Totally feel the same way every summer. I spent just laying around watching TV, going outside and hanging out. My daughter just entered college and her summer is spent working as an EMT 12 to 14 hour shifts plus exams. She literally doesn't have time to sleep... I think kids in the '70s, '80s and '90s were much happier than they are today.
Agreed. Grew up in the 90's and things were a lot more chill. I'm all for expanding your mind and skillset, but what kids are going through today is the same hustle culture that's led to the abusive work culture we have in the U.S.
Count the smiles. Any time anyone claims to have a better way of doing things, just count the smiles. If there ain't no smiles, it's not a better way. We spent a lot of time smiling back in the dinosaur days before the turn of the century.
I miss those summers in the 90s and 2000s. Sleeping in, pool parties, camping, road trips, watching movies. Now, even vacations have to be scheduled. Great video, pure nostalgia.
I had to plan out my recent Disney trip more than I planned out my entire wedding. People also have a nice wedding for less than the mouse trap. Not joking, Disney is not worth it anymore sooo much work!
Secrets from an admissions counselor at a top college: none of those things (except for scores + AP classes) really matter much. The extra activities speak more to involved parents and financial resources than they do the student. I’d take a kid with a real passion and interests over one who’s overly-involved any day.
Thank god you said this! I’m glad admissions counselors are onto that scam. All these extra activities and college camps and “internships” are usually driven by parents and fueled by their privilege.
Yes! Always trying to tell teens 3 AP classes should be the max. Why would you want so many college credits ? To graduate early to…start working earlier? For what? Don’t miss out on your real life!
@@loridurand400I disagree with your advice a bit. Just want to share another perspective. I took every AP class that was offered. I also went to community college. Then, at university, I really only had to take like three hard classes and everything else was fun electives. I was also able to get a BS and a masters in four years of university. I saved a lot of money and had a great time. AP classes are really helpful if you are using them as a money and time saving tool. They’re not helpful if they’re stressing you out , your family is rich anyway, or you have no interest in grad school.
It's sad that kids can't be kids anymore. I was a teenager in the 70's. My kids were teenagers in the 90's. My husband and I made certain they could simply be kids. We limited planned activities. We have 4 grandkids. It's mind boggling how planned their time after school, on weekends, and during the summer are! Honestly, it makes me sad.
@@JanineStorytellerIn the 80s and 90s kids of a decent age (for back then) stayed home by themselves. There was still the risk of household accidents or crime in the area but we were taught how to stay safe.
My 4 kids are all under 8, but my oldest loves to say he’s an 80s kid. We are a tablet free family and minimal extra curriculars. I love the Christian school they attend but if it ever gets to be too insane as they get older, I’ll home school. I refuse to let society dictate to me that my kids have to be mini depressed adults.
Thank God I encouraged my 3 kids to live like they were in the 70's and 80's. No college camp for them!!! AND... they STILL ended up successful, happy and have great paying jobs that they love!
I just want my sons to go out and catch bugs and explore the backwoods or ride his bike as far as they can without being in danger (ok, maybe I can be a bit more worried here than my parents were). Yet my wife is Chinese and wants them to do reading, learn new things in math, etc. Ugh.
I was working full time at 16 and paying rent and helping with bills. I did NOT want my kids to be adults before they were actually adults. My daughter got into HVAC without having to pay for school. My non-bio son decided to go into the Air National Guard to get funding for education. And my youngest, nearly 15 year old son is doing things for neighbors to make money so he can buy himself an Xbox series X. And then save for a car. He wants to be a cop and work his way up to detective. So, the only thing he’s got going on is the cadet program with our local PD. It’ll help him get money and credits for the academy. All his decisions.
@@MsAubrey Smart children you have! I love that your daughter went into HVAC. I actually encouraged my 3 kids to NOT go to college (even though they each have at least 40K in a 529 that my parents set up) and they are doing very well at 20, 22 and 23 yo. All have good paying skilled jobs. And now they can use that 529 money towards a home or travel or whatever they want to do with it!
Totally agree Kim. My teen is taking it easy this summer, the year before 12th grade. I already approved her taking a gap year just to work and volunteer. We already told her don't bother with AP courses. She will go to college once she knows exactly what she wants to study. She may take longer to catch up early in her career but I have no doubt it will even out a few years into working life. As all those kids who went at things too hard drop out of the workforce to take time to "find themselves." The way to stop the rat race is to get off the track.
Taking AP classes wasn't harder than regular classes in my opinion. All you had to do was take a test and you got college credits. It made things easier once you got to college. I thought it was great. By the time my younger brother came along, they were just sending high school kids to the local community college for class. He thought school was boring so this kept him engaged.
My daughter waited. She took a few community college classes during her junior and senior years, then worked at different jobs after high school. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do after high school. Now she works part time as a supervisor at Starbucks and they pay for her online college. At 22, she has enough credits to be a sophomore. She never took the ACT or SAT.
What I wouldn't give to have a parent like you. I was stuffed into summer classes, summer stem programs, and if I was caught playing games for more than two hours I got yelled at. I just wanted to relax. But instead I had to study all day every day.
As a teenager now, I can confirmi would rather live in past times. Specifically the 80s for the music. I don't care about the internet going back I'd have so much fun roller skating and making my hair fluffy. It would be Hella better
I was a teenager in the 1970's and summer was a time for swimming, hanging out with my friends and just chillin'. I had the occasional job at the Mall just for some spending cash. This was a time way before computers and video games so my friends and I would play sports with the other neighborhood kids or just traipse through the woods looking to see what we could find. Good times, good times.
