Parenting Then and Now: Recent Episodes
Samantha Kemp-Jackson
Were the "good old days" really so good? Was parenting easier back in the day or is that just an illusion? What about being a kid? Was it better then...or now? That's what I'm on a mission to find out in my new podcast, Parenting Then and Now. Join me on this strange trip, won't you?
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.
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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.
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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.
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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/
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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.
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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.
When Nora McInerny suffered a miscarriage, lost her father to cancer then suffered the loss of her husband, Aaron, to a brain tumor all within weeks of each other, she had a decision to make: fall apart or deal with it. She chose the latter, and, although it took some time, made her the unique and enlightened person that she is today.
Who knew that there was a time in the future where "developing" pictures was no longer a thing? In the blink of an eye and with a digital snap of a button, selfies, landscapes and family images could be captured, viewed saved - or deleted - in an instant.
Before the digital age and smartphones, taking a physical roll of film to the photo development store added to the anticipation and eventual joy - or disappointment - in seeing our images from previous days (or weeks) finally revealed.
Julie Cole knows all about parenting.
Raised in the 70's and 80's, this mother of six who has taken the wise words and advice of her Irish Catholic grandmother and used this knowledge to become the amazing parent that she is today.
Julie's childhood was largely influenced by not only her grandmother, but her parents, her siblings and her close-knit family structure that informed how she would one day become Superwoman extraordinaire.
In this episode of the PTAN podcast, Julie discusses her childhood, how it affected her, the importance of treating your children as individuals and so much more.
Before cellphones, texting and digital technology in general, there was a quaint thing called a "phone booth." Conveniently installed on most roads and streets in many cities, both urban and rural, these relics from the past provided a connection to our loved ones, our friends and more.
Phone booths also served many other purposes, not the least of which was a place for Clark Kent to conveniently change into Superman; a place where one could take shelter from an unexpected storm, and a place that one could go to just get away from that irritating person that one just didn't want to see.
With the advent of mobile technology, the decline of the phone booth and the stationary pay phone was to be expected; sadly the phone booth's presence in society is missed in a much hurried time when all calls seem to be made on the go, and perhaps worse - without privacy.
When Amber Mac was growing up in Prince Edward Island, the world was her oyster. An idyllic childhood that included lots of free time to play outside, to explore and to not be distracted by technology allowed the young girl to thrive in her environment.
As an adult, Amber MacArthur - "Amber Mac" - is an author, technology expert, frequent speaker, commentator, digital consultant and content creator among many things. And while Amber is the go-to person for all things tech, she, like all of us, must grapple with the effect of technology and its use on her nine-year-old son.
In this episode of the podcast, we talk about Amber's childhood, her career in technology and how the changes in technology advances have affected children today.
Back in the day, a set of encyclopedias in the family home was a sight to behold. For those of us who grew up in the pre-Wikipedia, pre-Google days, both kids and adults had to consult with what now seems incredibly archaic: a set of books with static information inside that provided us with what was then the most “up to date” information on a subject or item.
Jacki Yovanoff grew up in the most conventional of families. She went to Catholic school, her father worked outside the home and her mother stayed home with Jacki and her younger brother while the kids were young. Jackie completed high school, went to university, got married and had kids, "just like she was supposed to do."
After many years and in a complete shift from the familial structure of her childhood, Jacki found happiness and contentment in a polyamorous relationship and continues to live her truth with her family that includes her two children from her first marriage and her partner's children as well.
In this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jackie, who is a sex and relationship coach as well as a sexuality educator, about changing family structures, growing up in the 80s within a conventional family structure, and much more.
Every decade had its group of heartthrobs and the '90s was no different. The “boy band” genre can be traced back to the 1950’s Doo-Wop bands, through the 60’s (the Beatles could be considered the “boy band” of the decade) and into the 1970’s, an era that produced such memorable groups as the Jackson 5 and the Osmonds.
After a brief break during the 80's, boy bands came back with a vengeance in the 1990's when the genre peaked with such recognizable groups as The Backstreet Boys, Hansen, NSync and New Kids on the Block.
