11 Old-School Parenting Rules That We Can’t Imagine to Follow Today

These days, young parents have tons of information about raising kids. There are books, websites, and experts offering advice on every little thing. They can even get consultations from specialists whenever they need. But our own parents didn’t have all that. They raised us based on what they knew and what they learned from their own parents. So sometimes, the way we were brought up can seem really different from what we’re told is best now.

1. Early marriage and parenthood go without saying.

In earlier generations, there was often pressure on young adults to marry and start a family at a relatively young age, and to have more than one child a couple of years after the start of the family. Today, there is more emphasis on personal and career development before settling down. And moreover some researches show that early marriage can lead to some family problems, like dissatisfaction with married life, experience of having lots of responsibility, lack of independence in family life.

2. A college education is an indicator of your status.

«You can’t find a good job without going to college!» Many people must have heard this when they were teenagers. And lots of us believed this, but now don’t even know where our college diploma is. More than 41% of people that finished college have jobs that don’t require this kind of education. Today, employers are more interested in the practical skills of their employees rather than their qualifications.

When you finish school, it may be wise to take a gap year to understand what you really want to do and decide if you actually need a college education.

3. Classes are good for kids’ development — the more, the better!

A very tight schedule can exhaust children, which is obviously not good at all.

Famous American teacher Douglas Haddad recommends that parents slow down and give their children time to discover their own talents, and then decide if they need additional forms of education.

4. Being plump is healthy.

Children that always finished their meals were praised, and being plump was believed to be healthy. But bad eating habits formed in childhood often result in weight problems and eating disorders.

5. Money can’t buy happiness.

We wish this were true, but life says otherwise: money can make you happier, no matter what other people say.

Parents should teach their children the basics of budgeting. This will help kids form the right habits in money management and reach financial success in their adult lives.

6. Not standing out from the crowd means being good.

Traditional parenting often enforced strict dress codes and grooming expectations, particularly regarding modesty and conformity to societal norms. This might puzzle us today as modern parenting encourages children to express themselves through their clothing, appearance and let them express their emotions fully.

7. Older children are responsible for younger ones.

Very often, older children had to spend a lot of time taking care of younger ones. Parents had to work a lot and there was no other choice. But older kids had to sacrifice their time with friends and hobbies for the needs of their younger siblings.

Psychologists say that sometimes when kids have to perform the duties of parents, it may lead to psychological problems: they might not want to have their own children.

8. Women are housewives and men are breadwinners.

In recent decades, gender roles are not as important anymore. Women today can build successful careers and men can go on paternity leave and manage things around the house.

9. There’s nothing more shameful for a woman than having children without a husband.

Wrong, again. Today, there’s nothing surprising about single mothers and they’re not frowned upon as they were 30 years ago. Very often, having a child without a husband is an informed decision made by a woman. More than that, in the past 30 years, the number of single fathers has increased 1.5 times.

10. Storks deliver babies.

Some topics were never discussed — like when kids asked where babies came from, parents often said that they were delivered by a stork. Because of this, young people would often get into their first relationship without any knowledge of their bodies. They only based things off of the advice they received from their friends and bits of information from books and films. All these experiences could lead to bad consequences, including problems with both physical and mental health.

11. Children should be seen and not heard.

In the past, children were often expected to remain quiet and obedient in the presence of adults. Modern parenting emphasizes the importance of children expressing themselves and their opinions, because self-expression is a vital component of a young individual’s growth. The development of self-esteem and confidence in children is frequently nurtured by their capacity to express their feelings with clarity and authenticity.

Every parent has their own way of raising children. Just like how every family has its own special traditions, parents have rules they think are best for their kids. Sometimes, famous people, like celebrities, also share their ideas about parenting. They might talk about what works for them and their families. But in the end, each parent decides what’s right for their own children, based on love and what they believe is best.

Hollywood Famous Actor’s Wife Sacrificed Everything for Him, She Saved His Life with a Kidney Donation

A woman’s incredible kindness toward her famous husband ended in heartbreak that tore their family apart. His actions not only hurt her deeply but also damaged his relationship with their child. What she said after going through all the pain will surprise you.

The man, a well-known comedian and actor, had been married to his wife for nearly 20 years. She was loyal and loving throughout their marriage. In a moment of crisis, she made a huge sacrifice to save his life, but later, he betrayed her in a way she never expected.

But things took a turn. As the years passed, the man’s behavior changed. He became distant from his wife and started spending more time away from the family. Eventually, it was revealed that he had been unfaithful, breaking the bond they once had. His betrayal shocked everyone, especially since she had given so much for him.

The wife was devastated by his actions. She had sacrificed not just for their marriage, but for his life. His betrayal hurt her more than words could express. Their child, who had always admired the strong relationship between their parents, was also affected. The trust in their father was broken, and it created a rift that would not easily heal.

After the betrayal, the woman spoke out. Instead of lashing out in anger, she shared surprising words. She didn’t focus on the hurt or the betrayal but instead expressed her hope for healing. She said that despite everything, she wished for peace and understanding, not just for herself, but for their child and even for her husband.