00:58 = "No one is just sitting at home." Well, except for those two years when the world shutdown, and students took classes at home. I would have loved to have seen 90s Kim react to that tidbit of history. 😂😂😂
I loved summer to decompress from school. I could let go of the stress and get excited about going back to school in the Fall. As a very young kid, I was outside all day doing something with friends. My mom threatened dusting if I came back in so... I stayed out as long as possible! 😂
Actually did prep for the SAT in the 80’s…. And went to UCBerkeley PDP summer courses. But still had tons of down time. I think the constant “connection” through our devices is what makes us feel so constantly busy. Remember writing multi-page “notes” to your girlfriends because you weren’t allowed to spend hours on the family phone? Or was that just me? 😂
My kids do a mostly 90's summer. They have a few activities, one week long day camp each, and swim lessons, but that is it. My oldest is 13 (14 in sept) and he just gets to hang out with friends and be a kid.
Man I'm glad I spent summer the way I did back in the 80s and 90s. Today's summers sound too stressful. I stressed out enough fighting to be valedictorian and all that. Now older in life I wish I had stressed less and just enjoyed those days and explored more of my options. I remember one summer before I was old enough to get a job I would nap most days while my Mom was gone to work. There was nothing on tv with the Oliver North trial taking over every channel, so I napped. Best summer ever. I'm sure these busier schedules help get them ready for real life, but yeah too much stress.
Its so hard to be a kid now. It frustrates me to no end when older generations give these kids stick for "how easy they've got it" or whatever. They're living in the unflinching gaze of the entire world and inheriting a planet that's actively on fire - I think its important that we give them credit for coping as well as they are. Signed: a very tired Gen X'er.
Amen - fellow Gen Xer here. I allow my kids down time to just hang out. When they were really young, I sent them to a variety of summer camps for fun (not academics) and then we'd go to the pool or watch TV. Down time is not given enough.
Another gen x here. My teen has been counseled by me to take things slower. Like I did. What is the rush to grow up. The stress on kids these days is awful.
@@KellyGreenPhotography I'm giving my younger son space. His older brother took a gap year before college. Best thing ever! My younger one graduated high school and is also taking a gap year because he literally has no idea what he wants and I don't think he wants to "grow up" yet. I get it. He's maturing in many ways, but needs time with college and careers.
People also manipulate the younger generation with lies that they call facts and make them fearful in order to control them. Read the book 1984 and learn to question those who say they are helping and learn to listen to those you have been made to disregard.
Kim, I am incredibly glad you know how hard it is on kids (and on college students). I am really glad that you also remind your kids to relax, because burnout is genuinely a thing! I grew up in the 90s and seeing how ridiculously competitive life is now is a bit sad as a current college student. I think we really have to teach balance.
Ah yes, those relaxed 90's summers...sun screen factor 10 was considered enough (well at least by me haha) spending hours outside, eating tons if ice cream and candy...sigh...again, great video! Lot's of love from the Netherlands ❤
I haven't done much this summer. My son wants to do more, but I can't afford to go do a lot of stuff it gets expensive, and it's so hot out side its hard to just enjoy nature. But we did a staycation , went swimming a few times, went fishing, we are going camping Wednesday, have been visiting family, but mostly watching tv and playing video games this summer.
Yes, except for I'm and 80's and 90's summer girl here. Mostly 80's. I remember both of my parents working in the summer, and my sisters and I stayed home by ourselves...ALL DAY! We went to the beach without a cell phone. Our parents had no way to get a hold of us.
I went to high school 10 years ago, and it was already like that, all of my classmates were breaking their back during the summer with extra school work. But I would just be relaxing and so confused. Because I'm like what it's summer, we're supposed to relax. Of course some of them probably have master's degrees by now. And I'm a community college drop out, but at least I had fun living my life the way I wanted to.
The summer I turned 15 I told my mom and dad I was too young to have a job but I'd be available to do some random babysitting. I figured that would give me lots of free time to hang out with my friends, go to the beach etc. Well, last day of school and I come to find out my mom signed me up to be a volunteer camp counselor at the YMCA for the entire summer...lol.
Omg Orange Julius!!! I worked there summer of 85' at 16, for all of 1 day!! Was horrible. I decided next day I didn't feel like showing up. I never got paid for that day and I couldn't care less. Then got a job at Lechters (another chain I don't think exists anymore) and got fired after 3 days because I had to fill out what was essentially a values and honesty questionnaire and I made the mistake if answering it totally honestly. LMAO!!! Finally, got a job in the produce dept at Foodtown (look it up) and got fired after w days because 2 of my buddies came in and started playing long catch with all the fruit!!! Best summer of my life!!!!
I remember my mom never let me do "nothing" during summer break. She always signed me up for summer school bc she didn't want me to fall behind in school. I was a decent student who got A's and B's but she always told me "this is so you can keep those good grades and don't fall behind"
@@ramenaddict1676 that's actually when my summer school classes were held. My mom was convinced that I should always be learning. She also had me doing various volunteer work and stuff that would look good on a college application. She read a mom blog that said that college prep should start as kindergarten. Ironically, I never moved past the middle of the pack despite her best efforts. Plus, I only applied for a community college before graduation. I got my associates degree and then went to a state school where I still graduated in the middle of the pack
Ugh that’s so depressing for kids now, lol. My summers were in the 90s and I resonated with so much of that ha ha. Now raising an 11 and 14 year old I try to do as little as possible. A lot of our parent friends are crazy with the travel sports during the summer as well as tryouts for fall travel sports. Yuck. No sports at all for us during the summer and just one or two week long summer camps and that’s it. We all need a mental break before the shit all starts up again in September 😂
One of the few things I am proud of as a parent is that my kids have the space to be bored. Boredom is when creativity happens. Boredom is when growth happens. My kids are still pretty young (early elementary) so I'm sure there will more camps and activities in the future, but I really want to limit it to just one or two, if I can. I am concerned about the consequences of adults who have never learned to be okay without structured activities.