For more PTAN Retro Memories, visit the show's Retro Memory page on the website here.
Maria Lianos Carbone found that being a new mother in the mid-2000's was very different from her experience satching her mother raise Maria and her siblings many years prior. The child of Greek immigrants, Maria grew up with the perspective that women who eventually become new mothers are "naturally" able to handle it all. When Maria gave birth to her own children, her experience was very different, and the stress of new motherhood was marked by a bout of postpartum depression (PPD). In this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast, Maria discusses her experience in relation to her upbringing, how she got through the fog of PPD, and the effect of social media on new parents (it's not positive). Maria's book - "Oh Baby: A Mother's Self-Care Survival Guide For the First Year" provides tips and practical advice for new moms, based on Maria's firsthand experience.
Vicky Sanderson came of age in the 60's, admired strong female role models in the 70's and 80's, and became a Lifestyle, Home and Decor expert in the 90's and beyond. This was done all while raising four kids and making sure that each of them learned the importance of gender equality and activism.
Learning from her first role model - her own mother - Vicky learned that a woman's place was not just in the home, but wherever she wanted it to be, and that in spite of societal dictates of the time that relegated many women to narrow career possibilities, one could still make a difference in the world.
In this episode of the podcast, Vicky and Sam discuss these topics and more, including the rise of gender reveal parties, open concept design and smart home technology.
"Business up front, party in the back!"
That's how the classic 1980's and early 90's hairstyle, The Mullet has been described.
The popular harido consisted of short, cropped and some would say conservatively-coiffed locks around the forehead and over the ears, and a flowing cascade of locks that started behind the ears and continued on as long as the wearer wanted. Curly hair, straight hair, wavy hair, frizzy hair - this style was worn by people with all textured hair, indiscriminately.
Popular Mullets include David Bowie and Paul McCartney in the 70's, and in the style's heyday of the 80's and early 90's one can't help but envision Billy Ray Cyrus and Michael Bolton sporting their famously-styled locks.
The hairstyle did eventually go out of style (thankfully) but on some occasions, one is often surprised to see the 'do crop up in the most unexpected of places.
Casey Palmer knows a thing or two about raising kids in the digital age. Growing up in the 80's and 90's, Casey understands the Millennial mindset perhaps better than most. He's one busy guy, as evidenced by his ubiquitous social media presence and the ability to seemingly appear everywhere. Not only is he a father to two young boys, but as a blogger extraordinaire, Influencer and general man-about-town, Casey has figured out the secret sauce to raising kids in an age of Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram.
When a child sees that their father is out there, they, inevitably want to be out there too, right? That's okay - Case P. is one step ahead of the curve, and his ingenious plan for organically easing his kids into the online and digital world in which they'll inevitably reside is both prescient and brilliant.
In this episode of the podcast, we talk about Casey's childhood, growing up as the oldest of three boys, sons of Jamaican immigrant parents; the important lessons that his parents taught him during the various stages of his youth, and his perspective on many things, not the least of which kids and technology, online bullying and what he has coming down the pipes next.
Precious Chong knows all about drugs, specifically pot. How could she not? After all, her dad, Tommy Chong is the self-proclaimed "Pope of Dope," counter-culture hero and one half of the famous "Cheech and Chong" duo.
Growing up in the 80's at the height of her dad's fame, Precious was exposed to the cannabis culture from a young age, with parents who didn't shy away from the discussion. While she ironically doesn't smoke pot herself, she learned very early that being open and honest with kids about the subject is the best way to open up a two-way dialogue.
In this episode of the podcast, Precious sits down with Sam to talk about what it was like to be the daughter of a parent who was comfortable with the subject of weed, of how the drug culture has changed over the years, and how parents can talk to their kids about this touchy subject.
John Catucci grew up in an Italian household where food was an important part of family life. As a first-generation Italian-Canadian, John's love of food started in the kitchen, with his father, who taught him the ins and outs of a good home-cooked, Italian meal.
