Mid-Century Parenthood

Have you guys heard of Kinder MODERN, the newest NYC-based gallery showcasing vintage children’s design from the past century? It’s this flea market-loving mama’s dream destination, filled to the brim with interesting artifacts of childhoods before us. I always find it so intriguing to see how parenthood has changed throughout the decades – how quickly the spreading of information and cultural trends can transform a collective mindset, and how really, we’re no further along than we were years ago.

Perhaps I’m feeling thinky today, but here’s what I glean from the above furniture: life goes on. The same sweet babies who squirmed in the chairs above are now parents and grandparents themselves, navigating new trends and new cultural obsessions when really, we’re all just trying to do the best we can with what we’ve got.

My mother was an avid hitch-hiker as a teen, and my husband’s grandmother slept in her mother’s underwear drawer as a baby. And although the idea of either of those scenarios makes my blood pressure skyrocket, they both survived their childhood to live long and happy and prosperous lives, free from serial killers or infant strangulation from a brassiere strap. 

None of us really know what we’re doing, do we? We can read the books or even write the books, but in the end – the world changes with every spin of its axis. I’m not interested in catching up (and let’s be honest, am too focused on trying to catch this baby from jumping off the dining room table).

Here’s to you and your littles, whatever books you read or chairs they climb or philosophy you believe. You’re doing great.

Product Images: Kinder MODERN