I would never tell anyone how to parent. I will share that I have 3 adult children all in their late 20's who are now deeply analyzing choices made during their childhood (IMO they had a blessed childhood) however, it is their experience that matters, not mine - sharing w/ me about how they are now such anxious adults. So I guess I just fear these extreme expectations put on children (they got them from somewhere) they will realize how it affected them later - just be ready for the backlash and then the guilt.
I'm so glad I'm not a teen now (I'm retired) and I don't know I would have handled having kids during this period as the little you shared here, sounds crazy. Nothing wrong with a little productivity during the summer, but the kids are so booked and measured that relaxing is viewed as wasting time. I find that sad.
In the 80s I worked for my folks. At 15 full time as I had to sub for my mom who had surgery for cancer so traumatic but a good summer as folks had NO idea I was 15. It built confidence AND I appreciated Mom's juggling act so much more after that. Super-mom she was!
90s kim is hillarious😂😂 the 80s teenage me has to agree with teen kim though. Summer was for fun! Camping, hiking, going to the beach. Hanging out at the mall or library. Yes, we went to the library for fun! 😮😂.and eating so . Much . Ice-cream!
I miss 90's summers. I want to hang out at the mall all day, drinking Orange Julius, and having absolutely no responsibilities. Also you should have gotten a flexible pregnancy naval ring. I have no regrets for a 20-year-old belly button ring :)
Surprised you didn't mention how short Summer break has gotten for kids currently. The county where I reside in Indiana has several school districts and depending on which one you live in summer break is 8 weeks or 10 weeks. We have two school districts starting July 31 this year and the rest start August 7. For most of the '80's my wife and I got out of school the Friday before Memorial Day and didn't go back until the Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day, 12 or 13 weeks for summer. In the '90's for high school and college it did start to vary but summer break never dipped below 11 weeks off.
Here in SW Michigan in the '80s and '90s, we typically finished a week into June and started the Tuesday before Labor Day. My brain is currently unable to process your statement that some schools start in July.
@@kynn23 Makes it even worse when you realize the schools that only got eight weeks were still in school on June 2 this year. But that was what happened this year.
We have all chosen this new life trying to keep up with others. You can fall into this trap or you can mentally say no more and refuse to play into this contrived busy life
Baby oil, Sun-In were absolute must have for summer! Back to school with nearly platinum hair (In spots) and more freckles. Not a good look in my southern California high school but I stuck to it! 😂
I kick my kids out of the house every day at 10 am. That's when I get back from the gym and shut off the TV. They ride their bikes 2 1/2 miles to the pool which opens at 11 am. If they forgot to pack a lunch, I might drop off a PB&J while I'm out running errands. The lifeguards take a break from 2-2:30, so the kids play at the park or lay out on the grass for a bit. Pool closes at 5 and everyone bikes home, or if I'm in the area, I'll pick them up. My two teens work part time at the local diner and use their tips to buy ice cream cones from the coffee shop that's next to the park, for themselves and sometimes for a little sibling. While they are gone, I clean the house, catch up on laundry and dishes, and think blissful, uninterrupted thoughts. It's a good life here in the summer and we all love it 😁
Yes. My kid will be a senior next year. Doing almost all of that this summer (internship, a second job for a different career, sports camps, college camps,....) Plus researching and applying for scholarships! Fun times.🎉😂
Do they actually WANT to do that stuff??? My kids are 20, 21 and 23 and all had summer jobs, but they rest of the time was their time to have fun. I wouldn't even let them do the assigned summer homework their high school would give them.
We don’t need to do any of this in Australia aside from good grades. The better the grades/marks in final tests, the better course and uni. No extra curriculars or applications no internships needed. You just put in your top choices and wait for the offers. Short of if you wanted a scholarship, don’t need any of it. But we have an automatic govt loan for uni that you only have to pay back once you start earning a certain about after graduation.
I'm a Gen Xer who doesn't have kids... watching this video was eye-opening. I worked in the snack bar serving hot dogs at my pool at 14. My 14 year old niece on the other hand, went to camp at college, lived in the dorms and worked on service projects and leadership skills. Yes...Service and Leadership Camp.
A. realizing that Kim is also 47 makes me feel a bit validated. B. My honors student with dual enrollment classes in the fall, I let just vegetate this summer. No real expectations, just giving her some time to help her find herself is just as important as academic achievement.
FRICK! Seriously! My son is the same grade as Lola and I also missed the college camp. It’s a thing?! He took an AP class last year that had a summer assignment and he’s also taking other electives over the summer to get them out of the way so he can do yet other electives later on. And yet they’ll still be required to do a million other things that were not required by anyone else before them. This generation needs a nap.
My summer vacation is currently consisting of 40 hrs of an internship, 8 week college English course, 10 week college math course, a summmer job and my brain is broken. I truly think our parents actually had it better than us. I live at the jersey shore 2 blocks away from the beach I haven’t been to the boardwalk or beach in years now bc summer vacation is too busy.
