1. Sending Children Through the Mail
Yes, this actually happened. In the early 1900s, some families mailed their children through the U.S. Postal Service to visit grandparents or other relatives. It wasn’t like tossing them in a mailbox—postal workers would escort the kids, and stamps were literally attached to their clothing. The whole idea came from people exploiting a loophole in parcel post regulations that didn’t specifically forbid sending a child shares History.com.
As absurd as it sounds, it was seen as a clever, affordable travel option for working-class families. The practice only lasted a few years before the Post Office officially banned it. Still, it’s hard to imagine a parent today strapping a stamp on their kid’s coat and waving goodbye as a mail carrier whisks them away. It’s equal parts funny and unsettling now, but back then, it was a real solution to a logistical problem adds Smithsonian Magazine.
2. Photographing the Dead
Post-mortem photography was once a tender, meaningful way to preserve a loved one’s memory. Families would pose with deceased relatives—especially children—who were dressed up and made to appear lifelike in the photo. Sometimes their eyes were painted open afterward to create the illusion they were still alive. It may sound eerie, but for families without many photographs, it was often the only image they had of that person says BBC.
These photos were treasured and displayed like any other family portrait. Today, though, it would likely be considered morbid or even disturbing to keep a framed photo of a deceased loved one posed among the living. Modern grieving customs are much more private and sanitized. Still, for people a century ago, this was a heartfelt act of remembrance adds Wikipedia.
3. Dousing Schoolchildren in Cod Liver Oil
If you went to school in the early 20th century, there’s a good chance you were spoon-fed cod liver oil as part of your daily routine. It was believed to promote strong bones and prevent rickets, a real concern at the time. Teachers would line kids up and administer it like medicine, whether they liked it or not. Most didn’t like it—it tasted as awful as you’d imagine.
Today, we have gummy vitamins and flavored supplements, and thankfully no one is holding kids down to force-feed them fish oil. While the health intentions were good, the delivery method was pretty grim. Parents today would raise eyebrows (and probably file a complaint) if a school tried that now. But back then, it was just part of growing up healthy.
4. Having Iceboxes That Needed Daily Ice Delivery
Before refrigerators, iceboxes were the gold standard for keeping food cold. Every day, a deliveryman would haul a big block of ice into your home and plop it into the box. Children loved to chase after the ice truck and snag small shards to suck on like candy. It was a routine part of life, and the iceman was just as essential as the milkman.
Now, of course, we have smart fridges that practically shop for us. The idea of needing someone to deliver ice every single day feels wildly inconvenient. It’s hard to picture anyone welcoming a dripping block of ice through the front door before breakfast. But 100 years ago, that icy ritual was as normal as brushing your teeth.
5. Smoking Around Children—Even at the Doctor’s Office
In the early 1900s, smoking wasn’t just socially acceptable, it was practically fashionable—even in places like hospitals and clinics. Doctors smoked in their offices, and it wasn’t unusual to see a parent light up in the pediatrician’s waiting room. Cigarette ads even claimed that certain brands were recommended by physicians.
Nowadays, we associate secondhand smoke with serious health risks, especially for kids. If a doctor lit a cigarette today, they’d probably lose their license. But a century ago, it was just part of the atmosphere. It’s wild how drastically public health views have shifted, and thank goodness they did.
6. Using Lead-Based Toys and Paint
Bright, colorful toys and wall paints were often laced with lead in the early 20th century. It was cheap and effective for pigmentation, but no one knew—or admitted—how toxic it was. Kids chewed on lead-painted blocks and lived in rooms coated in it, unknowingly absorbing a dangerous substance. Even baby cribs were sometimes painted with it.
Today, there are strict safety regulations and product recalls if a toy contains even trace amounts of lead. The idea of handing a child something coated in it would send most parents into a panic. But back then, it was business as usual. It’s a sobering reminder of how far safety standards have come.
