Parenting
The ’70s-Style Parenting Approach by Emma Johnson
Updated: July 29, 2016
Originally Published: April 8, 2005
One afternoon, I entered the bathroom and noticed the lid was down—a measure my youngest had taken to “keep the cats safe from drowning in the toilet.” When I lifted the lid, I was startled by a burst of vivid color, initially mistaking it for an imminent spider attack. It turned out to be a large, green sticker from Killington Mountain, lending my toilet the aesthetic of a college dorm or a quirky mall restroom.
My eldest daughter entered, beaming with pride. “Do you like it?” she asked.
In raising my daughters, I’ve aimed to cultivate what I refer to as a “’70s-style” childhood. They express themselves with chalk on the garage floor and adorn the stair railing with ribbons. Our backyard features a fort, a space for their creative exploration, filled with items that might normally be considered trash, yet serve as imaginative treasures. We embrace spontaneity, repurposing leftover gift ribbons and the peculiar molds that accompany Amazon packages.
While we strive for some degree of organization to avoid complete chaos, my husband and I have designated areas in our home that are meant to remain somewhat free from the clutter of childhood. We have bins for shoes and specific spots for backpacks and homework. Chores like matching socks and washing dishes occasionally get tackled. Like many families, we are continually evolving.
Though this approach may not suit everyone, the ’70s-style parenting has proven effective for us. We may embrace a bit more mess and bend a few more rules than some might find comfortable, but this lifestyle allows my daughters the freedom to explore and unleash their creativity, while enabling my husband and me to relax and refrain from rigidly enforcing rules that none of us are particularly inclined to follow. After over a decade of parenting, we’ve learned that sometimes it’s best to go with the flow.
Things We Don’t Stress About
Here are a few things we’ve chosen not to stress about, which might be points of contention for other parents:
- Glitter
This took some time to embrace. Initially, my husband resisted it, but glitter has become the ultimate craft ingredient and a guaranteed remedy for sisterly disputes. The mere suggestion of a glitter project is met with enthusiastic cheers. - Unmade Beds
Life is simply too short to spend three minutes making a bed each day. An unmade bed becomes all the more impressive after a few days of neglect. - Towels on the Floor
This issue pertains to just one of our three daughters, so when I discover discarded towels, I take it as a gentle reminder to bathe our pets. - Writing on Mirrors
Since no one else uses our upstairs bathroom, I don’t mind if it resembles a backseat window after a long car trip with a dog. I welcome the “I love you” messages that appear on the mirror after each shower. - LEGO Clusters
If there are LEGO sets strewn in the corners of every staircase, it signifies that my girls are engaged in imaginative play. Their attempts to keep them in corners show they’re at least trying to avoid injury.
As for the sticker that initially caused me alarm, I look forward to sharing the story of how our toilet became adorned with “The Beast” one day. Yes, we decided to leave it there.
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Summary
In this article, Emma Johnson discusses her unique approach to parenting, which embraces creativity and freedom while maintaining some structure. She highlights the importance of allowing children to express themselves and the joys of not sweating the small stuff, like glitter and unmade beds. This style fosters an environment where children can explore their creativity, while parents can relax and enjoy the journey of raising their kids.
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