10 Unwritten House Rules Every ’70s Kid in North Carolina Knew by Heart

Growing up in the 1970s meant kids lived by some pretty unique house rules. Life was simpler, technology wasn’t always around, and parents had their own ways of keeping their North Carolina household running smoothly.

From dinner table manners to strict bedtimes, every ’70s kid remembers the guidelines they had to follow.

Here’s a fun look back at some classic rules that shaped childhood during this colorful decade.

Don’t Sit Too Close to the TV

Parents frequently warned kids in the ’70s not to sit too close to the TV, believing it could ruin eyesight or cause headaches.

Although scientific evidence was scarce at the time, this rule was taken seriously. Kids often heard the phrase, “You’ll ruin your eyes!” if caught too close to the screen.

Since TVs in the ’70s were large, bulky, and had lower picture quality compared to today, you might still think that parents had legitimate reasons to be concerned about eye strain.

But even modern research shows no connection between eyesight and sitting too close to the television.

Nevertheless, 1970s kids learned to keep their distance, often scooting back to a “safe” spot on the living room carpet to watch their favorite Saturday morning cartoons.

Be Home When the Streetlights Come On

Every ’70s kid knew exactly what “be home when the streetlights come on” meant. It was the universal signal that your time playing outside was officially over for the day.

Parents didn’t track their child’s every move because kids spent most afternoons riding bikes or playing tag until dark. When those streetlights flickered to life, everyone raced home to avoid trouble.

It wasn’t about strict curfews, but more about trust and responsibility. Parents expected their children to manage their time wisely and stay safe.

If you weren’t home by streetlight, you’d likely be grounded or lose outdoor privileges the next day. For ’70s kids, streetlights weren’t just lights—they were the ultimate authority figure.

No Phone Calls After 9 PM

Back in the ’70s, families typically had one shared telephone, usually mounted on the kitchen wall with a long curly cord. Because of this, parents enforced strict rules around phone use.

Calling your friends after 9 PM was a huge no-no because that meant disturbing someone’s bedtime or interrupting quiet family time.

Late-night chatting simply wasn’t allowed, especially on school nights. If the phone rang after bedtime, everyone in the house woke up.

There was no texting or silent notifications; the loud ringing startled everyone. Breaking this rule often resulted in lost phone privileges, making kids extra cautious about checking the clock before dialing.

Finish Your Dinner Before Leaving the Table

Dinner was an essential part of family life in the ’70s, and parents were strict about mealtime manners.

One rule many kids remember is to finish your dinner before you can leave the table. If you didn’t like your mom’s peas or meatloaf, too bad—you had to sit there until you finished (or at least made a good effort).

Families valued togetherness during meals, so rushing off was seen as disrespectful.

Sitting at the table was not only about eating but also talking about your day, school, or plans for the weekend.

Kids who refused to finish dinner often missed out on dessert or faced the dreaded task of eating cold leftovers later.

Ask Before Changing the TV Channel

The family TV was a prized possession in the ’70s, and typically, there was only one in the house.

With limited channels and no streaming options, deciding what to watch was serious business. Many kids always had to ask permission before changing the channel, especially if parents were already watching something.

Shows like “Happy Days,” “The Brady Bunch,” or “Little House on the Prairie” were family favorites, so interrupting could cause quite an uproar.

If siblings disagreed on what to watch, parents usually stepped in to make the final decision. Arguing over TV privileges was common, but respecting the “ask before you switch” rule helped keep peace in the house.

No Snacks Before Dinner

One classic rule of many ’70s households was no snacking before dinner. Parents worried that eating snacks like chips, cookies, or even fruit would ruin a kid’s appetite for the carefully prepared family meal.

This meant sneaking snacks became a covert operation that only the bravest children attempted.

The ban on pre-dinner snacks was strictly enforced. If you were caught eating even a small snack, you’d be in trouble and possibly lose dessert privileges later.

Dinner was important, and ensuring kids arrived hungry at the table was a mission parents took seriously.

Don’t Slam the Screen Door

In the summer months, screen doors were essential for keeping out bugs while letting fresh air into the house. However, slamming that screen door was one of the fastest ways to get on your parents’ nerves.

Every kid was told to shut the door gently, but excitement sometimes got the better of them.

A slammed door was noisy, annoying, and risked damaging the screen. Hearing the familiar shout of “Don’t slam the screen door!” was part of daily life.

Eventually, ’70s kids learned to carefully close doors—at least until the next exciting adventure called them back outside.

Don’t Answer the Door for Strangers

Safety was just as important in the ’70s as it is today, though parents handled it differently.

A clear rule for every kid was never opening the door for strangers. Kids home alone after school had strict instructions to pretend no one was home if they didn’t recognize whoever was knocking.

This rule provided parents peace of mind. It taught kids independence but also responsibility.

Ignoring the knocks at the door might have felt awkward, but kids understood that safety came first.

Even door-to-door salespeople or neighbors needed permission from parents before kids were allowed to open the door.

Clean Your Plate (No Wasting Food!)

“Clean your plate” was a popular rule enforced by parents who didn’t believe in wasting food.

Kids were often reminded about less fortunate people around the world, adding a sense of guilt that motivated them to eat everything on their plate—even disliked vegetables.

This rule came from parents raised during harder economic times, who knew the value of having plentiful food and didn’t tolerate waste.

Children learned early on to eat responsibly and appreciate the meals they received. Refusing to clean your plate usually meant facing your parents’ punishment, motivating most kids to comply even if reluctantly.

No Feet on the Furniture

Putting your feet on couches, chairs, or tables was strictly prohibited in most ’70s households. Furniture was considered expensive, and parents wanted it to last as long as possible.

Feet—even those clothed in socks—were unwelcome on upholstery, especially when the furniture often featured bright colors and patterns popular in the decade.