It's no surprise that John went on to become a food connoisseur of sorts, through his love of dining out and via stint as the host of The Food Network's "You Gotta Eat Here."
In this episode of the PTAN Podcast, Sam sits down with John and talks about his love of food, his first experience with Kraft Dinner and the pros and cons of Nutella.
Platform shoes are, perhaps, the defining fashion statement of the 1970's. While they were often uncomfortably high, clunky and in many cases downright ugly, men, women, children and rock stars continued to wear them because they were, after all, groovy.
It's all about quality over quantity. This is what Doug and Joe have figured out as two single dads who are navigating the world of parenting as effectively and efficiently as possible. In this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast, Sam speaks with Doug and Joe about their best advice, tips and strategies for solo parenting, which they also share with listeners on their podcast, Life Hacks For Single Dads.
Raising kids in a rapidly changing world has always been a challenge, but perhaps not as much as it is today. At least that's what comedian Charlie Demers is finding as he navigates fatherhood with his four-year-old daughter.
One-half Anglophone, one-half Francophone with a Chinese-Canadian wife and a daughter who is the most Canadian of them all, Charlie's view on raising kids in a scary political time is both humorous and insightful.
On this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast, Charlie imparts his knowledge on the subject and discusses how he came to record his latest album, Fatherland, which addresses parenting in today's changing times.
Ever wonder how Barbie came to be?
She was the brainchild of an enterprising American mom who, in the late '50's, visited Germany and fell in love with a doll that was modeled after a real-life adult. Unlike the standard children's dolls that were sold in 1950's America, "Bild Lilli" looked like a woman in every way.
After returning to the United States, Ruth Handler and her husband worked to make an American version of the doll, and named their new creation "Barbie" after their daughter, Barbara. The rest is history.
Whatever happened to Home Economics and Shop classes?
Once upon a time, they were the norm, not the exception, and kids came away from school knowing how to cook, sew, build and repair. Not so much these days, when it's easier to relegate chores to others, or to pay someone to make meals, clean and fix things around the house (or outside the house, like our car).
There's something to be said for being self-reliant. Take a trip down memory lane with this edition of the PTAN Retro Memory that reminds us about the virtues of Home Economics and Shop classes .
We're all just trying to get by, aren't we? Most of us - whether we're parents of younger kids, older kids, or observers of kids in general, would agree that trying to keep it together while raising a family is a tough gig.
Why, then, are parents increasingly told that they must follow what appear to be arbitrary and often unnecessary rules in order for their kids to participate in school, or life in general?
In this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast, we tackle these and other questions with mother of three, writer and blogger, Rebecca Cuneo Keenan. Rebecca has a refreshing, comical and realistic perspective on parenthood and raising kids in today's rapidly-changing world. A child of the '80's, she watched the world change to where its' become a place where many of what used to be standard practices regarding child-rearing, are now viewed with suspicion. Rebecca challenges this new normal and has a lively and humourous chat with Sam in the process.
She was crowned the unwanted title of "World's Worst Mom" when she decided to let her nine-year-old son ride the New York subway alone back in 2008. And while Lenore Skenazy was surprised by the reaction to what she felt was an important step towards independence for her son, she didn't let the backlash stop her.
Seizing the opportunity to discuss her disdain for society's increasingly protective stance as parents, Lenore founded Free Range Kids, a site that showcases the extreme lengths that we've gone to through "helicopter parenting." A fierce advocate of free range parenting and unstructured play, Lenore is a frequent speaker on the subject in an effort to help all of us shed our fears of letting our kids be kids. In 2017, she co-founded the Let Grow project as the latest step in her quest to help parents and educators pull back the reins on helicopter parenting.
Before Netflix was the go-to digital destination for movies, there was this quaint thing called “The Video Store.” The Friday and Saturday night ritual for many of us included a trip to this now-extinct locale, a place where rows and rows of physical videos – via the now defunct technology known as VHS tapes – promised a night of romantic comedy, blood-curdling horror or, for the less adventurous, good old family fun. It seems quaint now, going to a physical location to pick up movies on VHS or later via DVD, but going to these stores was a big part of the fun, anticipating the weekend with the promise of a good flick or two, recommended by the friendly clerk behind the counter.
