There’s a stark contrast between the kids of yesteryears and the kids of today.

The difference boils down to independence. The boomer generation had a crash course in independence early on, long before the term “helicopter parenting” was even coined.

Boomer kids, unlike their modern counterparts, were left to solve their problems themselves, fostering resilience and self-reliance.

These lessons of independence weren’t taught in classrooms. They were taught via life experiences, games and even household chores. And here’s the kicker: they worked!

In this article, I’m going to take you on a nostalgic trip back in time to explore the seven things that taught boomer kids independence. And who knows? You might find some valuable takeaways for today’s generation too!

1) Free range exploration

Many will look back and remember a time when children were allowed to roam freely, a stark contrast to today’s closely monitored upbringing.

Boomer kids were often given the liberty to explore their surroundings without constant supervision.

This could mean riding their bikes around the neighborhood, playing in the woods, or simply spending hours at the local playground.

This freedom served as a massive playground for learning. It taught them how to navigate, how to solve problems, and how to manage risks — all essential building blocks of independence.

This free range exploration nurtured a sense of self-reliance and resourcefulness in boomer kids that many argue is missing in today’s overprotected generation.

Of course, safety is paramount. But perhaps there’s a middle ground to be found that allows kids the freedom to explore while still ensuring their well-being.

2) Money management

Growing up, we never had an endless supply of money. Unlike today, where kids often have their needs and wants immediately met, boomer kids like myself had to learn the value of a dollar early on.

I remember my first job delivering newspapers. I was barely ten years old, and I had to wake up at the crack of dawn every day. It was my responsibility to deliver the papers on time, and for that, I earned a few dollars each week.

This early interaction with money taught me not only the value of hard work but also how to manage my own finances. I had to decide whether to save my earnings, spend them on something I wanted, or do a bit of both.

This was a crucial lesson in independence that stuck with me into adulthood.

Understanding the value of money and learning to manage it effectively is a lesson many kids miss out on today — one that can be the difference between financial independence and dependence in later life.

3) Manual labor

In the era of boomer kids, it was not uncommon for children to be involved in household chores or even part-time jobs.

Whether it was mowing the lawn, washing the dishes, or helping out at the family business, manual labor was part and parcel of their lives.

This involvement had a profound impact on their sense of responsibility and independence. It educated them about the importance of contributing to the family and society at large.

Interestingly, a study found that children who do chores from an early age tend to have better relationships, achieve greater academic success, and are more likely to be professionally successful in their adult lives.

It seems there’s more to chores than just keeping the house tidy – they’re character-building exercises that mold children into self-reliant adults.

4) Problem-solving

Back in the boomer era, children often had to figure things out for themselves. There were no smartphones or internet to provide instant answers. If a bike chain broke or a toy stopped working, kids were left to their own devices.

This necessity to troubleshoot and problem-solve fostered a sense of independence and resilience in boomer kids. It taught them that it’s okay not to know something, as long as you’re willing to figure it out.

In today’s age of instant information, it’s all too easy for kids to rely on Google for answers.

While there’s nothing wrong with utilizing available resources, there’s something to be said for the grit and determination that comes with figuring things out independently.

5) Learning from mistakes

I still remember the day I tried to bake a cake for the first time on my own. I was about twelve years old and thought I had followed the recipe to the letter.

But when I took the cake out of the oven, it was a complete disaster. It had sunk in the middle and was barely edible.

But instead of my parents stepping in to fix it, they encouraged me to try again. They guided me through what could have gone wrong and encouraged me to learn from my mistakes.

This approach taught me that failure is not something to be feared but seen as an opportunity for growth. It gave me the confidence to try new things, knowing that even if I failed, it would only make me better.

This lesson of independence, learned through making and correcting mistakes, is something boomer kids were taught early on in life. It’s a valuable lesson that fosters resilience and a growth mindset.

6) Free play

One of the defining aspects of growing up as a boomer kid was the emphasis on free play.

Unlike today, where children’s schedules are often packed with structured activities like sports practices, music lessons, and tutoring, boomer kids had plenty of time for unstructured play.

This could involve anything from building forts in the backyard, inventing new games with neighborhood friends, or simply daydreaming. This kind of play fostered creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills.

Not to mention, it also taught kids how to entertain themselves — a valuable trait that promotes independence and reduces reliance on external sources of amusement.

In an age where digital entertainment is readily available, perhaps it’s time to revisit the power of free play.

7) The school of life

The ultimate teacher of independence for boomer kids was life itself. They were thrown into situations that required them to think on their feet, make quick decisions, and bear the consequences of their actions.

Everyday experiences, whether navigating public transportation to school or dealing with disputes among friends, served as practical lessons in independence.

These experiences were not sugar-coated or overly guided. They were real, raw, and often challenging.

This school of life equipped boomer kids with the skills they needed to navigate adulthood successfully. It instilled in them a sense of self-reliance and confidence that carried them through life’s ups and downs.

And it’s a form of education that remains as valuable today as it was then.

Final reflection: Independence is timeless

At the heart of our exploration, we find one undeniable truth: independence is not a trait exclusive to a generation, but a timeless virtue.

The boomer kids, with their free-range exploration, early lessons in money management, exposure to manual labor, emphasis on problem-solving, learning from failures, free play, and life as their teacher, truly exemplify this.

But this doesn’t mean that today’s generation lacks independence. They have their own set of challenges and experiences that foster self-reliance and resilience.

Technology, for instance, has opened up a world of opportunities and challenges that demand a different kind of independence.

Perhaps what we should take away from this nostalgic trip down memory lane is not that ‘things were better then,’ but rather how these valuable lessons can be adapted for today’s context.

After all, independence is timeless. It’s about fostering a mindset that embraces challenges, values hard work, and encourages self-reliance. And that is something every generation could benefit from.