8 Things Boomers Wish They Had Growing Up

Before there were smartphones that could nearly read your mind, on-demand streaming platforms where you can find any show and movie at the tap of a button and same-day delivery options, there was the world that boomers grew up in. A world completely unlike the modern world. Many boomers look back on their childhoods with an acute awareness that something was missing. Some things just weren’t available, thought of, or even imagined at that time. Today’s world offers tools and resources that previous generations didn’t have access to, and many boomers openly wish they had. Here are eight things Boomers say would’ve made growing up a little bit easier, more fun, healthier, and in general, simply better.

1. Therapy as a normal option.

Most boomers were raised with the notion that therapy was looked at as something you turn to as a completely last resort when something terrible had happened or your life had fallen apart. Boomers grew up with a silent expectation to cope quietly regardless of how overwhelmed, anxious or unhappy they felt. But, looking back, many boomers wish therapy had been normalised as a great tool for a healthy life and not seen as a last resort. Now we know having a neutral safe space to talk through stress, relationships, grief, and anything else earlier on in life could have prevented years of silent struggles and emotional suppression.

2. The ability to change careers without stigma.

For many boomers, choosing a career early on felt like you were making a very important and permanent decision. Changing paths later on in life was often viewed as failure, which means that many people stayed in unfulfilling jobs that drained them. Starting over carried a strong sense of shame and judgement. But, looking back, boomers often wish they had had the freedom to reinvent their careers like people do now. They could have found more fulfilling careers and possibly led happier, more content work lives. 

3. Healthy communication tools.

Countless boomers grew up without being taught how to communicate emotions, set boundaries, talk about the hard stuff, or even healthy ways to deal with conflict. Once they reflect on their lives and the enormous changes in the world, most boomers agree that having healthy communication tools growing up could have been very helpful in many areas of life, from stronger relationships to less resentment and deeper connections.

4. More diverse role models.

Boomers in the present day can’t help but feel they would have greatly benefited had they been exposed to more diverse role models like the world has now. There was a limited range of race, gender, lifestyle, etc. in the public eye, making those who didn’t fit the mould feel misunderstood, out of place and lacking that cosy feeling of belonging. More diverse role models could have expanded what people thought to be possible. It could have been an invitation to dream differently. While everyone can be grateful that the media has taken many steps to improve diversity, boomers still wish they had had this very same world when they were growing up.

5. Permission to live life on their own timeline.

This generation that was raised before therapy was seen as normal was also raised to live life on a strict and uncompromising timeline. This usually meant: graduate, get married, buy a house, have children, remain in one career, retire. Often in that very order. People didn’t do what they wanted when they wanted simply because that’s what they wanted for their own life. They followed the order. Falling behind or doing things differently was viewed as failure. But boomers can’t help but imagine what their lives would have been like had they had the freedom that young people do now. The freedom to design and cultivate your own life exactly as you see fit. It could have been life-changing.

6. Clear boundaries with employers.

Our parents’ and grandparents’ generations were taught that being loyal to their boss was a good thing that would bring them stability, security, and respect. People often thought it was ungrateful or dangerous to say no, set limits, or put their personal life ahead of their work. In reality, this way of thinking made a lot of people work too hard, give up time with their families and health, and stay in jobs that weren’t good for them anymore. Setting clear, respected boundaries with employers and knowing it was okay to protect their time, energy, and health could have stopped them from getting burnt out and helped them see work as just one part of life, not the whole thing.

7. The knowing that rest wasn’t meant to be earned.

Many Boomers saw rest as a reward for working hard until they were too tired to do anything else. If you sat still for too long, it meant you were lazy, unmotivated, or wasting time. Boomers often wish they had known sooner that you don’t earn rest by going through hard times. Rest is necessary. It’s vital.  You need it to function. Real rest keeps you from getting burnt out, keeps you healthy, and makes life easier to live. If boomers knew that rest was important and not a sign of weakness, they likely could have saved years of guilt, overwork, and quiet anger.

8. The ability to Google “Is this normal?” instead of quietly panicking.

Before the internet, people often worried and panicked for no reason when they had questions about their bodies, feelings, or life events. Boomers didn’t have instant answers when they were kids, so little problems could seem big. They’ve often wondered what it would have been like if they could have just Googled “Is this normal?” to get quick, reliable information instead of having to guess, overthink, or stress out in silence. Having access to information early on could have saved a lot of worry and doubt about oneself!

The Takeaway

Boomers can look back and feel nostalgic for their idyllic childhood and less “always on” culture, but they’re also looking back and wishing they had some of these things growing up. Growing up with therapy being normal, changing careers being a celebrated milestone and truly seeing oneself represented in the world, they would have had a stronger sense of belonging, stronger connections to loved ones and likely lived a more content, happier life. In the end, there were some good parts of growing up during that time that only boomers had, but there are definitely things that boomers long for when they reminisce. 

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