I remember teaching myself to juggle one week in the summer when my sister was away at camp and I was bored. Unscheduled time is when you do stuff you remember later. ❤
My kid didn't do any of those things graduated and got into a university don't put to much pressure on em and she worked all through highschool . Give them a chance to chill or they will have a breakdown . She just graduated this year .
Wow, still the 90’s here in the Netherlands I guess. Summer vacation is only 6 to 7 weeks and half of it we are going on vacation but the other 3 the kids are just sleeping in, going to the beach and just relax😎
60's summers - badminton and riding bikes, continuing my violin lessons, mowing the lawn & clipping around the trees, going to the pool, reading a lot, volunteering, family beach vacation. Last summer, got a job. If you think this sounds marvelous - it was! Oh yeah - end of the summer, band camp!!!!
Sounds like my baby boomer summers ! We had chores at home , summer jobs , etc. - a great mix of responsibility , time off , family 'n friends time . The best of times !!💙
@@marthahancock7938 Yes ! After " work " , we were pretty much " free range " kids & knew the rules & limitations like be home on time , call if you change where you're going , etc. We were busy being kids yet learning to be adults along the way .
@@marthahancock7938 This dates me ... Just talked w/ a friend my age about not finding kids to hire ( good money offered ! ) to put up hay - too hard ? work outside ? get dirty ? 🤨 Bucking bales is character building !!! 😂
I'm a 48 year old Kim and my mom wouldn't let us have Dunkaroos either. I contemplated getting a bellybutton ring for 3 whole years and then didn't. Too big of a commitment. 😂
90's Gnomie had fake tattoos as a teenager. Age 50 Gnomie has 3 real tattoos and I was 43 before I got my first one. I played softball all summer so I would continue to hone my skills from High School Softball. Definitely different than when we were teenagers. My Great Niece Chloe is starting her teen years - the kid knows 7 foreign languages. She also is training to be a Olympic Swimmer.
I was a teenager in the 90s (born in 80) but my dad was super strict and had a hard work ethic which he inflicted on me so I never had an empty summer as a teen. The summer right before middle school I was a full blown nanny to a toddler and small child dawn to sometimes 10pm ( illegal now I know). In summer when I was about 18 I had 3 jobs simultaneously and while moving (one was an internship)…he also never accepted anything less than an A+ from me and often volunteered me community projects alongside whatever else I had going on…long story short…I can relate to what kids today are going through…it’s rough though. ❤
Totally feel the same way every summer. I spent just laying around watching TV, going outside and hanging out. My daughter just entered college and her summer is spent working as an EMT 12 to 14 hour shifts plus exams. She literally doesn't have time to sleep... I think kids in the '70s, '80s and '90s were much happier than they are today.
Agreed. Grew up in the 90's and things were a lot more chill. I'm all for expanding your mind and skillset, but what kids are going through today is the same hustle culture that's led to the abusive work culture we have in the U.S.
Count the smiles. Any time anyone claims to have a better way of doing things, just count the smiles. If there ain't no smiles, it's not a better way. We spent a lot of time smiling back in the dinosaur days before the turn of the century.
I miss those summers in the 90s and 2000s. Sleeping in, pool parties, camping, road trips, watching movies. Now, even vacations have to be scheduled. Great video, pure nostalgia.
I had to plan out my recent Disney trip more than I planned out my entire wedding. People also have a nice wedding for less than the mouse trap. Not joking, Disney is not worth it anymore sooo much work!
I am lucky that I still do these things. Think of years that have the number 5 at the end.
Secrets from an admissions counselor at a top college: none of those things (except for scores + AP classes) really matter much. The extra activities speak more to involved parents and financial resources than they do the student. I’d take a kid with a real passion and interests over one who’s overly-involved any day.
Thank god you said this! I’m glad admissions counselors are onto that scam. All these extra activities and college camps and “internships” are usually driven by parents and fueled by their privilege.
Yes! Always trying to tell teens 3 AP classes should be the max. Why would you want so many college credits ? To graduate early to…start working earlier? For what?
Don’t miss out on your real life!
@@loridurand400I disagree with your advice a bit. Just want to share another perspective.
I took every AP class that was offered. I also went to community college. Then, at university, I really only had to take like three hard classes and everything else was fun electives. I was also able to get a BS and a masters in four years of university.
I saved a lot of money and had a great time.
AP classes are really helpful if you are using them as a money and time saving tool.
They’re not helpful if they’re stressing you out , your family is rich anyway, or you have no interest in grad school.
@@loridurand400why would 3 be the max?
@@youtubename7819what is the difference between community college, university and grad school?! (I’m not American)
It's sad that kids can't be kids anymore. I was a teenager in the 70's. My kids were teenagers in the 90's. My husband and I made certain they could simply be kids. We limited planned activities. We have 4 grandkids. It's mind boggling how planned their time after school, on weekends, and during the summer are! Honestly, it makes me sad.
Agreed. Sadly, with 2 parents working full time, kids need a safe place to be and that's scheduled activities like camps.
@@JanineStorytellerIn the 80s and 90s kids of a decent age (for back then) stayed home by themselves. There was still the risk of household accidents or crime in the area but we were taught how to stay safe.
My 4 kids are all under 8, but my oldest loves to say he’s an 80s kid. We are a tablet free family and minimal extra curriculars. I love the Christian school they attend but if it ever gets to be too insane as they get older, I’ll home school. I refuse to let society dictate to me that my kids have to be mini depressed adults.
Thank God I encouraged my 3 kids to live like they were in the 70's and 80's. No college camp for them!!! AND... they STILL ended up successful, happy and have great paying jobs that they love!
You went the better route, I feel. So many pressures today on the kids.
