Being a Mum in the 1980s v Today: Some Key Differences

If you grew up in the 1980s and are currently a mum, you have probably noticed some key differences between how you run your home versus what your own mum did back in the day.

Of course, there are plenty of things that 80s mums and 2019 mums have in common, like loving your children and wanting them to be healthy, happy and safe. But in terms of the day-to-day differences, there are plenty of them, including the following.

The 1980s Pregnancy Was Different

The differences between an 80s mummy and a modern-day one started before the little bundle of joy even appeared. When a mum in 1982 found out she was expecting, she might not have had an ultrasound during her pregnancy, unless there was a medical issue the doctors were monitoring.

Even if she found out ahead of time if she was having a boy or a girl, the 80s mum called her own mum and maybe a few close friends on a landline to share the news — she certainly didn’t host a gender reveal party where dozens of her closest friends watched as pink or blue balloons were released from a box.

Playing Was a Lot More Basic

If you grew up in the 1980s you already know this one: you probably had a few good friends on your street, and if they wanted to play with you, they would show up at your door, your mum would call for you and you would head out to explore the neighbourhood.

As Scary Mommy notes, today’s mum is more likely to set up playdates by texting the mums of their kids’ friends and then setting up activities for the kids to do during their time together. The modern-day mums may also spend time together for the duration of said playdate, refereeing arguments and fetching snacks and drinks for their children. In the 80s, getting thirsty or hungry while playing meant sipping water out of your garden hose and pulling an apple off of your friendly neighbour’s tree!

Safety Is More High Tech

It was not unusual for mums 35 years ago to tell their children that they needed to be home by lunchtime and then be pretty much unable to reach them while they were away. No one had mobile phones back then, so unless your mum told you to check in from your friend’s house (again, using a landline), she probably didn’t know where you were at any given moment.

Today, keeping an eye on your children is much different; in most cases, mums can keep tabs on their kids’ whereabouts through their smartphones. Also, if your kids are old enough to be home alone, you can now keep an eye on them through the help of a home security camera system and an app as well. With the help of a home security app, you can check in on your kids while you are at work or at the shops stocking up — which you have got to admit, really helps to set your mind at ease.

2019 Mums Are Probably More Busy

As Babble.com notes, many modern day mums feel like they are in a constant rush. Growing up, you might recall having last-minute get-togethers with your neighbours at the local park or swimming pool; today, this might involve numerous texts and carving out a 60-minute spot in your calendar two weeks from today.

Mums back in the 1980s didn’t seem to be as chronically overscheduled as the 2019 mum — of course they were busy with work and kids, but they probably weren’t taking everyone to tons of extracurricular events while staying on top of social media and more.

In today’s fast-paced world, mums are busier than ever, juggling work and family responsibilities. Fortunately, there are flexible opportunities like work-from-home jobs for mums on Jooble, that makes it easier for modern mums to balance both. Whether you’re looking to return to work or simply seeking a new opportunity, these roles offer the flexibility that 1980s mums could only dream of.

Which Era Is Better? There Are Pros and Cons to Each

Clearly, the 1980s mum was different in many ways than the 2019 version. As for which one is better, it really depends. Yes, the 1980s may have been a simpler time, but technology has really helped modern mums to stay in touch with their kids, which is not a bad thing. Again, both generations of mums love their children with all of their hearts — the 2019 mum just has a few more tools in her belt to get through her busy days.

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