The practices and norms around raising kids shift over time, with each generation of parents redefining an age-old role. Sometimes, this shifts are based on new research, technologies or cultural trends; other times, they’re a response to how the previous generation did thing, BuzzFeed reported (via Yahoo! News).
Millennials and younger Gen-Xers with kids today are generally parenting in a more conscious way than their own parents did. For better or worse, they have a lot more information, advice, and opinions at their fingertips than the parents who came before them.
Because each generation has their own perspective on the tough job of raising kids, we asked today’s grandparents in our Facebook community to share their thoughts on current practices. Here’s what they had to say:
I love the more gentle parenting philosophy that’s popular today.
“My kids are so invested in their children it’s beautiful! They use gentle parenting techniques, even with challenging personalities; provide them with healthy outlets and nurture their friends as well. They’re 100% better than I was — but I had to do it alone with five children. I’d choose my kid’s parenting over mine, every time!” – Anne W.
However, I worry some parents today are too permissive with their kids.
“People who want to do gentle parenting should really educate themselves on how it works if they are trying to achieve the goals of gentle parenting. Frequently, people confuse it with permissive parenting.” — Marny H.
It’s surprising to me how many kids can’t behave in a restaurant.
“Really liking most of the trends and hope I live long enough to see how these littles fare in adulthood. I do notice the majority of today’s children aren’t emotionally regulated enough to use passible manners in restaurants, and I don’t understand what that’s about.” —Ream J.
I think parents should just let their kids be kids.
“The race to nowhere has made kids anxious. I think in general, we need to lay off the elite athletics, private coaches, tutors, college prep classes etc. in adolescence. Let kids go back to enjoying being young and stop focusing on their ‘future’ from the moment they come out of the womb.” — Dawn J.
I feel like parents could do more to encourage basic manners.
“Respect and manners are a big deal for me. Saying thank you is almost non-existent. It’s also very impolite to not return messages. Another pet peeve is being habitually late. Remember, children learn what they live.
Quality time spent with children is also extremely important. Spending time outside rather than inside playing video games is great quality time.” — Karen C.
I’m disheartened by the declining vaccination rates among kids.
“Kids need minimum vaccinations unless there is a valid medical reason. Unvaccinated kids are a public health nuisance and a person lacking medical training shouldn’t be making decisions that affect the global population.” — Dawn J.
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