I just want my sons to go out and catch bugs and explore the backwoods or ride his bike as far as they can without being in danger (ok, maybe I can be a bit more worried here than my parents were). Yet my wife is Chinese and wants them to do reading, learn new things in math, etc. Ugh.
Yeah. Screw the premature grind. It's bad enough when you are an adult, and we push kids into being mini adults with all of this regimented garbage.
I was working full time at 16 and paying rent and helping with bills. I did NOT want my kids to be adults before they were actually adults.
My daughter got into HVAC without having to pay for school.
My non-bio son decided to go into the Air National Guard to get funding for education.
And my youngest, nearly 15 year old son is doing things for neighbors to make money so he can buy himself an Xbox series X. And then save for a car. He wants to be a cop and work his way up to detective. So, the only thing he’s got going on is the cadet program with our local PD. It’ll help him get money and credits for the academy. All his decisions.
@@MsAubrey Smart children you have! I love that your daughter went into HVAC. I actually encouraged my 3 kids to NOT go to college (even though they each have at least 40K in a 529 that my parents set up) and they are doing very well at 20, 22 and 23 yo. All have good paying skilled jobs. And now they can use that 529 money towards a home or travel or whatever they want to do with it!
Totally agree Kim. My teen is taking it easy this summer, the year before 12th grade. I already approved her taking a gap year just to work and volunteer. We already told her don't bother with AP courses. She will go to college once she knows exactly what she wants to study. She may take longer to catch up early in her career but I have no doubt it will even out a few years into working life. As all those kids who went at things too hard drop out of the workforce to take time to "find themselves." The way to stop the rat race is to get off the track.
Taking AP classes wasn't harder than regular classes in my opinion. All you had to do was take a test and you got college credits. It made things easier once you got to college. I thought it was great. By the time my younger brother came along, they were just sending high school kids to the local community college for class. He thought school was boring so this kept him engaged.
My daughter waited. She took a few community college classes during her junior and senior years, then worked at different jobs after high school. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do after high school. Now she works part time as a supervisor at Starbucks and they pay for her online college. At 22, she has enough credits to be a sophomore. She never took the ACT or SAT.
@@sherryg1838 nice! Going to college without going in debt is rare these days.
lol you "approved"? You sound fun.
My clients ask me what my son is doing this summer. Answer: Nothing, he will play video games and swim.
That's what my boys are doing too!
Hey, we're all only kids for such a short time.
That’s pretty normal in Australia. Maybe add in a week away and a day trip…but not always.
Yup. I have one in the AF doesn't even smoke, but his addiction is video games👍
What I wouldn't give to have a parent like you. I was stuffed into summer classes, summer stem programs, and if I was caught playing games for more than two hours I got yelled at. I just wanted to relax. But instead I had to study all day every day.
And we wonder why there is an epic mental health crisis among teenagers.
As a teenager now, I can confirmi would rather live in past times. Specifically the 80s for the music. I don't care about the internet going back I'd have so much fun roller skating and making my hair fluffy. It would be Hella better
Indeed. the crazy expectations put on kids nowadays with school and every extracurricular is way too much.
My thoughts exactly 💯 American rushed busy lifestyle especially during childhood not okay. Guilty of it, but it's not healthy.
So… it’s not just social media? Who knew?!?
I miss those tiny impractical backpacks 🎒
I was a teenager in the 1970's and summer was a time for swimming, hanging out with my friends and just chillin'. I had the occasional job at the Mall just for some spending cash. This was a time way before computers and video games so my friends and I would play sports with the other neighborhood kids or just traipse through the woods looking to see what we could find. Good times, good times.
This really is a driving force behind children’s stress and trauma, and it’s adult fueled.
Not fueled; MANUFACTURED.
That’s why summer lasted so long . . . ahhh, the joy of hanging out with friends and doing random stuff. And no cell phones-freedom!
Yes!
I was starting my adulting in the 90s, but 80's summer were the bomb!
Da bomb! We were like totally for sure da bomb, dude!
Totally 😅
Like, for sure. I’m actually watching 16 candles right now 😅
Yea this gives me 80 vibes
Missing 90's and 00's summers! It's just not the same when you're constantly glued to technology. The videos are hilarious, as always! 😂🤣
Yes, those were good, but I do the best at keeping my summer memories alive!
Still were. Gameboys, Nintendos, Segas, television, and The Arcade were the big time wasters back then
@@jeanmcgee8603 Yeah right!
My summers were amazing (2000's). Sure, we worked hard at our jobs but after that it was all fun and games. Seems like kids are missing out.
00:58 = "No one is just sitting at home."
Well, except for those two years when the world shutdown, and students took classes at home.
I would have loved to have seen 90s Kim react to that tidbit of history. 😂😂😂
I loved summer to decompress from school. I could let go of the stress and get excited about going back to school in the Fall. As a very young kid, I was outside all day doing something with friends. My mom threatened dusting if I came back in so... I stayed out as long as possible! 😂
Actually did prep for the SAT in the 80’s…. And went to UCBerkeley PDP summer courses. But still had tons of down time. I think the constant “connection” through our devices is what makes us feel so constantly busy. Remember writing multi-page “notes” to your girlfriends because you weren’t allowed to spend hours on the family phone? Or was that just me? 😂
My kids do a mostly 90's summer. They have a few activities, one week long day camp each, and swim lessons, but that is it. My oldest is 13 (14 in sept) and he just gets to hang out with friends and be a kid.
