11 Reasons '90s Kids Make The Best Moms

For most kids who grew up in the '90s, the majority of their learning and homework wasn't done on a computer or with the help of a quick Google search. School projects meant library books, trips to the arts and crafts store for supplies, and if they didn't know how to do something, they got help from real-life people. Now, with kids of their own, these moms are a wealth of knowledge and resources for learning and exploring hands-on and Wi-Fi off.

Before Snapchat and texting, there was this crazy thing called "talking to friends in person." I know, it sounds crazy, right? Well the social skills these '90s kids built by making, maintaining, and mending friendships face-to-face means that their communication game is pretty much on point. Their kids will be lucky to have a mom to talk to whenever social issues arise.

Whether it was the Earth Day-loving character Dawn in The Babysitter's Club or the groundbreaking skateboarder Tony Hawk, '90s kids were inspired to get up and go outside. Though iPads definitely have their perks during long car rides, you know that '90s kids won't shy away from being active and involved with their kids outdoors.

Ah, the Golden Age of PBS when a kid could watch Reading Rainbow, Bill Nye The Science Guy, Zoom, and Wishbone. The unifying theme of all these shows? Reading and a love of knowledge. There wasn't anything you couldn't learn or explore through books. So these '90s kids will definitely instill an appreciation for reading.

As I mentioned earlier, '90s kids had to deal with the infuriating slow speeds of dial-up internet. They also took vacations and road trips without movie players in the backs of headrests. If their favorite song was on the radio, it required impeccable timing to record it. The same goes for a movie or TV show requiring a VHS tape and a paper TV Guide. In short, '90s moms will surely be able to teach their children the value of waiting for something and the lost art of patience.

Though feminism certainly wasn't anything new in the 1990s, the phenomenon of Girl Power was an animal all its own. Trademarked by an unapologetic confidence, embracing uniqueness, and a warrior-like assertiveness, this movement gained momentum with girl-groups like The Spice Girls and TV shows like Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Today's moms have Girl Power in their blood and aren't afraid to teach their sons and daughters to fight for equality.

When it comes right down to it, '90s kids overcame a lot and accomplished even more. From having to use the payphone to call their parents for a ride to learning how to do things the old fashioned way, they're resilient. Some critics called kids who grew up in the '90s "entitled" or "spoiled," but I think the opposite is true. Growing up without Wi-Fi and enduring boring summers has made today's moms tough enough to roll with the punches and show their children what a survivor looks like.

If a '90s kid wanted to call their crush without them knowing it was them, they dialed *67. To have a three-way call with their besties? They pressed "flash," dialed their other friend's number, then "flashed" back and all parties were on. Did I mention they had to remember their friends' phone numbers? '90s kids always found a way to do things on their terms and that will come in handy as a parent, too.

In the 1990s, there were limited options for how people could get their music. Without the modern convenience of a personal laptop and iTunes account, they relied on a ride to a CD store. If you thought the hard part was over, you'd be wrong. Not only did they have to get their parents to drive them, but then they had to convince them to buy music with a "Parental Advisory" label on it. '90s kids became experts at debating and giving reasons why they needed that Smashing Pumpkins CD. And as every parent knows, being able to hold your own with an arguing toddler takes talent.

In the '90s, a new toy craze swept the nation: electronic pets. Whether it was a Tamagotchi, Digimon, or Giga Pet, the concept was the same. The kid was in charge of remembering to feed, "play" with, and monitor their virtual pet or else they met an untimely death. Unless their parents didn't mind spending oodles of money, most kids had to just deal with the fact that their pet was gone. A hard lesson in responsibility, but one they won't soon forget as they take on the ultimate responsibility: children.

The '90s were an interesting time for video games. On the one hand, there had never been so many options. On the other, they regularly malfunctioned. So just like MacGyver, '90s kids had to figure out how to fix things at a young age. Blowing in cartridges, untangling landline phone cords, figuring out how to make your CD player stop skipping, and getting the tape carefully back inside a VHS or cassette required skill and deft hands. No wonder today's moms are showing Pinterest who's boss.