We’ve all seen the Twitter accounts and BuzzFeed articles about the '90s. Being a '90s kid was awesome. School was fun because of Scholastic book fairs, playing Seven Up when the teacher finished the lesson plan early, and, let's not forget, gym class. Butt scooters were the sh*t … that is until you got your fingers caught. And how cool were parachute days? That was when the gym teacher brought a huge parachute that everyone held onto. We took turns running under it before it deflated. It’s childhood memories like this that make being a '90s kid awesome.
Days were spent outside with the kids next door. You saw your parents when you were either hungry or tired. No privacy existed because house phones had cords that could only go so far.
Instead of usernames we had backpacks monogrammed with our first names. We acknowledged our favorite boy bands by buying school supplies with their faces all over them or purchasing their HitClips. Our bedrooms were filled with booklets of our CD collections, battery-operated CD players and closets full of clothing from Limited Too.
Most importantly, being a '90s kid meant you grew up before technology expanded. There were limited distractions. When your parents picked you up from school, you actually talked to them about your school day. Later, when you did your homework on the kitchen counter as your mom made dinner, conversation was easy. Family trips were about spending time with each other. Pictures were taken for private family albums and the Christmas card.
I’m not sure I can say this about everyone, but I had limits on my Gameboy use which later turned into my Tamagotchi use. Electronics were only given to my sister and me after we finished our homework and had to be put away well before bedtime.
I’m thankful I grew up in the '90s because things were simple. Society actually wanted me to be a kid and stay a kid. There was no rush to grow up. Instead of making my life seem cool on social media, it actually was cool. Seeing how far technology has come has made me appreciate my childhood and how I grew up, before it became what it is today.
I learned how to communicate with others effectively with no distractions. I learned patience from rewinding the VCR tape every time I wanted to re-watch a movie. I learned true friendship meant giving your prettiest Polly Pocket (and the convertible car) to the friends you're playing with.
Nowadays, society makes children want to rush through their childhood instead of appreciating it. In fact, it seems appreciation goes out the window. It’s constantly wanting the latest iPhone and not realizing the sacrifices parents have to make to get that for their child. When I was a kid, I got in fights with my friends over what Cheetah Girl I was when playing make-believe. Today, kids are fighting over how many iPad chargers they have.
Technology takes away the conversations earlier generations had with their parents. With children turning to the Internet, they lose precious family memories and stories, as well as an ability to become closer with their parents.
Younger generations need to realize growing up quickly isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Being on social media platforms at an early age can hinder the ability to effectively communicate. Technology could make us fear face-to-face encounters because of the comfort we feel behind our phones. Connecting with people via social media actually makes you less connected. You are taking yourself out of the real world to connect in a virtual world.
Growing up, my parents also had limited distractions, which meant they spent their time focused on me and what I was doing. They set an example for me to follow. Today, older generations are also consumed by technology. Parents remain there for their children, but in a different way. Instead of having those family moments, they have the family moments with their Facebook friends. Don’t get me wrong, Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with friends and relatives, but being online takes you out of the moment from being with your children. What does it say when parents lecture their children about staying off their phones during dinner when parents are also on their phones during dinner?
But then again I’m still getting paid $15 an hour to watch your kids play on their iPad, so why should I complain?
