In a surprising twist, parents in 2025 are ditching the hyper-digital, over-scheduled approach to child-rearing and turning back the clock to the simpler days of the 1990s. From free-range play to limited screen time, the retro parenting style is gaining traction—and experts say it might be exactly what today’s children need.
The Appeal of 90s Parenting
Parents today are overwhelmed by the pressure to optimise every aspect of their child’s life—educational apps, structured extracurriculars, and constant digital monitoring. But many are now questioning whether this approach is truly beneficial. Instead, they’re revisiting the more relaxed, hands-off methods of the 1990s, where children had more independence and less screen dependency.
Less Tech, More Play
One of the biggest shifts is the reduction in screen time. While tablets and smartphones once dominated playtime, parents are now encouraging outdoor play, board games, and unstructured creativity—just like in the pre-digital era. Studies suggest this fosters better problem-solving skills and emotional resilience.
Why Nostalgia Works
For millennial parents, the 1990s represent a golden age of childhood—riding bikes until dusk, playing outside with friends, and minimal adult supervision. Now, they’re replicating that experience for their own kids, believing it leads to happier, more well-rounded development.
What Experts Say
Child psychologists support this shift, noting that excessive structure and digital immersion can stifle creativity and independence. A return to 90s-style parenting, they argue, allows children to develop critical life skills naturally.
Could this be the beginning of a long-term trend? For now, parents are embracing the past to build a healthier future for their children.
