Now that you’ve had a successful wedding and are enjoying married life, it’s time for the next step … a family. You are going to need lots of parenting tips. Don’t fear — all you need to know can be found in these vintage magazine illustrations.
There will be plenty of time for you to look through all the magazines, since there are lots of sleepless nights ahead.
by Coby Whitmore, Saturday Evening Post, January 21, 1950
You’ve got big dreams for your children…
by unknown artist, McCall’s, December 1929
So you will want to protect them from dangerous things.
by unknown artist, McCall’s, April 1929
And periodically check to see that they are growing healthy and strong.
by Lucile Patterson, American Magazine, June 1919
There will be lots to teach your children. Encourage them to get close to nature.
by John C. Chase, McCall’s, January 1930
And to help with the grocery shopping …
by Stevan Dohanos, Saturday Evening Post, September 19, 1953
You will want your family to be dressed properly for all occasions…
by unknown artist, McCalls, 1956
Including rainy weather.
by unknown artist, American Magazine, August 1950
And don’t forget to make sure everyone has plenty of long underwear.
by unknown artist, Delineator, November 1918
Be prepared for relatives to drop by to spend time with your children…
by William Steig, Collier’s, November 27, 1937
Though other relatives may just decide it’s just easier to call on the telephone.
by Austin Briggs, 1959
Eventually, you’ll want to take a family vacation. But someone’s bound to forget something…
by Stevan Dohanos, Saturday Evening Post, June 18, 1949
No matter how carefully you’ve planned.
by Al Parker, Ladies’ Home Journal, September 1950
But you’ll be glad to finally get back home … to the calm of everyday life as a family.
by Lou Cunette, Good Housekeeping, May 1953
Credits:
The Al Parker image is from the Al Parker Collection.
The advertisements for American Can, Carter’s Underwear, the Cleanliness Institute, DuPont Zelan, P&G Soap, and ScotTissue are from the Periodicals Collection.
All other images are from the Walt Reed Illustration Archive.
