Every generation likes to think they’ve cracked the parenting code better than the last.
And while Gen Z is growing up in a totally different world than their parents did, not every old-school method needs to be thrown out. In fact, some of the habits boomers passed down are still quietly working, maybe even more than people realise. These practices might seem a bit old-school, but it’s clear that they’re still making a positive difference for younger people today.
1. Teaching basic life skills early on
Boomer parents were big on making sure their kids knew how to handle real-world basics. Things like cooking a simple meal, balancing a chequebook, doing laundry, or fixing a leaky tap weren’t considered extras, they were expected parts of growing up.
For Gen Z, these skills are still incredibly valuable. In a world of apps and automation, knowing how to handle practical tasks without always relying on a screen gives them a major leg up, especially as they step into adulthood faster than ever before.
2. Encouraging independence from a young age
Unlike the helicopter parenting that came later, many boomer parents had a “go figure it out” approach. Kids were encouraged to walk to school, solve problems, and entertain themselves without constant adult supervision.
Gen Z, who often feels the pressure of being constantly observed online, benefits from having those seeds of independence planted early. It gives them more confidence to make decisions, take risks, and trust themselves—skills that are harder to teach later on if they weren’t built young.
3. Valuing hard work over instant results
Boomer parents didn’t sugarcoat the idea that success takes effort. They hammered home the concept that if you wanted something, you worked for it—no shortcuts, no handouts.
While today’s world can feel obsessed with overnight fame or instant gratification, many Gen Z kids raised with this mindset appreciate the quiet power of perseverance. Knowing that real, lasting success often comes from steady work is a perspective that’s helping them in an unpredictable economy.
4. Normalising chores as part of family life
Chores weren’t “extra credit” under Boomer parenting; they were just what you did as part of the household. Cleaning, helping with dinner, raking leaves—everyone pitched in because that’s how families functioned.
That mentality has helped Gen Z approach teamwork, personal responsibility, and even leadership roles with a stronger foundation. Learning early that contributing isn’t optional makes it easier for them to navigate workplaces, relationships, and real-world collaboration later on.
5. Emphasising manners and respect
Boomers placed a big emphasis on basic manners: saying “please” and “thank you,” making eye contact, respecting elders, holding the door open. It might sound old-fashioned, but those small social habits still carry a lot of weight.
In a digital age where so much communication happens through screens, the ability to connect respectfully and warmly in person is a huge advantage for Gen Z, whether it’s during job interviews, first dates, or everyday social situations where kindness still makes a big impact.
6. Letting kids experience boredom without rescuing them
Boomer parents weren’t scheduling every minute of their kids’ days. If you were bored, you found something to do—build a fort, ride your bike, make up a game. They didn’t rush to fix boredom with constant entertainment.
That ability to sit with boredom and turn it into creativity is a hidden superpower for Gen Z today. In a world overflowing with passive entertainment, the skill of making your own fun or starting your own projects is incredibly valuable, and often leads to greater resilience and creativity long term.
7. Teaching the importance of saving money early
Whether it was a piggy bank, a summer job, or stern lectures about not wasting your allowance, boomers tried to teach kids the value of a pound from a young age. Saving wasn’t optional; it was drilled in as common sense.
For Gen Z, growing up with an awareness of budgeting and saving gives them a major advantage in a time when debt, inflation, and cost-of-living pressures are front and centre. The lessons might’ve seemed boring back then, but they’re paying off now in real, practical ways.
8. Encouraging outdoor play and exploration
Source: Unsplash Boomer kids spent hours outside, riding bikes, climbing trees, getting muddy, and learning by doing instead of just hearing about the world. There was freedom to explore and get a few bumps and bruises along the way.
Gen Z kids who were raised with at least some of that outdoor freedom tend to be more resilient, more creative, and more connected to the real world around them. In a time where screen time dominates, that early encouragement to move, explore, and take small risks is a powerful thing to hold onto.
9. Teaching respect for authority without blind obedience
While boomer parents often encouraged respect for teachers, police, bosses, and adults, it wasn’t always about blind obedience. At its best, it was about recognising boundaries while still thinking critically when needed.
For Gen Z, this balance—respecting other people while still asking thoughtful questions—is crucial. They live in a world that demands both respect and activism, and those early lessons can help them navigate complex power dynamics without losing their voice.
10. Emphasising family loyalty and togetherness
Source: Unsplash Sunday dinners, big family holidays, and the general expectation that “family comes first” were cornerstones of Boomer parenting. While not every family dynamic was perfect, that underlying message of sticking together still resonates.
Many Gen Z kids raised with that sense of family loyalty have a deeper appreciation for roots, traditions, and showing up for each other, even as they build more modern, chosen families of their own in a more fluid, diverse world.
11. Encouraging personal accountability early
If you messed up as a kid with boomer parents, chances were you had to own it. Excuses didn’t get you very far, and learning to say, “I made a mistake” wasn’t just encouraged; it was expected.
In adulthood, that early practice pays off massively for Gen Z. Personal accountability—being able to own actions, apologise when needed, and grow from mistakes—is a leadership skill, a relationship skill, and a self-respect skill that never goes out of style.
12. Believing in the power of tough love when necessary
Boomer parenting wasn’t always about being your kid’s best friend. Sometimes, it was about being the person who told you no, pushed you harder, or set limits even when you didn’t like it. Tough love wasn’t cruelty; it was a belief in your potential to do hard things.
Gen Z kids who received healthy doses of that kind of tough love often have stronger boundaries, thicker skin, and greater belief in their own capabilities today. In a world that throws constant challenges their way, knowing how to face discomfort without falling apart is an underrated gift that’s still paying dividends.
