There are some thing that are timeless as a parent. But this tech age brings a lot of different worries and concerns! Read on to see what I think are the 3 things parents today should look out for.
Parenting Today – It is Different
From the common dispute that arises from getting them to brush their teeth, make their beds, teaching them to be polite to the more severe issues, such as sexual promiscuity, drinking or eating disorders, which will require treatment options for eating disorders. See the Clementine eating disorder treatment program for adolescents in Clifton VA. Raising kids have never been a walk in the park, especially in this age and time.
In a recent survey, 76% of the respondents said they felt that parenting is much harder now than it used to be. Another statics indicates that 60% of adults agree that today’s parents do not measure up to the standards set just a generation ago.
And I get it. Parenting really IS tough!
Let’s explore some issues and how you can tackle them.
Common Sense
There was a recent episode of an American parenting TV program ( I won’t mention the name for the sake of the innocent) in which parents were allowed to call-in with whatever challenges they were facing. So a lady called in and said that she had a small metal playground in their compound and that her son loves playing there, but he always keeps getting injured from playing in the “playground.”
She said she had tried everything possible to stop him from having fun at the playground, all to no avail. And the guest speaker asked her a simple question. Here is what he asked her “have you thought of switching to a plastic playground? Because it is safer, eco-friendly, low maintenance, and you wouldn’t need to stop your child from having fun. Add a fun and interactive play area markings direct to complete the playground.”
We wouldn’t be further from the truth if we say that a lot of problems that distraught parents have, requires only basic common sense, which in most cases is usually the last strategy in the parenting toolbox that parents utilize.
Media parenting
We call this media parenting because, in today’s generation, a lot of parents have relinquished their influence on their kids to the media. There is no contention that today’s kids are media driven. they spend more time on youtube, video games, TV, Facebook, iPod, iPad, cell phone— to name a few—than they spend on sleep or any form of physical or intellectual interaction
Research shows that 99% of boys and 94% of girls between the age of 12 to 17 play computer, console, web or mobile games.
Viewing of television has increased by more than 2 hours a day within the last six years, worsening the case is the fact that most, if not all, 8 to 18 years old have a screen in their bedroom.
All that plugged-in time means less face to face time with you.
Your child becomes more susceptible to peer pressure and is most likely to rely on someone else for guidance and in so doing, adopt other values.
So how do you go about fixing this? First, you have to realize that you have the most potent influence over your child’s values, attitudes and character. You have to be willing to go out of your way to find ways to be involved in your child’s life.
You as a parent can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines and continue listening to what other people think or worse still what the society depicts as being right or wrong. “Autoparenting” has never worked and will never work.
Staying Active
Another thing all this screen time does is keep them inside and on their butts. Try to find things you can do as a family that are active. Maybe take a hike, or go for a bike ride together.
Even going outside and just taking a relaxing walk can be good for both your heart and your kids’. It’ll also give you more time to connect with your child too.
In conclusion
We all want to keep our kids safe. Just do this by staying involved in their life and doing the best you can. I know firsthand that being a mom is tough and stressful and there are so many things that freak me out. Just remind yourself that you are a good parent and do your best.
Cynthia says
I think I’ll go for taking a relaxing walk with my kids. Thanks for this.