Despite the lack of safety, a whole generation survived and thrived happily. We all love and reminisce over not our lack of bicycle helmets but the countless bike rides with friends and families and the songs sung on road trips sans secured seating. Even Wiles’ mom admits there were things she wished she had used back then that are available today like suction bowls and food catcher bibs. Let’s enjoy a trip down memory lane.

#1. Riding in the front seat was no big deal.

#2. It’s about family time not the fact that kids are in the back of a pickup.

#3. Everyone played with fireworks. You just had to have quick reflexes.

#4. You were supposed to be sleeping not playing.

#5. Helmets? Our heads were strong enough.

#6. You didn’t have to play with lighters given some toy options at that time.

#7. We didn’t think about excessive amounts of sugar in juice rotting away our teeth.

#8. Being pulled by a rope attached to a bicycle did not scream out danger!

#9. Any age was the right age for soda.

#10. We didn’t feel we were up the creek paddling through alligator-infested waters.

#11. Flammable pjs, coupled with electronic toys in our cribs was not an issue.

#12. Pillows took the place of adults at feeding time.

#13. We didn’t have to wait until our 21st birthday to enjoy a sip of alcohol.

#14. Who needs safety harnesses when you’ve got rope?

#15. Car seats? Don’t be such a baby!

#16. Four heads popping out of a station wagon didn’t seem to pose any danger.

#17. Playing with big cats was ok when an adult was present.

#18. Luckily there was no second-hand smoke in the 70’s and 80’s.

#19. We got to enjoy a post meal cigarrette.

#20. Life jackets took up too much room in the boat.

#21. We could enjoy time on the lake without adults nearby.

#22. Nothing like a frothy cold one.

#23. No one thought about our little necks when diving into a foot of water.

#24. An older sibling’s lap was the perfect carseat.

#25. Attaching a sled to a motorbike created hours of fun.

#26. Nothing took the edge off a long day at school like smoking.

#27. What’s the worse that can happen?

#28. Soapbox cars were safe enough to enjoy without helmets.

#29. You didn’t have to be a certain age to fire a gun.

#30. Cooking lessons were much different back then.