Man I'm glad I spent summer the way I did back in the 80s and 90s. Today's summers sound too stressful. I stressed out enough fighting to be valedictorian and all that. Now older in life I wish I had stressed less and just enjoyed those days and explored more of my options. I remember one summer before I was old enough to get a job I would nap most days while my Mom was gone to work. There was nothing on tv with the Oliver North trial taking over every channel, so I napped. Best summer ever. I'm sure these busier schedules help get them ready for real life, but yeah too much stress.
Its so hard to be a kid now. It frustrates me to no end when older generations give these kids stick for "how easy they've got it" or whatever. They're living in the unflinching gaze of the entire world and inheriting a planet that's actively on fire - I think its important that we give them credit for coping as well as they are. Signed: a very tired Gen X'er.
Amen - fellow Gen Xer here. I allow my kids down time to just hang out. When they were really young, I sent them to a variety of summer camps for fun (not academics) and then we'd go to the pool or watch TV. Down time is not given enough.
Another gen x here. My teen has been counseled by me to take things slower. Like I did. What is the rush to grow up. The stress on kids these days is awful.
@@KellyGreenPhotography I'm giving my younger son space. His older brother took a gap year before college. Best thing ever! My younger one graduated high school and is also taking a gap year because he literally has no idea what he wants and I don't think he wants to "grow up" yet. I get it. He's maturing in many ways, but needs time with college and careers.
People also manipulate the younger generation with lies that they call facts and make them fearful in order to control them. Read the book 1984 and learn to question those who say they are helping and learn to listen to those you have been made to disregard.
@@SRose-vp6ewAgree
Never been so happy to be 40 😂 being a teenager today sounds god awful
Kim, I am incredibly glad you know how hard it is on kids (and on college students). I am really glad that you also remind your kids to relax, because burnout is genuinely a thing! I grew up in the 90s and seeing how ridiculously competitive life is now is a bit sad as a current college student. I think we really have to teach balance.
Ah yes, those relaxed 90's summers...sun screen factor 10 was considered enough (well at least by me haha) spending hours outside, eating tons if ice cream and candy...sigh...again, great video! Lot's of love from the Netherlands ❤
I haven't done much this summer. My son wants to do more, but I can't afford to go do a lot of stuff it gets expensive, and it's so hot out side its hard to just enjoy nature. But we did a staycation , went swimming a few times, went fishing, we are going camping Wednesday, have been visiting family, but mostly watching tv and playing video games this summer.
Always something fun and laugh worthy with the Holderness Family 😂❤😂
Pizza Rolls and roller blading sounds like a productive day to me. This is one of my favorite video from you guys. This brought me back.
Ha! I was just thinking how much I loved that back pack when you called it tiny and impractical. I still use one that small at 44.
Right little backpacks is my purse still to this day 🤗
Yes, except for I'm and 80's and 90's summer girl here. Mostly 80's. I remember both of my parents working in the summer, and my sisters and I stayed home by ourselves...ALL DAY! We went to the beach without a cell phone. Our parents had no way to get a hold of us.
0:40 I was doing SAT prep since 7th grade, lol
And yeah, that AP summer homework was real, even back in the 90s.
So glad I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s.
Summers were amazing back then! I’m still pretty much like this. No expectations and no pressure just have a good time in summer 🌼🌈☀️
I went to high school 10 years ago, and it was already like that, all of my classmates were breaking their back during the summer with extra school work. But I would just be relaxing and so confused. Because I'm like what it's summer, we're supposed to relax.
Of course some of them probably have master's degrees by now. And I'm a community college drop out, but at least I had fun living my life the way I wanted to.
the disappearance of third spaces means most activities are highly monitored and cost money. Loved my 90's summers! :)
The summer I turned 15 I told my mom and dad I was too young to have a job but I'd be available to do some random babysitting. I figured that would give me lots of free time to hang out with my friends, go to the beach etc. Well, last day of school and I come to find out my mom signed me up to be a volunteer camp counselor at the YMCA for the entire summer...lol.
Omg Orange Julius!!! I worked there summer of 85' at 16, for all of 1 day!! Was horrible. I decided next day I didn't feel like showing up. I never got paid for that day and I couldn't care less. Then got a job at Lechters (another chain I don't think exists anymore) and got fired after 3 days because I had to fill out what was essentially a values and honesty questionnaire and I made the mistake if answering it totally honestly. LMAO!!! Finally, got a job in the produce dept at Foodtown (look it up) and got fired after w days because 2 of my buddies came in and started playing long catch with all the fruit!!! Best summer of my life!!!!
I love all these flashbacks to 90s slang 😂😂😂 talk to the hand ✋ 😂
I remember my mom never let me do "nothing" during summer break. She always signed me up for summer school bc she didn't want me to fall behind in school. I was a decent student who got A's and B's but she always told me "this is so you can keep those good grades and don't fall behind"
Cue the Silvian commercials (bass boosted)
I guess she didn't understand that the A and B students work for the C and D students.
@@ramenaddict1676 that's actually when my summer school classes were held. My mom was convinced that I should always be learning. She also had me doing various volunteer work and stuff that would look good on a college application. She read a mom blog that said that college prep should start as kindergarten. Ironically, I never moved past the middle of the pack despite her best efforts. Plus, I only applied for a community college before graduation. I got my associates degree and then went to a state school where I still graduated in the middle of the pack
Ugh that’s so depressing for kids now, lol. My summers were in the 90s and I resonated with so much of that ha ha. Now raising an 11 and 14 year old I try to do as little as possible. A lot of our parent friends are crazy with the travel sports during the summer as well as tryouts for fall travel sports. Yuck. No sports at all for us during the summer and just one or two week long summer camps and that’s it. We all need a mental break before the shit all starts up again in September 😂
One of the few things I am proud of as a parent is that my kids have the space to be bored. Boredom is when creativity happens. Boredom is when growth happens. My kids are still pretty young (early elementary) so I'm sure there will more camps and activities in the future, but I really want to limit it to just one or two, if I can. I am concerned about the consequences of adults who have never learned to be okay without structured activities.
