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Please Stop Criticizing Millennial Parents — We’re Trying Our Best
As I was scrolling through my social media feed, I came across a post that many of my friends shared. It featured a smug older gentleman in a suit, accompanied by the headline, “Expert Claims Parents Are ‘Doing It All Wrong.’”
This narrative is everywhere, often coming from doctors, psychologists, or seasoned parents from the baby boomer generation. The message is clear: Millennial parents are messing it up. As a millennial myself, I can’t help but feel a bit exasperated. If I see one more headline telling me how I’m failing at parenting, I might just explode.
There are indeed certain parenting practices that are undeniably wrong. If you decide to go out for drinks during your child’s nap, that’s questionable. Putting a diaper on the child’s head instead of their bottom? That’s a big no. Allowing a toddler to sip hot coffee before they’re potty trained? Absolutely not. However, these criticisms rarely focus on these clear-cut mistakes.
Instead, the critiques revolve around our parenting styles: how we talk to our kids, how we discipline, how we feed them, and more. We’re either too lenient or too strict. We’re setting unrealistic expectations or not giving enough attention. It seems there’s no way to win, as we’re just trying to navigate parenthood the best we can.
Millennial parents face numerous challenges—affordable housing, family leave, and student loan debt, to name a few. What we do have in abundance is information. Boomers often roll their eyes at millennials glued to their screens, but often, that’s because we’re researching the latest parenting tips or fretting over new studies about pregnancy health (remember that fish oil debate?).
With countless parenting books and daily updates on product recalls, it’s overwhelming. We can even face judgment from fellow parents online, which adds to the pressure. I’d much rather listen to my child’s incessant whining than read yet another article on how millennial parents are ruining their kids.
That said, I genuinely value the wisdom of those who have raised children. I understand that experienced parents may have a clearer perspective on what actually matters in the long run. I’m sure we’re making mistakes that will make us cringe in hindsight—much like the outdated baby gear or safety practices our parents used.
So, if you think we’re doing it all wrong, that’s fine. Just let us figure it out ourselves. Most of the time, we’re just as clueless as everyone else, but we love our kids and strive to give them the best. So, a little faith in our ability wouldn’t hurt. Or, if that’s asking too much, you could just look away and hope for the best—much like when Uncle Joe decided to launch lawn darts.
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Summary
Millennial parents are often criticized for their parenting choices, but the truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising children. While advice from older generations can be valuable, it’s essential to give millennial parents the space to navigate their own journey, learning from both successes and mistakes.