When Stewart Reynolds (aka "Brittlestar") was a kid, he used to amuse himself by making radio plays via his tape recorder and imagination.
How times have changed.
The Internet's Favourite Dad - who himself has been a viral video star in his own right - has seen the shift from when he was a kid, growing up in the '70's and entertaining himself with what now appear to be low-tech" tools, to seeing social media as the norm, not the exception, to how kids communicate. Entertainment via Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Snapchat, to name a few, is a very long way away from watching the tube in the 1970's and being entertained by the Krofft Supershow.
And if the title of this show confuses you, have no fear, click here.
Ferris Bueller was every teen's hero back in 1986, and his smooth yet deceptive style got him both the car and the girl, and not necessarily in that order. His irreverent attitude, wily ways and his ability to keep one step ahead of his parents and teachers gave him teen "hero" status that continues to this day.
When a life-changing loss occurred, Jennifer Powell took a long, hard look at her life. Realizing that tomorrow is never promised to us and all we have is today, she knew that the time was now to live out her and her family's dreams. Having always wanted to travel the world, Jen, her husband and kids made the collective decision to live our their dreams and to follow their hearts. With a bit of trepidation but even more anticipation and excitement, they sold their house, packed up their remaining items and set forth towards an incredible and unforgettable experience that would change their lives forever. Over eight months, Jen and her family traveled across six continents and through 21 countries. Their experiences while abroad were both life-changing and inspiring.
In this episode of the Parenting Then and Now podcast, listen to Jen's reasons for taking the bull by the horns and for living out her dreams, how her childhood growing up with an adventurous parent shaped her world views on parenting today, and how her husband and kids adapted to traveling the world and living the nomadic lifestyle so different from what they were used to.
How are you feeling today?
In 1975, all it took to find out the answer to this question was a quick glance at a person's ring finger.
Like its ‘70’s counterpart the Pet Rock, "Mood Rings" burst onto the jewelry scene, enticing those who wanted to know how they - and people they cared about - were feeling at any given moment. Containing a thermochromic element such as liquid crystal, Mood Rings changed colour based on the body temperature of the person wearing the ring.
The initial price of the jewelry was $45 which also included a “mood chart” that one could consult to find out how they were feeling, based on the ring’s colour. As you can imagine, this magical "ability" of the ring soon made it the must-have item of the year.
At the height of their popularity, $1 million worth of Mood Rings were sold within a three month period, with famous fans of the jewelry item including such high-profile icons as Sophia Loren, Barbara Streisand and many others.
And while the novelty of the rings wore off over time, their lasting image as one of the benchmarks of an era – the 1970’s – continues on today.
Things sure have changed for kids in the past 30-40 years. Ditto for parents. Life seemed easier and less threatening back in the day.
Children could be latchkey kids and that was fine. Parents let their sons and daughters play outside without much fear of danger. Toys were sometimes unsafe, but parents bought them for their kids anyway.
Why?
And why, in the past few decades, was there a sudden shift towards fear regarding all things child-related? What happened?
In this episode of Parenting Then and Now, Sam seeks to find the answers to these and other questions through her chat with Dr. Sean Hayes, a Clinical Psychologist who consults with a variety of businesses and organizations about how and why these societal shifts have occurred.
There was a time when entertainment wasn't "on demand." With no 24/7 digital content, YouTube or Netflix, kids had to get their viewing kicks via an archaic yet much-loved activity: waking up early to watch cartoons on a Saturday morning.
The fun and festivities often began before the sun rose, as intrepid and eager children hunkered down to get their fix of their favourite TV characters.
With the advent of digital technology and the popularity of the Internet, there became no need to schedule TV-watching any longer. Sadly, kids were able to watch whenever they wanted, eliminating the need to wake up early in anticipation of their favourite shows.
