7 things millennials are finally realizing their boomer parents got right

Growing up, I rolled my eyes at my parents’ “old-fashioned” ways more times than I care to count.

Why did we need to eat dinner together every single night? Why was my mom so obsessed with making the bed each morning? And don’t get me started on their obsession with going to bed at 9 PM like they were still in elementary school.

But here’s the thing about getting older—you start to see patterns. You notice what actually works and what doesn’t. And sometimes, grudgingly, you realize that maybe your boomer parents weren’t as out of touch as you thought.

As a millennial who spent years dismissing my parents’ advice as outdated, I’ve come to appreciate some hard truths. Many of the habits and values they tried to instill weren’t just arbitrary rules—they were time-tested wisdom that actually leads to better outcomes.

Today, I’m exploring seven things our boomer parents got surprisingly right. 

1. Waking up early actually sets you up for success

I used to think my dad was crazy for getting up at 5:30 AM every single day, even on weekends. Why torture yourself when you could sleep in?

Turns out, he was onto something big.

Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”And modern research backs this up in a major way.

For instance, in a five-year research project, author Thomas C. Corley studied 177 people who became millionaires through their own efforts. He discovered that almost half of these successful individuals had a habit of getting up at least three hours earlier than when their actual work schedule started. 

It goes without saying, I think, that they went also went to bed at a reasonable hour. 

Those early morning hours give you uninterrupted time to think, plan, exercise, or work on personal projects before the world starts demanding your attention.

I finally started waking up at 6 AM a few years ago, and the difference has been remarkable. My most productive work happens in that quiet morning space.

2. Family dinners weren’t just about the food

Growing up, missing family dinner was basically a crime in our house. I thought it was just my parents being controlling—why couldn’t I eat while watching TV or grab something quick on my way out?

But those nightly dinners around the kitchen table were doing something I didn’t appreciate at the time.

Researchers have noted that “Children who routinely eat their meals together with their family are more likely to experience long-term physical and mental health benefits”.

It wasn’t really about the meal itself. Those dinners were creating connection, teaching communication skills, and establishing a routine that grounded our family.

Now that I’m older, I realize how rare it is to have regular, uninterrupted time with the people who matter most. No phones, no distractions—just conversation and presence.

I’ve started implementing this with my own relationships, and the difference is noticeable. There’s something powerful about sharing a meal and actually talking to each other.

3. Keeping a tidy space actually makes a difference

My mom was relentless about making beds, cleaning up after ourselves, and keeping the house organized. I thought it was just pointless busy work—who cares if my room looks perfect?

Turns out, there’s actual science behind her obsession with tidiness. Socio-economist Randall Bell, Ph.D., has been studying success for 25 years and found that “Those who do their chores and keep their living space tidier tend to make more money.” 

I used to think this was just correlation, but after years of living in messy apartments and then finally getting organized, I can feel the difference.

A clean space creates mental clarity. When everything has its place, you waste less time looking for things and feel more in control of your environment.

There’s something about making your bed each morning that sets a productive tone for the entire day. It’s a small win that builds momentum.

My parents weren’t being nitpicky—they were teaching habits that lead to better outcomes in life.

4. Spending time outdoors isn’t optional

My parents were constantly pushing us outside. “Go play in the yard,” “Take a walk,” “Put down that game and get some fresh air.” I thought they just didn’t understand how much more entertaining video games and TV were.

But they understood something about human nature that I completely missed.

Researchers have found that good health and wellbeing are connected to spending at least 120 minutes in nature each week. That’s less than 20 minutes a day, yet most of us don’t even hit that basic threshold.

After years of being glued to screens and living mostly indoors, I started forcing myself to take daily walks. The mental shift was immediate—less anxiety, better sleep, and clearer thinking.

Our boomer parents grew up in a time when being outside was just normal. They didn’t need research to tell them that fresh air and sunlight were good for you.

Now I make it a point to spend time outdoors every single day, even if it’s just sitting on my balcony with coffee.

5. Saving money instead of spending it all

While my friends and I were obsessing over the latest gadgets and eating out constantly, my parents were always preaching about putting money aside. “You need to save for a rainy day,” they’d say, while I rolled my eyes and wondered why they were so paranoid.

Then 2020 happened, and suddenly everyone understood what a rainy day actually looks like.

My parents lived through economic uncertainty that taught them the value of having a financial cushion. They weren’t being cheap—they were being smart.

The whole “treat yourself” culture that defined so much of millennial spending habits starts to feel pretty hollow when you’re stressed about rent or can’t afford an emergency.

I finally started following their advice about automatic savings and living below my means. The peace of mind that comes with having money in the bank is worth way more than whatever temporary happiness I got from impulse purchases.

6. Building genuine relationships takes actual effort

My parents were always making phone calls, writing letters, and visiting people in person. They’d drive across town just to check on a friend or spend hours on the phone catching up with relatives.

I thought this was inefficient. Why not just text or connect on social media?

But watching how they maintained deep, lasting relationships taught me something important about human connection. Real relationships require more than likes and comments—they need time, attention, and genuine care.

All those “old-fashioned” ways of staying in touch were actually relationship investments. The friends and family members who matter most in my life are the ones I’ve put real effort into connecting with.

Sending a thoughtful text, making an actual phone call, or showing up in person when someone needs support—these aren’t outdated gestures. They’re what builds trust and intimacy.

Social media gave us the illusion of connection, but our parents knew that meaningful relationships require showing up consistently over time.

7. Working with your hands grounds you

My dad was always tinkering in the garage, fixing things around the house, or working in the garden. I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t just hire someone or buy a replacement instead of spending hours on manual tasks.

But there’s something deeply satisfying about creating or fixing something with your own hands that screens can’t replicate.

I’ve talked about this before, but after years of purely digital work, I started a few hands on projects. The mental benefits were immediate—better focus, reduced stress, and a sense of accomplishment that felt different from anything I achieved on a computer.

Our parents grew up in a world where people built, repaired, and created physical things as part of daily life. They understood that working with your hands engages your brain in ways that purely mental work doesn’t.

Whether it’s cooking, gardening, crafting, or basic home repairs, these activities provide a grounding that balances out our increasingly virtual lives.

There’s wisdom in knowing how to create something tangible in a world that’s becoming more abstract every day.

Final words

Looking back, I realize my parents weren’t trying to hold me back with their “old-fashioned” ways—they were trying to give me tools that would actually work in the real world.

The irony is that many of the things we dismissed as outdated have become trendy again. Morning routines, digital detoxes, minimalism, mindfulness—these are just modern names for habits our boomer parents were already practicing.

They lived through decades without the constant connectivity and instant gratification we take for granted. That forced them to develop habits and perspectives that created genuine stability and happiness.

I’m not saying we should throw away our phones and go back to the 1970s. But maybe we can stop rolling our eyes at advice that comes from people who figured out how to build lasting relationships, financial security, and peace of mind without apps to help them.

The next time your boomer parents share some “wisdom,” consider that they might actually know what they’re talking about. After all, they managed to raise a generation that’s now successful enough to write articles about how wrong we were about everything.