1. Being the Human TV Remote
Once upon a time, changing the channel required actual legs and a willingness to sprint across the living room. Kids were summoned the second Dad wanted to see what else was on, even if the current show was only thirty seconds in. It was understood that you stood there holding the dial until further instructions arrived. Sometimes you were also asked to adjust the rabbit ears for better reception.
Remote controls quietly ended this power struggle overnight. Suddenly the couch became command central, and kids were no longer needed for channel surfing. The job disappeared so fast it barely had time to be missed. Today it sounds completely ridiculous that this was ever considered a chore. But for many kids, it was a nightly responsibility.
2. Rewinding VHS Tapes
Watching a movie used to come with a post viewing assignment. Whoever watched last was expected to rewind the tape before returning it or putting it back on the shelf. Forgetting meant annoyed parents and sometimes a lecture about responsibility. Kids were often reminded before the credits even finished rolling.
DVDs and streaming wiped this chore out completely. There was no tape to rewind and no reason to worry about the next viewer. The sound of a VCR whirring became a relic of another era. Now the idea of physically resetting a movie feels oddly formal. Most kids today have never even seen a rewind warning label.
3. Delivering Phone Messages
Before caller ID and voicemail, kids often served as household receptionists. You were expected to answer the phone politely and write down messages accurately. Missed details could cause real family confusion later. Parents trusted kids with surprisingly important information.
Voicemail systems made this chore unnecessary almost immediately. Messages were recorded clearly and played back on demand. There was no more scrambling to find a pen or remember names. Kids were relieved of the pressure of playing secretary. The home phone became much quieter for everyone.
4. Adjusting the Antenna
Getting a clear TV picture was a team effort. One person stood by the screen while another climbed onto furniture to move the antenna just right. Kids were usually the ones twisting and turning metal rods. You had to freeze when the picture finally looked good.
Cable television and streaming made antennas obsolete. Reception issues became someone else’s problem entirely. The phrase “don’t move” lost its television related meaning. Kids were no longer needed to stand awkwardly with arms raised. The living room became far less stressful.
5. Sorting Physical Mail
Kids once helped separate junk mail from important letters. This meant recognizing envelopes, stamps, and official looking logos. Parents trusted kids to put bills in one pile and catalogs in another. It was a small but regular task.
Email and paperless billing quietly erased this job. Mail piles shrank and sometimes disappeared altogether. Kids no longer had daily envelope duty. The excitement of flipping through mail faded away. Now physical mail feels like an occasional event instead of a routine.
6. Setting the VCR Clock
Power outages turned this into a surprisingly common chore. Kids were often recruited to fix the blinking 12:00 on the VCR. It usually involved confusing buttons and trial and error. Getting it right felt like a small victory.
Modern devices update time automatically. There is no blinking clock demanding attention anymore. Kids are no longer responsible for household timekeeping. The frustration of setting it wrong is a thing of the past. Many adults still remember the struggle vividly.
7. Looking Up Phone Numbers
Finding a phone number used to require a physical phone book. Kids were sent to hunt down numbers for relatives, pizza places, or schools. It meant flipping through thin pages and hoping the listing was still accurate. Speed mattered when someone was waiting to make a call.
Smartphones ended this chore instantly. Phone numbers are now searchable in seconds. Kids no longer memorize area codes or last names. The phone book itself has nearly vanished. What once felt essential now feels prehistoric.
8. Returning Movie Rentals
Renting a movie came with responsibility. Kids were often tasked with remembering to return tapes on time. Late fees were a serious concern and forgetting caused family frustration. Dropping them in the slot felt oddly important.
Streaming eliminated this entire process. Movies no longer have due dates or physical locations. Kids do not worry about fines or return times. The video store chore disappeared quietly. Many kids today have never experienced it at all.
9. Manually Recording TV Shows
If you wanted to watch something later, someone had to program the VCR. Kids were often chosen because they were quicker with buttons. Recording at the wrong time meant missing the show entirely. It felt like high stakes scheduling.
On demand viewing made this chore unnecessary. Shows wait patiently until you are ready. Kids are no longer responsible for taping anything. The fear of missing an episode is mostly gone. That anxiety belonged to another era.
10. Developing Film Photos
Kids sometimes helped pick up photos or organize printed pictures. Waiting days to see results required patience. Sorting blurry shots from good ones was part of the process. It made memories feel tangible and earned.
Digital photography erased this chore completely. Photos are instant and endless. Kids no longer wait or organize physical prints. Albums became digital folders instead. The entire rhythm of photo taking changed.
11. Typing School Papers on a Typewriter
Writing assignments once meant careful typing and correction fluid. Kids learned to plan ahead because mistakes were messy. Re typing entire pages was not uncommon. It taught patience whether you liked it or not.
Word processors ended this chore forever. Editing became simple and forgiving. Kids no longer fear typos the same way. Writing became more flexible and less stressful. The sound of keys hitting paper faded away.
12. Carrying Groceries Because There Was No Delivery
Kids helped unload groceries every single trip. Heavy bags meant multiple trips from the car. Forgetting something meant going back to the store. It was a regular expectation.
Online grocery delivery changed this routine. Groceries arrive at the door now. Kids are no longer automatic bag carriers. The task still exists but is far less frequent. Convenience quietly replaced effort.
13. Cleaning Cassette Tapes
Cassette players occasionally ate tapes, and someone had to fix them. Kids carefully wound tape back into place using pencils. It required patience and steady hands. Saving a favorite tape felt heroic.
Digital music eliminated this problem entirely. Songs no longer tangle or snap. Kids do not rescue media anymore. The pencil trick is mostly forgotten. Music became much less fragile.
14. Being the Family Alarm Clock
Before phones were everywhere, kids sometimes woke parents for work. This was especially true if kids woke earlier for school. Forgetting could throw off the entire morning. It was a surprisingly serious responsibility.
Smartphone alarms ended this chore completely. Everyone sets their own wake up time now. Kids are no longer responsible for adults being on schedule. Morning routines became more independent. The job vanished without ceremony.