It won’t be long before the unofficial start to summer begins. If you’re tired of turning over your MP3 player to Lady Gaga, let your kids get a taste of what a 1980’s summer sounded like. Yes, there was a time when iPods didn’t exist, and you actually had to—gasp!—fast-forward the tape player on your boom box to find your favorite song. Here’s that walk down memory lane:

“Cruel Summer” by Bananarama

If you felt abandoned by those so-called friends who left you on your own (mine were at sleepaway camp—the bums!), then go wallow in your misery with this tune.

“Boys of Summer” by Don Henley

Didn’t you aspire to be the girl in the song in her convertible with the radio blaring, making all the boys crazy-jealous? Or maybe you were that devoted guy who proclaimed his love “would still be strong” even after the other boys had packed up and headed home.

“Circle in the Sand” by Belinda Carlisle

I don’t know about you, but hearing this song always made me feel like the hot summer sun was beating down on my Coppertone-slathered skin. No matter if I was nursing a broken heart or it was the summer of love, it fit my mood just right.

“Vacation” by The Go-Go’s

Speaking of Belinda and heartbreak, this song couldn’t help but cheer you up. And who can forget that kitschy waterskiing video?

“Rain in the Summertime” by The Alarm

Maybe your kids won’t pay such close attention to the lyrics other than the refrain. My 6-year-old loves this song, and has no idea what the band is singing about. Do you? Watch the video here.

When YouTube officially launched in November 2005 I don’t think the founders of the site intended it to be used as a future source of embarrassment. The purpose of the site was to share videos across the globe and it has done that, but it has also become a digital dumping ground for every parent who feels their kid is the cutest and most talented child ever. How many YouTube videos feature moppets singing and dancing their heads off to the latest pop hits?

Most of these children are adorable, but we all know what happens with kids: they turn into teenagers. Do you know any teenagers who would be happy that their parents posted a video of them singing Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” in their diapers? The smallest thing can mortify a teenager and once something is posted on YouTube it can live online forever. I’m not saying your little punkin’ isn’t cute dancing around to the Black Eyed Peas “Boom Boom Pow,” I’m just wondering if your child would want that video living in the digital world for the rest of their lives. Something to ponder before you post!

What do you think? If a video is funny enough, does it justify the possible humiliation of your teen-to-be? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!