Understanding Why Parenting Is So Difficult in the 21st Century
For all intents and purposes, parenting should be a lot easier today than it was 100 years ago. In many ways, it is.
We have so many more modern conveniences than in generations past, and technology tends to make life easier than ever.
In other ways, though, parenting in the 21st century is complicated.
Sometimes, the technology and conveniences designed to make our lives easier can end up making things more stressful.
If you’re a parent, you undoubtedly understand that.
But maybe you’ve found yourself wondering why parenting is so hard today.
You’re not the only one with that question, so let’s take a closer look.
So Much Screen Time
Technology can be a great thing for kids.
They literally have all of the information they could ever want at their fingertips.
Tech can be used to help them in school, entertain them at home, and keep them connected with family and friends across the globe.
But too much of a good thing can have unintended consequences.
Multiple studies have shown the adverse effects of too much screen time on children.
Some of these include sleep issues, behavioral issues, eye strain, emotional distress, and more.
A Healthy Work-Life Balance
It was more common in past generations for at least one parent to stay home to raise their children.
While that still happens, many households have a two-person income.
Sometimes, that’s by choice, while it might be a necessity for others.
This can cause some guilt and stress when striking a healthy work-life balance.
As a parent, you might have a hard time balancing your career while wanting to be there every step of the way for your kids.
It might cause you to miss a baseball game or skip a class field trip.
While those might seem like small things, they can cause a lot of guilt.
If you do try to “do it all,” you’ll quickly become exhausted and likely struggle with your mental and physical well-being.
Higher Expectations
Because technology has put so much information at our fingertips, the expectations are often higher for children today than ever before.
That includes academic expectations.
Kids are learning more at a younger age and at a much faster pace.
Add extracurricular activities on top, and it can create a stressful environment for both parents and children and might cause your kids to become anxious.
Comparison Issues
Every parent knows parenting is a marathon, not a sprint.
There are good days, bad days, and ugly days.
However, social media content can cause you to lose sight of perspective and compare your efforts against curated posts.
Meals made from scratch, spotless living rooms, and perfectly behaved children can leave you feeling like you aren’t doing enough.
Children can struggle with digital comparisons, too.
They might see pictures of friends together and wonder why they weren’t included.
Or, they might follow certain influencers and deal with issues like body image.
Comparison happens in the “real world,” of course, but the Internet and social media have made it much worse.
What Can You Do?
As a parent, finding a balance that works for you and your family while learning how to settle into a 21st-century lifestyle is important.
While we enjoy many modern amenities and advances in medicine and technology, raising a family is not without its challenges.
Use technology to your advantage without letting it take over your family’s lives.
If you’re struggling to find that balance on your own, it’s okay to reach out for help and talk to someone who can help you manage stress while adopting a plan that meets your needs and wants.