During long family road trips, there were no electronics to keep everyone entertained. Families resorted to songs and games. Of course, after a while, this would get a little tiresome and the kids would need a rest.
Where would they do it? They would take a nap in the little nook up above the back seat, right by the car’s rear window. If strapping kids in wasn’t enough of a disaster, this was just too much.
Pox Parties
Before vaccines came around, kids had to be intentionally exposed to a slew of infectious diseases. Most commonly, these 'parties' were held for Chicken Pox and Measles, sometimes Mumps and Rubella were thrown in there too for good measure.
People saw it as inevitable, and just did what they could to 'get it over with'. Fortunately, kids recovered quickly and developed immunities. At least we have vaccines now. They have helped a lot.
Girls Would Damage Their Hair
Painful hair rollers, peroxide that would burn the scalp and dry out hair, and even actual irons that you would use for your clothes. These were the things that girls would use for their precious hair.
Hairstyling for women sometimes resembled medieval torture methods. The term "beauty is pain" was in use then more than ever.
Not Letting Girls Get Rough
Little girls like to run wild too! But if you grew up in the 1960s and you were a girl, you were probably stuffed in dresses, handed little dolls, strollers, and Easy Bake Ovens. That wasn't for everyone.
As we see today, many little girls love climbing trees and playing with trucks and toy guns.
Hazardous Toys
Toys have evolved over the years. At one point, all that was available to kids were scattered stones outside. Luckily, in the 60s, there wasn't a toy shortage, it was just the types of toys, toys that caused a lot of damage.
Toys like the tire swing would cause untold stories of whiplash, Jarts were giant darts for the yard and of course, BB guns and cap guns caused some horrifying injuries. Luckily, many safety measures have since been introduced and playing with toy guns is pretty discouraged.