Her response showed the strength and grace she had, even after everything she had been through. While their marriage ended and the family was forever changed, her words reflected her desire for everyone to move forward and find peace, even if it couldn’t be together.

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The celebrity’s ex-wife also made her mark in the entertainment industry, where they first met. They got married in September 1993, and three years later, they welcomed their only child in April 1996.

However, their marriage was not easy, facing many personal struggles and heartaches. In an honest interview, the actor admitted that he was not perfect during their marriage.

He fought against alcohol addiction and openly said, “In my private life, I’m not perfect. I never have been. I’ve talked about it for years.”

He also shared how he grew as a person, explaining that he had once spent time in casinos but changed to focus on creating a better life. He believed this change was the best way to take care of himself and avoid hurting those who cared about him.

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In addition to his struggles with addiction, the actor faced a serious health issue that required major surgery. He learned he had kidney disease, which he thought might have been avoided when he was a child.

In a July 2011 interview, he shared that he was born with narrow ureters, which made it hard for him to drain properly and led to frequent bed-wetting as a child.

Instead of getting medical help, his grandmother limited his water intake, not knowing about the underlying problem. By the age of 18, he developed high blood pressure, and his health continued to get worse.

“Kidney disease isn’t painful in the traditional sense, but it does make you feel very tired. I kept thinking I was tired from working hard when really my kidneys were failing,” the actor explained.

His health issues worsened, leading to kidney failure and the need for a transplant.

His then-wife made a significant choice and offered to donate one of her kidneys to save him. When reflecting on her decision, she said, “It’s amazing to help someone like this. You’re giving the gift of life.”

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He expressed his gratitude, saying, “It was a miracle that my wife’s kidney could be used. Now I value each day because I don’t know how long this kidney will last.”

The actor used a fake name when he went to the hospital to keep his privacy. The night after the surgery, their daughter visited but could only see her mother.

After the operation, his wife, who is also a producer, said that having one kidney didn’t make her feel any different. People can live with just one kidney because the remaining kidney can adjust to work harder.

After the surgery, her husband felt better than ever and recovered well. Once his body accepted the kidney, they knew the surgery had been a success. Just three weeks later, he was back on the golf course.

Their daughter expressed her gratitude to her mother on Instagram, sharing a throwback family photo. She wrote, “12 years ago, my mom gave my dad a kidney, and I could not be more grateful for her gift and bravery. She is the most amazing woman I know, and I will never be able to thank her enough.”

Their daughter, who is also an actress, mentioned that her mother gave her the priceless gift of a healthy father during her childhood, which she considered the greatest gift.

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Despite Ann Serrano’s selfless act for George Lopez, he was unfaithful to her. Ann revealed in an interview that George started acting out six years into their marriage.

At that time, their daughter Mayan was only three years old, and Ann wanted her to have a relationship with her father. After reassessing their relationship, the couple decided to go to therapy together, with George also committing to individual counseling. Ann noted that he took it “very seriously and became a better man.”

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She warned him that if it happened again, their marriage would be over. Sadly, history repeated itself, and this time it became public when Ann discovered his cheating through tabloids.

“It was a pretty devastating way to find out. Your husband is living a double life, basically. So, I decided I could not tolerate that, and I chose to divorce him,” Ann revealed.

George openly talked about their breakup in another interview, admitting the criticism he faced after their divorce.

He acknowledged that he deserved the backlash, especially since Ann had given him the “gift of life” by donating her kidney.

When asked if Ann ever wanted her kidney back, George confirmed that it had been mentioned during their rough patches. He also reflected on his upbringing, admitting he lacked the necessary tools to be a supportive partner.

The couple separated in November 2010 after 17 years of marriage, finalizing their divorce in July 2011. Their split was reportedly drama-free.

In a joint statement, they said their decision was mutual and amicable, emphasizing their commitment as parents, business partners, and co-founders of the Lopez Foundation.

At 15, their daughter was significantly impacted by the divorce. In a November 2022 interview, she shared how challenging it was as a teenager, saying, “Having it be so public made it much more difficult.”

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She added, “You read these headlines, and people often forget that there’s a family behind those headlines.” Reflecting on the aftermath, she mentioned, “It’s been like 11 years since my parents divorced… I think the longest I didn’t speak to my dad was almost three-and-a-half years because it was just painful. Time was really the biggest healer.”

Years later, in a TikTok video with both parents, Mayan boldly asked who ended their marriage. Her mother jokingly pointed at her father, saying, “Your dad didn’t realize you have to stop dating other people when you get married.”

Mayan also asked if they still loved each other. Her mother replied, “Yeah, I love you,” while looking at George. She added, “He’s the father of my child, my husband, and my friend,” as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Despite their painful past, Ann and George Lopez have maintained a strong bond as they co-parent and support one another. Their story is one of resilience, forgiveness, and the enduring power of family love.

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