When I think about how my parents were raised, it’s striking how different their everyday norms were.
They were warned not to question authority, not to cry in public, not to speak too openly about emotions.
They were told discipline meant silence, and that too much screen time would rot your brain (though back then, “screen time” just meant watching TV).
Fast forward to now and most of us do the very things they were taught to avoid.
Some of these shifts are healthy and progressive.
Others? They’ve become such ingrained habits we barely realize how much they go against what our parents were once told was “right.”
Let’s dive into a few of them.
1. You probably stare at a screen all day
Growing up, I heard this line more times than I can count: “You’ll ruin your eyes if you sit too close to the TV.”
But these days, many of us spend 8+ hours in front of a screen for work, for socializing, for unwinding, and sometimes all at once.
I’m not here to judge. I do it too.
The problem isn’t just the time we spend, but when we spend it.
Scrolling late at night in bed? We all do it, even though we know it messes with our sleep.
As noted by Sleep Foundation, using tech screens late at night disrupts our sleep cycle and can leave us feeling drained the next day.
That constant mental fog? It could be from all that blue light we’re absorbing right before we’re meant to rest.
2. You multitask like it’s a badge of honor
Our parents were taught to focus. “One thing at a time,” they’d say.
But modern life practically demands multitasking. We answer emails while eating, scroll social media during meetings, and “watch TV” while replying to texts.
Here’s the catch: multitasking doesn’t make us more productive. It does the opposite.
As APA research shows, multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40%. That’s not a small dent, it’s nearly half of our mental capacity being zapped because we think doing more equals doing better.
Turns out, “doing it all” just leaves us scattered, not successful.
3. You share a lot—sometimes too much
Our parents were warned to keep things private. “Don’t air your dirty laundry,” “Keep family matters at home,” and “Be discreet” were common refrains.
These days, we live in an era of oversharing.
I’ve seen people post crying selfies on social media, arguments with partners laid bare on TikTok, and daily journals of thoughts that once lived in private notebooks now live in public comments.
There’s power in vulnerability, but there’s also value in discretion.
Sometimes we overshare not out of confidence, but out of a need for validation.
And often, what we actually need is someone to talk to, not a screen full of strangers.
4. You rely on GPS to get everywhere
I still remember my dad unfolding those massive paper maps on road trips. He’d plan out the route like it was a mission.
Now? I get turn-by-turn directions for places I’ve been to a dozen times.
Sure, GPS is convenient. But when was the last time you really paid attention to your surroundings or learned how to get somewhere on your own?
Our brains aren’t being challenged the same way.
We’ve outsourced something our parents were encouraged to master: a good sense of direction, spatial memory, and the confidence to figure it out ourselves.
5. You question everything—and that’s not a bad thing
This one’s tricky.
Many of our parents were taught to respect authority without question. Whether it was a teacher, boss, or elder, challenging the system wasn’t encouraged.
But today, questioning norms, rules, and even institutions is part of the culture especially among younger generations.
And honestly? I think it’s one of the healthier shifts.
Challenging doesn’t mean being disrespectful. It means thinking critically, asking why, and refusing to follow traditions that no longer serve us.
Whether it’s calling out toxic work environments, challenging outdated gender roles, or questioning how we define success—what was once taboo is now necessary.
6. You let your kids question you, too
This one really drives the point home.
Our parents were warned not to let children “talk back.” Obedience was seen as a virtue.
But now, we’re teaching our kids emotional intelligence, boundary-setting, and the importance of speaking up.
That means we’re inviting more questions, pushback, and even disagreement into our homes and it can feel uncomfortable.
But research backs this up.
As noted by University of Illinois researchers, kids do better in school academically, socially, and motivation-wise when their parents are involved and open to dialogue, no matter their age or background.
It’s not about giving up authority. It’s about building respect both ways.
7. You admit when you’re overwhelmed
Back in the day, emotional stoicism was seen as strength.
You held your tongue, kept your tears in, and powered through.
Now? More of us are embracing emotional honesty and even vulnerability.
We say, “I’m not okay today.” We talk about anxiety. We go to therapy.
And in doing so, we’re teaching those around us that strength isn’t about pretending to be fine, it’s about facing what’s real.
I had a client recently tell me, “My mom still thinks talking about feelings is self-indulgent.”
But here’s the thing: feelings don’t go away just because we hide them. They just get buried deeper.
By naming our emotions, we reduce their power. And by modeling that, we help normalize it for the next generation.
8. You let your kids use tech way earlier than you were allowed near it
If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve handed a phone or tablet to your child at some point to keep them calm, entertained, or occupied while you get something done.
It’s modern parenting survival.
But it’s also a sharp contrast to how our parents were warned: don’t let kids sit too close to the TV, limit cartoons, don’t overstimulate them.
Today, screens are everywhere. And while they’re not inherently bad, the effects are still something we should be mindful of.
As noted by Dr. Skyler Kalady, early exposure to excessive screen time at 24 months was predictive of lower developmental outcomes at 36 months.
The point here isn’t to shame parents, it’s to remind us that just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
9. You talk openly about mental health
Growing up, mental health was the elephant in the room.
People didn’t say the word “depression.” Therapy was for “crazy people.” And heaven forbid anyone admit to struggling.
Now? We talk about burnout at work. We share posts about anxiety. We encourage each other to take mental health days.
And it matters.
We’ve come a long way and while there’s still stigma, we’ve created a world where admitting you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human.
10. You prioritize fulfillment over duty
Finally, and maybe most importantly, most of us now seek lives that feel meaningful, not just ones that look respectable.
Our parents were warned to stick to the job, push through the marriage, do what’s expected. Security and reputation mattered more than joy.
But today, people are leaving stable careers to pursue passion projects. They’re walking away from relationships that don’t serve them. They’re saying no to paths that don’t align with who they are.
That kind of self-honesty? It was once seen as selfish.
Now, it’s often celebrated.
And rightly so.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, the rules our parents followed weren’t all bad. Many were rooted in love, survival, and doing what they thought was best.
But times change. And so do the definitions of success, strength, and connection.
So if you find yourself doing the very things your parents were warned not to do, pause and ask: is this habit helping me grow? Or is it time for a reset?
Progress isn’t about rejecting the past, it’s about choosing what still fits and bravely letting go of what doesn’t.
And maybe, just maybe, making peace with the fact that some rules were meant to be rewritten.
