Every generation criticizes the ones that come after for not doing things “right.” And when it comes to parenting, you can add a whole other layer of judgment on to that.

But from questionable child-rearing decisions to marketers telling parents to give their kids soda “for their health,” it’s a wonder our species even managed to survive until the 21st century.

Take a stroll down memory lane with these 20 photos that are simply hard to believe.

1. Sparkle hazard (1985)

Back in this guy’s day, you could just give your kids a lit sparkler and hope for the best.

Nevermind that they can burn at over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s how you make kids hearty, right?

For good measure, make sure you have a cigarette hanging from your mouth around your infant as well. Sorry, but we already knew smoking caused cancer in 1985.

Cool midriff though, dad.

2. The original of the mom seatbelt (1958)

Well here’s a thing we didn’t know. These old car seats required the driver to throw out their arm to stop a baby from flying out of their seat.

So when your mom clotheslines you in the passenger seat, she’s just working off of old school instinct!

3. Growing like a weed (1972)

These parents decided to take their infant to a California marijuana initiative rally. In a cardboard box.

Even in states where marijuana is legal, you can’t smoke around kids due to the second-hand high they get from the smoke.

4. Learning to ride a bike (1962)

Here’s a baby in a motorcycle child’s seat enjoying his dad’s Harley-Davidson somewhere in New Jersey.

This was before helmets and safety were invented, apparently.

5. Budweiser baby (1978)

Toddlers will put anything in their mouths, even beer.

It’s nice of mom to hold the can up to the baby’s face. You wouldn’t want to spill it.

Or we could give her the benefit of the doubt and hope it’s closed and the cold can is being used to soothe a teething baby.

6. Momma needs a smoke break (1978)

Anyone who grew up beginning in the late 80s and early 90s is bound to be shocked by the sheer number of places people were allowed to smoke (such as literally anywhere).

This mom just delivered her baby and is not enjoying a cigarette and roasted chicken in a Canadian hospital.

Hey, it was a rough day.

7. Child safety (1952)

Check out yet another vintage safety seat.

How did kids even survive car rides back in the day?!

8. Bar fly (early 1980s)

This isn’t all that rare now either, but it is annoying to those of us who want to enjoy an adult space in peace.

But sometimes mommy and daddy need to throw a few back and can’t find a sitter.

The “Help Stop Child Abuse” sign in the back is a nice touch. Let’s just hope he didn’t get his own martini.

9. Infant air travel (1950s)

How did this not catch on?! Just make those soundproof and problem solved, right?

No more infant nuisances onboard planes!

Hey, it has a net – what could possibly go wrong?

10. You’ll shoot your eye out (est 1940s)

Well, things are certainly different nowadays.

But if you are going to teach your kids to shoot, it seems like waiting until they’re old enough to read might be a good idea.

11. What the…? (date unknown but it’s insane no matter when it was taken)

Is that crib covered in…guns?

There are other ways of chasing away the Bogey Man.

12. Strangling or swimming lesson? (1930s)

Back in the good old days, parents apparently just tied a noose to their kids and hung them off fishing poles until they learned to swim.

Is this better or worse than being thrown into the deep end and forced to wing it?

13. Wholesome bottle of sugar (1940s)

We can’t help but feel for the mom who was told to give her baby a bottle of sugar and corn syrup and then deal with him or her for the rest of the day.

Hey, at least it’s caffeine-free.

14. Bear minimum parenting (date unknown)

The person who posted this to Reddit didn’t know the backstory, only that her mother-in-law rode a bear at some point when she was around 2 years old.

Because, hey, why not?

15. That poor tiger (1970s)

We really feel for the tiger here.

At least the kid got out alive.

16. Don’t feed the bears (date unknown, but no, that’s not Larry Bird)

This bear looks like it’s saying “hey, you gonna eat that baby?”

Luckily, the poster was once the baby in that pic, so we know he made it. Hopefully, he also learned a healthy respect for wild animals later in life.

And yes, that’s a bear cub, so you know mom is nearby.

17. Baby balcony (1920s/30s)

Live in a city and don’t want to take your baby outside to play?

Just attach a shoddy-looking gate to your window and let them shake it and until they’re tired.

At least they won’t be afraid of heights when they grow up.

18. Toddler with a stogie (1958)

At this point, the open flame of the lighter is more dangerous since the cigar is either backward or uncut – but we’re certainly not complaining that this kid can’t light it.

19. A pipe AND a gun (1940)

This child of a coal miner was clearly not living in ideal conditions.

But this is next level danger.

20. No one looks happy (1963)

All bets are off when the circus comes to town.

How many children do you think have been mauled by animals kept in poor conditions over the years?

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It’s really a wonder that humans survived as a species after the dangerous things we let kids do through the years!

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