7. Letting Toddlers Play Alone Outside
In many neighborhoods 100 years ago, it wasn’t odd to see a 3-year-old wandering around outdoors by themselves. Children had an incredible amount of independence, even at very young ages. Moms might be inside cooking or doing laundry, trusting the neighborhood to look out for the little ones. And honestly, the kids loved the freedom.
Now, you’d probably get a visit from child protective services if your toddler was spotted alone at the park. Parenting norms have swung toward hyper-vigilance, and the “free-range kid” approach is rare. Still, many older adults remember those solo adventures with fondness. It’s just hard to replicate in today’s more cautious world.
8. Drinking Beer or Wine with Meals—Even for Kids
Believe it or not, children in some households used to drink watered-down wine or beer with their meals. It was viewed as a digestive aid or simply a cultural norm, especially among immigrant families. Clean drinking water wasn’t always reliable, so alcohol seemed like a safer option. No one batted an eye at it.
Today, we’d call that child endangerment. While some European countries still have relaxed attitudes about alcohol at family dinners, in the U.S., it would be a huge red flag. But 100 years ago, it was just part of the dinner table ritual. Cultural shifts and better public health education changed all that.
9. Bathing Once a Week
Back in the early 1900s, Saturday night was bath night. That’s right—one bath a week, usually shared among siblings using the same water. Hot water was a luxury, and indoor plumbing wasn’t available in every home. People stayed clean-ish with sponge baths or by washing just their hands and faces during the week.
Nowadays, daily showers are the norm, and skipping a few days might get you some side-eye. But for folks back then, once a week was plenty. You dressed neatly and powdered up, and no one really noticed. It’s a habit that feels foreign today but made perfect sense in its time.
10. Dueling as a Way to Settle Disputes
Though rare by the 1920s, the concept of challenging someone to a duel still lingered in certain circles. It was seen as an honorable way to resolve slights, especially among men with a flair for the dramatic. While pistols at dawn sound like something from the movies, there were real cases well into the 20th century. Honor culture ran deep, even if laws technically banned the practice.
Today, we settle disagreements with lawsuits, not weapons. The idea of shooting someone over an insult would be considered ridiculous—and illegal—by any modern standard. But in certain communities 100 years ago, that kind of showdown wasn’t entirely out of the question. It’s a dramatic tradition that feels more like fiction now.
11. Reusing Funeral Flowers for Home Decor
Floral arrangements from funerals were often brought home and used as decorations afterward. Flowers were expensive, and people didn’t waste them. Vases from services would end up on dining room tables or bedroom dressers, still fragrant but with a morbid backstory. It wasn’t seen as creepy—just economical and respectful.
Today, that practice might be considered ghoulish or at least emotionally difficult. Most people want to leave grief at the cemetery, not carry it home in a vase. But in the early 1900s, life and death were more intertwined. Reusing those flowers was both a tribute and a practical choice.
12. Boys Wearing Dresses Until Age 6 or 7
It was completely normal for young boys to wear dresses or gowns until they were about six years old. The clothing made diaper changes easier, and it wasn’t seen as gendered at all. Families often passed down baby clothes regardless of sex, and there were even formal portraits of boys in frilly outfits. No one thought twice about it.
Today, gender norms are much more strictly defined—even for infants. A boy in a dress might get comments or stares, even if it’s just for a photo shoot. But 100 years ago, it was the norm, not a statement. It’s a funny example of how our ideas of childhood and gender have evolved.
13. Calling Strangers “Aunt” or “Uncle”
In many communities, it was polite for children to call adult family friends “Aunt” or “Uncle” even if there was no actual relation. It was a way to show respect and build a sense of extended family. Neighbors, church members, and coworkers were often given honorary titles. It created a warm, communal atmosphere.
Nowadays, that would probably confuse kids—or prompt questions about how everyone’s related. We’ve moved toward using first names or formal titles like “Mr.” and “Ms.” But that old habit gave kids a feeling of belonging in a much wider circle. It’s sweet, even if it might feel outdated now.