Recall the times when your parents pushed you to eat the veggies before dessert, even if you whined? Or when they made us wait for pocket money, because “good things come to those who wait”? Life was strict, but those rules had a kind of twisted logic. And some of their old tricks would do us some good even today.
Keeping one quiet hour at home each evening
A lot of parents had a routine, a silent hour. After dinner, they’d switch off the TV, put the phone aside, and sit. There were no set lessons or activities to be squeezed into that hour. Just an hour to enjoy each other’s company, calm, and quiet. A lot of parents report that this hour, this routine, allowed closeness without words or special effort.
And this is still a relevant habit in the 21st century. As a recent article in BMC Psychology reports, face-to-face time with parents that’s a part of the daily routine can help the emotional and social development of children.
Modeling modest living and delaying gratification
Live simply and wait for what you want: a mantra drummed into most of us by parents. Buy less, save first, repair not replace, and think twice before you spend.
Research has shown the benefits of such an approach in terms of increased life satisfaction and life values, as a result of understanding the difference between having a lot of stuff, and having a few good things.
Assigning real household tasks to children early
A lot of our parents expected children to help with household chores like washing dishes, sweeping the floor or making their beds. It wasn’t just to keep a tidy house, back then it was to teach responsibility.
PubMed has studies that prove children who help with “real” household tasks develop higher problem solving skills and self-control. It also helps them learn how to contribute, which builds a sense of belonging and confidence that carries into their adult life.
Family time around the table, with everyone present
Mealtime for many parents was not just about the food on the plate. It was also an opportunity to be with their families. Breakfast or dinner was a time when all family members were gathered together, shared experiences, and listened to each other.
Studies report that shared family meals were a means of nurturing moral character. Family meals also give children a sense of inclusion and a voice, providing a silent anchor for family life (Snuggs & Harvey, 2023).
Turning off screens before bed and real sleep routines
Screens regularly make us want to stay up late these days. Parents some decades ago had a simple routine: no interruptions, lights out, and room used only for sleeping.
Sleep studies demonstrate that routine without interruption and little screen time improves mood and mental performance. Rediscovering this simple habit protects the power of rejuvenation sleep provides in our multitasking world.
Teaching kids how to manage money, even in small ways
In many families, it was normal to give children small amounts of money to use as they saw fit. This showed them that money was worth something, that choices had consequences, and that if you saved, then you could be rewarded.
Research has found that these lessons had a long-term positive effect on people’s financial decisions later in life. The same is true now when children are given the opportunity to manage their own pocket money.
Instilling the idea that you fix your mistakes rather than hiding them
These days it’s common to let things slide and never take responsibility for our mistakes. In many households of the past, there were few opportunities to shirk responsibility. Children were taught to repair what they had broken, apologize when they hurt a person, and accept responsibility.
Studies in parenting show that this combination of love and responsibility contributes to a healthier family environment.
Maintaining a physical “family archive” of photos, letters or things that matter
Before the age of social media, parents compiled photo albums and saved letters and small keepsakes. In our day, the majority of our photographs are now stored on screens that can disappear with a click.
Research shows that tangible reminders of your past help you develop a sense of identity, self-reflection, and resilience. Maintaining even a small family archive can ground you and give you a sense of continuity in a rapidly changing world.
Encouraging face-to-face communication and thank-you notes
Parents, despite their hectic lives, still expected children to have personal relationships: write letters or make phone calls, or visit the neighbors. Studies have found that routine social interactions of this kind produce better moral and civic conduct.
To develop empathy and maintain bonds in our digital-oriented society we should keep up face-to-face meetings and handwritten communications because they enable children to feel included in their communities.
Maintaining a “helping others” mindset
For many of us, parents had a straightforward philosophy: help when someone needs it. It might mean carrying groceries for an elderly neighbor or visiting a sick relative.
MDPI research found that when children are taught to help others, they develop greater social skills, empathy, and emotional wellbeing (Liang, Mo, & Duan, 2025).
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
