I'm so old I Remember when:

[sdm111]

It was always a living room to me and I ain't changing!

 

[MROO]

What’s the difference between a family room and a living room? I thought they were the same and then for visitors there was the front parlor (in an old house).

In homes with both, the living room was more formal, while the family room was more for casual, everyday use. Some called it a "rumpus room." Nowadays, I think the equivalent would be called a "bonus room." Victorian homes had something similar - a "parlor" for receiving guests and a "living room" where the family gathered. The "den" was Dad's hangout - an entirely different animal in itself!

 

[MROO]

Probably just location in the united states and age of person saying it

Nope, it was separate from the living room. The LR was off limits to us kids, but the family room was our domain. The furniture was sturdier (and stain-resistant) and the dogs were always welcome there. We had forts and pillow fights, sleepovers and popcorn parties. On any given weekend, you could find a massive Barbie layout (friends brought theirs over, too) a train layout (running over, under and through the furniture) or an obstacle course (sometimes for us, sometimes for the dogs!) It's where we had our fish tanks and hamster cages, air hockey and ping pong tables. We LIVED in that room. It was awesome! ... sigh ...

 

[MROO]

We were the last to get one I believe.

My father was an overachiever ... and a show-off

 

[notabitail]

We had the first color TV in the neighborhood.

We got rid of our color TV. A flat panel at that.

 

[The Moonshiner]

My father was an overachiever.

Mine was an underachiever. He didn't even achieve staying around.

 

[MROO]

We got rid of our color TV. A flat panel at that.

I have one, now, but haven't used it in years. There's nothing good on TV anymore, and if I really want to watch a movie, my computer monitor works just fine!

 

[MROO]

Mine was an underachiever. He didn't even achieve staying around.

I wish mine had left twenty years earlier than he did. Everyone would have been a lot happier ... and my sibs and I would have been a lot safer.

 

[tripletfeb]

What’s the difference between a family room and a living room? I thought they were the same and then for visitors there was the front parlor (in an old house).

For us growing up, the family room was where the tv was. The living room was for visitors. Now, my parents have a tv in both rooms and we hang out wherever we want

 

[tripletfeb]

Nope, it was separate from the living room. The LR was off limits to us kids, but the family room was our domain. The furniture was sturdier (and stain-resistant) and the dogs were always welcome there. We had forts and pillow fights, sleepovers and popcorn parties. On any given weekend, you could find a massive Barbie layout (friends brought theirs over, too) a train layout (running over, under and through the furniture) or an obstacle course (sometimes for us, sometimes for the dogs!) It's where we had our fish tanks and hamster cages, air hockey and ping pong tables. We LIVED in that room. It was awesome! ... sigh ...

Pretty good explanation. Except, we couldn't afford air hockey or ping pong. And when my sister had her baby at 16, she took over the family room as her and the baby's room