Image courtesy of Warner Brothers/Leon Schlesinger Productions
Married at age 19, directly out of high school, Karen Finocchio, aka "One Tough Muther," had four children by the age of 28. By the age of 30, she chose to leave the marriage and became a divorced single mother to three young sons ages 4, 7 and 9 years old and a 2-year-old daughter. In a blink of an eye, Karen went from living around the world as a military wife to living in two rooms in her parent’s home with four children and a dog.Karen Finocchio, aka "One Tough Muther"
She could have been a statistic, but through hard work, perseverance and a positive outlook, Karen became the success that few could only dream of being. Today, Karen helps women around the world find their true path, and provides advice and support to others as part of her #OTM tribe. Listen to this episode of Parenting Then and Now where Karen explains what it was like raising kids as a single parent in the '80's, her advice for parents today, and how she remains both successful yet grounded.
In the latter part of the 1990's the Spice Girls, a London-based "girl group," tore up the charts around the world with their smash hit, "Wannabe." Proclaiming "girl power" for females young and old, the group went on to global success and by the end of the decade, had become the fastest selling British act since the Beatles. And although the band went on indefinite hiatus at the beginning of the '00's, the band continues to influence female pop groups and individual singers, such as Adele, who credit the Spice Girls as an inspiration.
A simple toy, so basic in its construction, became one of the most defining fads of the 1950's.
Originally created by Arthur K. Melin and Richard Knerr, the hula hoop craze took full effect in the late 1958 when Wham-O, a toy company in California, created a plastic version for the general public to enjoy. Through smart marketing to women, men, kids and basically anyone who wanted to give them a spin, hula hoops became all the rage in 1958. By the end of the year, 25 million of them were sold and by 1960, sales reached in excess of 100 million units. For more information, images and video, visit www.ptanpodcast.com and click on "Retro Memories."
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In this episode of Parenting Then and Now, the creator and host of the popular The New Family Podcast, Brandie Weikle, joins Sam to discuss changes to family life, parenting, kids and expectations both then - and now.
Brandie provides some sage advice derived from her many interviews with a variety of different families as part of her podcast, and discusses her thoughts on structured and unstructured play, childhood responsibility and more.
Who would have thought that by packaging some rocks in a cardboard box with holes, and providing an "instruction manual" for the care and maintenance of said rocks, that one California entrepreneur would become a millionaire in a few short months? Listen to this episode of the PTAN Retro Memory for details on the "Pet Rock" craze that hit the marketplace just in time for Christmas in 1975.
For more information, pictures and video, visit www.ptanpodcast.com and click on "Retro Memories."
In this episode of Parenting Then and Now, Technology Expert, Author and Media Personality Marc Saltzman joins Sam to provide his thoughts on how tech has changed throughout the years, particularly with family and kids.
Marc talks about the changes in how we consume media and how kids and teens in particular have a natural advantage and understanding of how to use various media to enhance and augment their lives through social and digital media.
On this week's PTAN Retro Memory, we're remembering "Clackers." Two glass balls that kids are supposed to smash together at high speeds. What on earth could go wrong?
This week's PTAN Retro Memory discusses the Cabbage Patch Kids craze of the early-to-mid '80's. At the end of the decade, the dolls brought in over $2 billion in sales.
Stand-up Comedienne, Scriptwriter, and general funny gal Joanne O'Sullivan joins Sam in a conversation that goes from funny to serious to funny again all on the same show. Joanne's unique experience in having lost her mother at the tender age of six is reflected in the eyes of her own daughter, Eliza, and Joanne's wisdom and reflections on her experience make this a show that you won't want to miss!
In this inaugural episode of the PTAN Podcast, Sam speaks with Jackie Morgan MacDougall, mother of three and Producer, Digital Content Creator, Podcaster and general powerhouse. They discuss growing up in the '70's, the air of being "free" as a kid, and the difference in how she's raising her kids now, compared to her Boston upbringing.
Were the "good old days" really so good? Was parenting easier back in the day or is that just an illusion? What about being a kid? Was it better than...or now? That's what I'm on a mission to find out in my new podcast, Parenting Then and Now. Join me, won't you?