If you were told to dial a rotary phone, could you do it? If you had to write a letter on stationery, would you know how?
Ah, the times when Boomer kids were expected to master these skills by the age of 12.
Today things are different. In this digital age, such skills are often seen as outdated, and sadly, aren’t taught anymore.
In this article, I’ll walk you through 8 things that every Boomer kid knew by heart at a young age, but have been forgotten in today’s education.
These might seem simple or even obsolete to some, but they offer a unique insight into our past and how far we’ve come.
Maybe, just maybe, it might even inspire us to bring back some of these lost arts. After all, good manners and basic life skills never go out of style.
1) Dialing a rotary phone
These chunky, vintage-looking contraptions may seem like relics from a bygone era, but believe it or not, they were once the cutting edge of communication technology.
And every Boomer kid knew how to use one by the time they were 12.
The slow, deliberate process of dialing each number one by one, waiting for the dial to return to its starting point before moving on to the next number – it took patience and precision.
In today’s world of speed dial and voice-activated calling, this skill may seem a bit archaic. But it was an essential part of life for Boomer kids.
It taught them patience and the importance of careful attention to detail – values that seem to be increasingly overlooked in our fast-paced digital age.
Who knows? Maybe it’s time we brought back rotary phones, if only to remind us of the value of taking our time.
2) Writing a proper letter
I remember vividly the first letter I ever wrote.
It was to my grandmother who lived a few towns over. I was around 10, and my parents insisted that I write her a thank you letter for the birthday gift she’d sent me.
The process was meticulous.
Choosing the right stationery, penning down my thoughts carefully, making sure my handwriting was legible, addressing the envelope – it was a task that required thought and effort.
Today, in an age of instant messaging and emails, the art of letter writing seems to have lost its charm.
But there’s something about physically writing a letter that can’t be replicated by typing on a screen.
This seemingly outdated skill taught us Boomer kids not just about grammar and etiquette, but also about expressing gratitude and maintaining relationships – lessons that are timeless regardless of the technology we use to communicate.
And maybe it’s about time we reintroduce this lost art to the younger generation.
3) Reading a paper map
Before GPS and Google Maps, there was the good old-fashioned paper map. It was a vital tool for any family road trip or outdoor adventure.
Boomer kids were often expected to have basic map-reading skills by the time they were 12. They knew how to identify landmarks, read symbols, and follow routes.
What’s interesting is that studies have shown that using a physical map can improve spatial reasoning and cognitive map-building skills.
This means that reading a paper map can actually make you better at navigating your surroundings, even when you’re not using the map.
In today’s digital age, these skills might seem obsolete. But they’re about more than just getting from point A to point B.
They’re about developing a deeper understanding of the world around us – something that a digital screen can’t quite capture.
4) Balancing a checkbook
There was a time when personal finance was a hands-on affair. No online banking, no digital transactions, just you, your checkbook, and a pen.
Boomer kids were expected to learn the basics of balancing a checkbook by the age of 12. It was an exercise in responsibility, understanding money management, and most importantly, accountability.
Today, with automatic payments and online tracking, this skill may seem almost ancient.
But the principles behind it – understanding your income and expenses, keeping track of your money, and being accountable for your financial decisions – are as relevant today as they were back then.
Perhaps it’s time to bring back this old-school practice. Not just for nostalgia’s sake, but to instill these invaluable lessons in the younger generation.
5) Sewing a button
I still remember my mother sitting me down one afternoon with a needle, thread, and a shirt with a missing button. It was my first introduction to sewing.
By the time they were 12, Boomer kids, like me, were expected to know how to sew a button or mend a small tear in their clothes.
It was a simple yet practical skill that fostered self-reliance and creativity.
In today’s world of fast fashion and disposable clothing, I sometimes wonder if this craft is becoming a lost art.
But I believe that knowing how to mend your own clothes is not just about saving money or being self-sufficient. It’s about understanding the value of things and taking care of them.
And perhaps, if more people knew how to sew a button or stitch up a tear, we’d be more mindful of our consumption and its impact on the world around us.
6) Using a library catalog
In the era before the internet, the library was the ultimate resource for information. And the key to unlocking its wealth of knowledge?
The library catalog.
Boomer kids by age 12 were adept at using this system to locate books on any given subject. It was a lesson in patience, research, and critical thinking.
Today, with almost every piece of information available at our fingertips, physically searching through a library catalog might seem unnecessary.
But the process of researching, analyzing different sources, and extracting relevant information is still an essential skill.
While digital search engines are undoubtedly convenient, they often don’t require the same level of involvement as manually searching through a library catalog.
Perhaps revisiting this old-school method could push us to be more proactive in our quest for knowledge.
7) Cooking a basic meal
There was a time when kids were expected to know their way around the kitchen. By age 12, most Boomer kids could whip up a simple meal.
They knew how to make scrambled eggs, boil pasta, and make a sandwich – basic stuff, but essential.
It wasn’t just about feeding oneself but also about understanding nutrition and appreciating the effort that goes into preparing food.
Today, with fast food and ready-made meals easily available, cooking might seem like an optional skill.
But knowing how to cook is about more than just survival. It’s about self-reliance, creativity, and even mindfulness.
So why not bring back this tradition?
Let’s teach our kids to cook. Not just so they can feed themselves, but so they can appreciate the joy of creating something with their own hands and the satisfaction of nourishing themselves and others.
8) Basic first aid
The ability to respond to minor injuries and emergencies was something every Boomer kid was expected to have.
From cleaning and bandaging a wound to recognizing the signs of common illnesses, these basic first aid skills were as essential then as they are now.
Today, with advanced healthcare facilities and numerous digital resources, one might overlook the importance of these skills.
But knowing basic first aid can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.
It’s not just about being able to handle emergencies but also about fostering a sense of responsibility towards oneself and others.
It’s about understanding that sometimes, you might be the first, and the most crucial, line of defense in a crisis.
Reflecting on the past, shaping the future
As we journey through this digital age, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the skills and values that were once considered essential.
The 8 things we’ve discussed here might seem outmoded in today’s fast-paced world.
But there’s something more to them. They speak of a time when patience, diligence, and self-reliance were not just desirable traits but necessary ones.
These skills weren’t just about dialing a phone or sewing a button. They were about understanding the world, navigating challenges, and growing as individuals.
The world has changed, and it will continue to do so.
But perhaps there’s room for these seemingly outdated skills in our lives – not as relics of a bygone era, but as reminders of values that withstand the test of time.
So as we move forward, let’s not forget these lessons from the past. They might just hold the key to a more mindful, patient, and self-reliant future.
