersome. And yet, they were the only way that kids in previous decades got their printouts in class. If you are a person of “a certain age,” that smell will bring you back to happier times and memories of messy ink that would cover your skin and clothing after picking up a mimeographed printout.

In the 1970's, the polyester Leisure Suit was THE fashion staple that every stylish man had to have.

  Growing up in Trinidad until the age of 18, Renee Sylvestre Williams had a solid grounding and appreciation for family. She reveled in the company of her various “aunties,” her uncles, her cousins and her neighbours, who lived in her community and who would keep an eye out on her and the other kids – whether they liked it or not. Fast-forward to her late teens, when her and her family moved from the islands to the colder regions of North America. Landing in Toronto, Canada, she was surprised at the differences in parenting, familial relationships, expectations and more.  

  Before 99 cent digital downloads changed our listening habits, we stocked up on 45 RPM singles of our favourite new songs.

Those of us who went to elementary school in another time remember the rite of passage that cursive signified. The lined paper. The strangely-shaped letters. The repetitious copying and practicing of said letters until we got it right. The transition from a pencil to a pen, when our teacher thought that we were ready, and that we had mastered to some degree, the ability to write script. Kids today text, type on laptops and FaceTime. They don't know what they're missing.

Sandra E. Martin was raised in a family where convention was key and changes were few. She grew up in a first-generation Trinidadian family in Toronto in the 80's and learned early on that the expectation was to follow the societal norms which included finding a "good" job, getting married, having kids and not rocking the boat. When life happened for Sandra, she realized that the perfectly proscribed path that was planned out for her was not going to be her destiny, so she wrote her second act and moved forward into the unknown. It all worked out quite well in the end and she has learned a lot about how her childhood informed her views on life and parenting, and how her "second act" today is progressing.

Back in the day, entertainment options were often limited and fairly simple. Film lovers could do the conventional thing - go to a cinema and watch the latest popular flick or they could make another choice. The drive-in movie phenomenon allowed for the viewing of films outdoors, under the stars. This throwback to another time served as not only a venue for entertainment, but for socializing as well.