""What time is Jerry Springer on"
"Too soon!"
I DIED 😆😆
Jerry Springer recently died.
@@user-es9mb8wi3m "I died" is a figure of speech
I would never tell anyone how to parent. I will share that I have 3 adult children all in their late 20's who are now deeply analyzing choices made during their childhood (IMO they had a blessed childhood) however, it is their experience that matters, not mine - sharing w/ me about how they are now such anxious adults. So I guess I just fear these extreme expectations put on children (they got them from somewhere) they will realize how it affected them later - just be ready for the backlash and then the guilt.
Tanning with baby oil and sun-in! 😂 This video was so accurate, it gave me flashbacks.
I'm so glad I'm not a teen now (I'm retired) and I don't know I would have handled having kids during this period as the little you shared here, sounds crazy. Nothing wrong with a little productivity during the summer, but the kids are so booked and measured that relaxing is viewed as wasting time. I find that sad.
In the 80s I worked for my folks. At 15 full time as I had to sub for my mom who had surgery for cancer so traumatic but a good summer as folks had NO idea I was 15. It built confidence AND I appreciated Mom's juggling act so much more after that. Super-mom she was!
Awww. So sweet. She truly was.
90s kim is hillarious😂😂 the 80s teenage me has to agree with teen kim though. Summer was for fun! Camping, hiking, going to the beach. Hanging out at the mall or library. Yes, we went to the library for fun! 😮😂.and eating so . Much . Ice-cream!
I miss 90's summers. I want to hang out at the mall all day, drinking Orange Julius, and having absolutely no responsibilities.
Also you should have gotten a flexible pregnancy naval ring. I have no regrets for a 20-year-old belly button ring :)
I have a house full of teenagers and we live the 90’s life. It’s the best 😊
Man we didnt know how good we had it back then. Thanks for remimding us at taking us back. ❤
FYI, summer homework for AP/Honors classes and SAT prep were a thing in the 90s too. I never got a summer off in high school...
Dude! 90’s summer’s WERE the best. We totally hung out all summer, not doing ANY of that stuff kids do today. Man, I feel for them.
Surprised you didn't mention how short Summer break has gotten for kids currently. The county where I reside in Indiana has several school districts and depending on which one you live in summer break is 8 weeks or 10 weeks. We have two school districts starting July 31 this year and the rest start August 7. For most of the '80's my wife and I got out of school the Friday before Memorial Day and didn't go back until the Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day, 12 or 13 weeks for summer. In the '90's for high school and college it did start to vary but summer break never dipped below 11 weeks off.
Here in SW Michigan in the '80s and '90s, we typically finished a week into June and started the Tuesday before Labor Day. My brain is currently unable to process your statement that some schools start in July.
@@kynn23 Makes it even worse when you realize the schools that only got eight weeks were still in school on June 2 this year. But that was what happened this year.
We have all chosen this new life trying to keep up with others. You can fall into this trap or you can mentally say no more and refuse to play into this contrived busy life
80's summers for me.. same with baby oil and sun-in, but replace dunkaroos with pop rocks and AOL with Ms Pacman
Baby oil, Sun-In were absolute must have for summer! Back to school with nearly platinum hair (In spots) and more freckles. Not a good look in my southern California high school but I stuck to it! 😂
I kick my kids out of the house every day at 10 am. That's when I get back from the gym and shut off the TV. They ride their bikes 2 1/2 miles to the pool which opens at 11 am. If they forgot to pack a lunch, I might drop off a PB&J while I'm out running errands. The lifeguards take a break from 2-2:30, so the kids play at the park or lay out on the grass for a bit. Pool closes at 5 and everyone bikes home, or if I'm in the area, I'll pick them up. My two teens work part time at the local diner and use their tips to buy ice cream cones from the coffee shop that's next to the park, for themselves and sometimes for a little sibling. While they are gone, I clean the house, catch up on laundry and dishes, and think blissful, uninterrupted thoughts. It's a good life here in the summer and we all love it 😁
Wish someone would have pushed vegetables to my 90s teen self. I ate so much sugar.
I swam in our pool and laid out on our deck sun bathing. Slept in. Went on family vacations.
Yes. My kid will be a senior next year. Doing almost all of that this summer (internship, a second job for a different career, sports camps, college camps,....) Plus researching and applying for scholarships! Fun times.🎉😂
Do they actually WANT to do that stuff??? My kids are 20, 21 and 23 and all had summer jobs, but they rest of the time was their time to have fun. I wouldn't even let them do the assigned summer homework their high school would give them.
In my 90s summers I read huge stacks of books - all books I wanted to read not assignments! And of course, Sassy magazine.
The 70 summers were absolutely the best!
Penn's musical outro is probably my favorite part of most videos
My daughters are 30 & 32 and tease me they were raised in the '70s😆 I think that's why they're strong and can laugh at the world.
We don’t need to do any of this in Australia aside from good grades. The better the grades/marks in final tests, the better course and uni. No extra curriculars or applications no internships needed. You just put in your top choices and wait for the offers. Short of if you wanted a scholarship, don’t need any of it. But we have an automatic govt loan for uni that you only have to pay back once you start earning a certain about after graduation.
