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Technology and Parenting: Finding the Balance
When I caught my son, Liam, googling how to solve the Rubik’s Cube, I had a reaction that could only be compared to my aunt revealing that WWE wrestling was staged. I went on a rant about how using the internet to crack the cube was cheating and that the real challenge was all about feeling frustrated and small. Liam looked at me like I had completely lost my mind.
I’m a fan of technology—I even work in the field! It’s incredible to think that kids today will never experience life without the internet. My toddler won’t know what it’s like to have a phone conversation without video, and my daughter will never have to deal with a card catalog in the library. But when it comes to solving a Rubik’s Cube? That’s where I draw the line in the digital sand.
Sure, I’ve googled my share of odd things. When I was pregnant with my first child, I actually typed in “Can you break your vagina?” because I felt like I was being stabbed down there. Spoiler alert: it was just contractions (and I would have preferred a broken vagina at that moment). My husband and I even transformed our front yard after watching some hilariously bad landscaping tutorials.
But at what point does technology hinder our ability to be self-sufficient? Nowadays, kids don’t need to struggle through challenges; they just look it up. As a Gen Xer, I’ve grown up with a healthy dose of skepticism, often saying, “trust but validate.” In contrast, Millennials seem to have a sense of entitlement and often take longer to reach adulthood milestones. They leave home, get married, and find jobs later than any previous generation.
Entitlement is something we teach our kids. So how can I help Liam and his sister feel less entitled when everything is so easy with technology? Every generation hopes for a better life for their children, but we need to teach them that freedom without responsibility means very little. No shortcut can replace the satisfaction that comes from hard work. Sure, you might get ahead faster, but it won’t feel as rewarding.
We live in a time of helicopter parenting. This overprotective approach often stems from love, but what happens when these kids grow up? How do we nurture self-reliance when every moment has been overly guided? It’s a balancing act between wanting to do enough for our kids and not doing too much.
Raising the next generation of leaders and thinkers is a challenge we all face—whether you’re a parent, a family member, or a teacher. It’s tough to step back and reflect on what qualities we want to instill in our children. Perhaps, as we navigate this parenting journey, we can adopt a style that nurtures the characteristics that lead to successful, fulfilled adults.
For more insights on this topic, check out this post on home insemination. And if you’re curious about the best home insemination kits, Make A Mom has some great resources. For anyone looking for a deeper dive into pregnancy and fertility, Cleveland Clinic’s podcast is a fantastic resource.
In summary, while technology offers convenience, it’s essential to instill resilience and self-reliance in our children. We must find ways to balance support with independence, ensuring they grow up to be well-adjusted adults.