In a world of endless screen time battles, social media trends, and after-school schedules packed to the brim, I’ve found myself making small but intentional changes to my parenting style. My daughter is almost 7, and while I know the world around us has changed drastically in the last two decades, my parenting approach to raising her feels a bit like stepping back into the early 2000s—when childhood felt just a little slower, a little freer, and a whole lot simpler.
For me, it’s not about rejecting modern parenting tools or pretending we live in another era. It’s not about being “different” or “better than.” We’re pretty much just your average family. We have tablets and streaming apps, and I love the convenience of ordering dinner online when the week gets hectic. But instead of getting lost in the day-to-day, I try to have the rhythm of our family life feel more like 2003 than 2025—and honestly, it’s great.
Walking is our main mode of transportation
Living in an urban area just outside of New York City means that walking is part of our daily lives, but it’s more than just a way to get from place to place—it’s how we connect. We walk to school, to the library, to the park, and sometimes to grab ice cream after dinner. These walks give us unstructured time together to talk about our days, notice the little things around us, and move at a pace that feels human.
Back in the early 2000s, not every moment of childhood was scheduled or optimized. Uber and Lyft didn’t exist, so if a place was within walking distance, we walked.
Walking everywhere in our town keeps us grounded in that slower pace, one where we’re not rushing from one structured activity to the next without a breath in between.
Screen time is still a treat
There’s no denying that screens are everywhere now, but in our house, they haven’t taken over. At least not yet. My daughter has limited screen time during the week—maybe a short show while I’m making dinner or a weekend movie night—but it’s not the default way we pass the time.
When I was a kid in the early 2000s, TV time felt special. There wasn’t an endless menu of content to scroll through. You waited for your favorite show to come on or for Friday night movie rentals. We try to recreate that feeling of anticipation. Our Friday family movie nights are a big event—complete with themed foods, cozy blankets, and dimmed lights. It’s something we all look forward to, not just background noise on a Tuesday afternoon.
Homework happens first
One of the hallmarks of my own childhood—and one I’ve carried into my parenting—is doing homework right after school. It’s a habit that just works for us. We get home, grab a snack, and dive right into it while the school day is still fresh in her mind. While this sounds ideal, I should also add that it doesn’t look like this every school night. It’s really only three nights a week, when we actually get to be home after school.
In the early 2000s, routines like this felt normal and non-negotiable. Homework was done before play, and it made free time afterward feel truly free. Once her assignments are finished, my daughter can head to a playdate, go outside, or relax, knowing the hard part of the day is behind her.
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We still go to the mall
Yes, online shopping is convenient, but there’s something magical about going to the mall that I refuse to give up. When I was a kid in the early 2000s, weekends at the mall were an event: walking store to store, browsing new releases at the bookstore, grabbing Auntie Anne’s or dinner in the food court—and maybe convincing my parents to let me pick something small to take home.
So, my daughter and I still make mall trips. We don’t always buy much, but it’s about the experience—trying on clothes, flipping through books together, smelling soaps at Bath & Body Works, and sharing a snack at the food court. It’s a little piece of nostalgia that feels just as fun now as it did 20 years ago.
Playdates and outdoor time are priorities
Growing up, my afternoons were spent running around the neighborhood with friends, and I want my daughter to have a similar experience—even in a city-adjacent setting where things are a bit more structured. We make time for plenty of playdates, and unstructured outdoor play is non-negotiable. Outdoor time gives her space to use her imagination and burn off energy without the constant buzz of technology or scheduled activities. It feels like the free-range fun of my own childhood, even if I’m nearby keeping an eye on things.
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Throwbacks are part of our family culture
Our home isn’t just filled with new toys, shows, and books—we revisit a lot of classics. My daughter knows the joy of watching “old-school” early 2000s movies I grew up loving, reading books that have stood the test of time, and listening to music that takes me back to my middle school days.
The early 2000s may not have been that long ago, but revisiting the pop culture of that time gives us a shared connection across generations. Plus, it helps keep some of the high-speed, always-on nature of modern media at bay—we slow down to enjoy things that don’t require constant updates or endless scrolling. Which leads me to #7.
Read More: 35+ of the Best Early 2000s Kids Movies to Stream Now
My kiddo doesn’t have social media, though she’s already asking for it. Sometimes, of course, I show her things from family and friends, but the concept of having her own account is lightyears away. I just can’t see any good coming from it.
Some of her friends in the dance and theater world have accounts managed by their moms, and while I can see why (for gigs, opportunities, modeling, etc.), I’m just not ready. My private accounts will just have to do for now. And for a while longer. (But talent agents, feel free to HMU.)
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Family traditions matter
Pizza Fridays, Saturday morning breakfast delivery, Thursday night dinners at our neighborhood pub—these little rituals hold us together. Life today can feel fragmented, with so many competing demands for our time, but the early 2000s pace of parenting reminds me to lean into the simple, predictable, and reliable joys of family traditions.
These recurring moments are the highlights of our week. They give my daughter something to look forward to and create memories that will last far longer than any trending YouTube video or app she might outgrow next year.
We keep things slow
Maybe the biggest way I’m parenting like it’s the early 2000s is simply this: we slow down. We don’t overschedule. We walk instead of drive when we can and have quiet evenings at home. And we give space for boredom, knowing it often leads to creativity.
The world tells parents today to do more, be more, give more. But I think there’s value in doing a little less—giving my daughter a childhood that isn’t always optimized, digitized, or fast-tracked, but one that’s full of small, meaningful moments.
Parenting in 2025 doesn’t have to mean constant screens, nonstop activities, or a pace that leaves everyone exhausted. By leaning on some early 2000s parenting vibes—less tech, more face-to-face time, family traditions, and a slower pace—I’m hoping to give my daughter a childhood that feels grounded and joyful. While the world around us keeps racing ahead, I think sometimes the best way forward is with a little inspiration from the past.
Read More: I’m Parenting My Kids Like It’s the ‘90s—Here’s How
Erin Celletti, Contributing Writer
Erin is an NYC-based writer with a BA in Journalism from Quinnipiac University and two master’s degrees in education. She is a proud mama to a little girl and a lifestyle, beauty, wellness, and trends reports writer. Beyond The Everymom, Erin’s editorial work has been featured in publications like Bustle, Allure, Byrdie, The Everygirl, TeenVogue, BRIDES, Sunday Edit, and TODAY.