Great video. In the 90s, cool chicks like Kim didn’t know I existed, but guys like me could dream.
you need to do Penn's version of 90's summer vs today!!!
90's teen: You got smokes????
Shout out to Wet Seal!! Loved that store ❤😢
Sun-in. Omg. Me too!
Thanks for the memories! Love these flashbacks. We're the same age.
The mini backpack is back ❤
This is spot 🎯on!!! Kids now have so much pressure!!
Why does my mind expect 90s Kim to be a separate person that's going to be standing next to present day Kim after the sketch ends?
Sun In, Baby oil and iodine...good times, good times.
❤ that 90s outfit!
I'm a Gen Xer who doesn't have kids... watching this video was eye-opening. I worked in the snack bar serving hot dogs at my pool at 14. My 14 year old niece on the other hand, went to camp at college, lived in the dorms and worked on service projects and leadership skills. Yes...Service and Leadership Camp.
Wow the 90s memories came back.
Im 40.
This was so fun to watch.
We are there! We have tutoring for math and spanish, we are taking a class on completing college applications- and momma is tired!
A. realizing that Kim is also 47 makes me feel a bit validated. B. My honors student with dual enrollment classes in the fall, I let just vegetate this summer. No real expectations, just giving her some time to help her find herself is just as important as academic achievement.
Plus, this is near the end of her childhood. They have their entire lives to stress and worry, let them be kids. (PS, they still need chores.LOL)
At this point, Kim is totally unphased by her younger self showing up, lol
FRICK! Seriously! My son is the same grade as Lola and I also missed the college camp. It’s a thing?! He took an AP class last year that had a summer assignment and he’s also taking other electives over the summer to get them out of the way so he can do yet other electives later on. And yet they’ll still be required to do a million other things that were not required by anyone else before them. This generation needs a nap.
My summer vacation is currently consisting of 40 hrs of an internship, 8 week college English course, 10 week college math course, a summmer job and my brain is broken. I truly think our parents actually had it better than us. I live at the jersey shore 2 blocks away from the beach I haven’t been to the boardwalk or beach in years now bc summer vacation is too busy.
Wow! Can you schedule one day this summer as a Beach Day? Or do homework near there if you can?
70s summers were fun !
I love the patterns and colours of your top / dress.
I remember teaching myself to juggle one week in the summer when my sister was away at camp and I was bored. Unscheduled time is when you do stuff you remember later. ❤
Yep my summers were spent sunbathing with Sun-In in my hair and going to every summer movie. The best of times!
Love your clever videos and the clever songs by your talented hubby
My kid didn't do any of those things graduated and got into a university don't put to much pressure on em and she worked all through highschool . Give them a chance to chill or they will have a breakdown . She just graduated this year .
70’s summer says: Hold my beers
Wow, still the 90’s here in the Netherlands I guess. Summer vacation is only 6 to 7 weeks and half of it we are going on vacation but the other 3 the kids are just sleeping in, going to the beach and just relax😎
Bring back 90’s vibes!!
Ahhh the sun in! 😅 my poor hair 😅
60's summers - badminton and riding bikes, continuing my violin lessons, mowing the lawn & clipping around the trees, going to the pool, reading a lot, volunteering, family beach vacation. Last summer, got a job. If you think this sounds marvelous - it was! Oh yeah - end of the summer, band camp!!!!
Sounds like my baby boomer summers ! We had chores at home , summer jobs , etc. - a great mix of responsibility , time off , family 'n friends time . The best of times !!💙
@@cynthiajohnston424 Right! Great memories! And I had forgotten church, babysitting, going to see the grandparents.
and one of my chores was burning the trash! Haha, that dates me!
@@marthahancock7938 Yes ! After " work " , we were pretty much " free range " kids & knew the rules & limitations like be home on time , call if you change where you're going , etc. We were busy being kids yet learning to be adults along the way .
@@marthahancock7938 This dates me ... Just talked w/ a friend my age about not finding kids to hire ( good money offered ! ) to put up hay - too hard ? work outside ? get dirty ? 🤨 Bucking bales is character building !!! 😂
I'm a 48 year old Kim and my mom wouldn't let us have Dunkaroos either. I contemplated getting a bellybutton ring for 3 whole years and then didn't. Too big of a commitment. 😂
90's Gnomie had fake tattoos as a teenager. Age 50 Gnomie has 3 real tattoos and I was 43 before I got my first one. I played softball all summer so I would continue to hone my skills from High School Softball. Definitely different than when we were teenagers. My Great Niece Chloe is starting her teen years - the kid knows 7 foreign languages. She also is training to be a Olympic Swimmer.
A+ video!
Great costumes and awesome pop culture references!
Class of 97 here, it’s all true 😂 We had it so good!
I was a teenager in the 90s (born in 80) but my dad was super strict and had a hard work ethic which he inflicted on me so I never had an empty summer as a teen. The summer right before middle school I was a full blown nanny to a toddler and small child dawn to sometimes 10pm ( illegal now I know). In summer when I was about 18 I had 3 jobs simultaneously and while moving (one was an internship)…he also never accepted anything less than an A+ from me and often volunteered me community projects alongside whatever else I had going on…long story short…I can relate to what kids today are going through…it’s rough though. ❤
Summers in the 70s - beach every day, rode my moped all over town, weekend bonfires on the beach, part-time job - oh hey, that all sounds good!
I love this. I also miss your son's laugh at the end of your videos.
Keep em coming ❤