15 Surprising Facts About Raising Kids in the Modern World
Parenting today comes with a lot of surprises that most people don’t warn you about. From figuring out how to handle screen time to dealing with endless advice from others, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. It’s not always how we imagined it would be, but understanding these challenges can really help. Here are some modern-day parenting truths that might surprise you.
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the writer’s personal beliefs.
Parenting Is Exhausting, And That’s Okay
Parenting can be so rewarding, but let’s be honest—it’s also really exhausting. There will be days when you’re just completely wiped out, and that’s totally okay. Don’t be too hard on yourself for feeling tired—raising kids is a long journey, not a quick race. Take breaks when you need to, and remind yourself that it’s perfectly normal to feel worn out.
Privacy Is Now An Effort
Even if you decide to keep your family away from social media, the truth is that you will most likely find a picture of yourself and your kids there. How? Posting photos of your family is so normalized now that unless you stop socializing with everyone around you, one of your friends will post a picture with you and your family.
Being A Housewife Is Okay
Despite what some modern feminists want us to believe, being a full-time housewife is okay. No woman should ever feel guilty, judged, or ashamed for deciding to devote her life to her family. As long as you and your partner are happy about this decision, there is nothing wrong with this choice.
You May Be More Alone Than You Initially Thought
Kids who grew up in the 90s or before clearly remember that their parents were not the only authoritarian figures in their lives. Everyone seemed to have a good reason to scold them, from their grandparents to their teachers and neighbors. Nowadays, however, it appears that parents are the only ones allowed to teach their children what’s right and wrong. This means that you’ll probably be alone in your parenting journey.
Perfection Doesn’t Exist
No matter what the latest parenting book, podcast, or blog you read says about this, perfection is unachievable. Every parenting style has its downsides, meaning that flexibility is key. See whatever works best for different situations and figure out your own method.
Sometimes, You Will Make Mistakes
No matter how hard you try, you will make mistakes. Sometimes, you may be too strict; others may act too impulsively. When this happens, forgive yourself and apologize to their children to teach them how to deal with failure constructively.
You Won’t Always Enjoy It
Some days, parenting feels like a constant uphill battle, and that’s totally normal. You won’t love every single moment, and that’s perfectly fine. Acknowledging this doesn’t make you a bad parent. It’s essential to accept that some days will be tough. Focus on the good times; remember, having mixed feelings is okay.
Self-Care Is Important
Taking care of yourself is key to being a good parent. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so make your well-being a priority. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. Spare some time for activities that refresh and rejuvenate you. A happy parent is better equipped to raise happy kids.
Not Every Place Is Kid Friendly
Again, this has changed in recent years. Unfortunately, the number of restaurants and hotels that no longer accept kids is rising. While this may be positive news for couples and groups of friends, it is surely problematic for many families.
Technology Will Be A Problem (From The Beginning)
Should you buy your kids a smartphone? And if yes, when? How much time will they be allowed to spend on it? Should you let them open social media accounts? Whatever you decide to do, you will surely have to spend plenty of time with your partner figuring out how to deal with this modern parenting struggle.
Your Kids Will Probably Have Attention Span Issues
Whether you decide to buy your kids a smartphone or not, we have bad news for you. Their attention span will probably be short. Why? Because their friends will surely have one. Not only this, but the whole world is now focusing on short-form content, meaning they will most likely be exposed to this dangerous form of dopamine boost.
Your Kids Can (And Should) Get Bored
Do you remember those days in your childhood that seemed to never end? When you begged your mother to give you something other than homework and house chores to do. Well, your kids need to go through that, too! Despite what most people think, getting bored is incredibly helpful for kids’ development as it pushes them to find their interests and hobbies.
People Will Judge You
No matter your parenting style, someone will surely criticize you for your choices. So, stop caring what everyone else thinks and focus on what you think is successful. Of course, considering experts’ opinions is always a good choice, but if your childless neighbor has something to say about your parenting style, consider that he may be wrong.
Junk Food Is Not The End Of The World
In recent years, we have learned that junk food is extremely unhealthy. While this is undisputable, let’s be honest. Balance in life is critical. Your children shouldn’t wait to be 21 to try their first cheeseburger. Make sure to feed them healthy and nutritious food daily, but allow them some treats occasionally.
Not Everything Must Be Scheduled
The modern hustle culture suggests that every second of your existence must be productive for success. In other words, schedule and plan every minute of your life. The truth is that life doesn’t work like this, and even though a bit of planning may help you, scheduling everything will take away spontaneity from your family life. So enjoy that unexpected weekend road trip without considering everything you planned to do on Sunday morning.
More For You
No matter what, try your best to teach your kids some of the most essential life lessons. Show them the value of honesty, kindness, and hard work. Encourage them to pursue their passions and face challenges with courage. These lessons will help them navigate life with confidence and integrity.
This article was first published on the RB ITALIA Blog.
