New Age Parenting: What It Is And What Challenges It Faces

As a parent, you’ve probably asked yourself many times questions, such as: Am I raising my children the best way that I can? or What is the right way to raise a child?

Well, such questions do bother many of us. But what I know for sure is that there isn’t a single correct or proper way to raise a child.

Indeed, we all want to be the most loving and supportive parents we can be for our children, but we often have trouble finding the right ways to raise a kid that is self-reliant, confident, polite, compassionate, and successful.

Parenting Has Never Been Easy

Yes, parenting is one of the most difficult responsibilities we need to fulfill in life, and if you ask me, out of all styles of parenting, modern parenting is the hardest.

You see, parenting isn’t only about raising and taking care of your children. Rather, it’s about balancing priorities, such as carrying out daily responsibilities and responding fast to the needs of your little loved ones, your partner, other family members, and, of course, yourself.

All this brings us closer to the topic of new age parenting. Here, we’ll try to answer questions, such as: What is exactly new age parenting?/What challenges do modern parents face daily? and What stuff do parents need to raise successful, kind, and happy children? So, I hope this article will help you find the way to help your kid grow up to be the best version of themselves without losing yourself in the process.

What Is the New Age Parenting Style?

In the new age style of parenting, parents embrace modern approaches to raising children that differ from traditional methods. Rather than just being a bossy or domineering parent, the goal of the new age mother/father is to become their children’s mentor and friend.

The new age style of parenting is all about honest communication, teamwork, and empathy between parents and their kids. It’s about managing conflict and solving problems together, as well as accepting and supporting each other.

New age parents put emphasis on recognizing the importance of encouraging a child’s individuality and independence while keeping a positive, nurturing, loving, and supportive family environment.

New age parents look for ways to create a balance between establishing boundaries and allowing their kids freedom for self-development in different aspects, such as emotional intelligence, empathy, creativity, resilience, and academic success.

Well, these are just the basic characteristics of the new age parenting style. In what follows, we’ll discuss other common traits of new age parents, but before that, let’s quickly explain …

How Is Modern-Day Parenting Different from Traditional Parenting?

Considering how much our kids differ from the times when we were at their age, it’s no wonder that parenting methods have greatly changed. Modern-day parenting and traditional parenting are the main approaches to raising children, and both have their own merits and weaknesses.

As I said, there isn’t a single right way to raise your kids. So, knowing the differences between these two parenting approaches can help you make a sensible decision about which of them works best for you and your family. Let’s see how they differ.

5 Differences between Modern-Day Parenting and Traditional Parenting

1.Childcare

Family roles have considerably changed throughout times. Traditionally, the mother was seen as the homemaker and the father as the breadwinner.

Today, the mother provides for the family as much as the father does. So, in those families where both parents work, they need to rely on additional support as a backup, such as support from nannies, daycare centers, and relatives.

2. Flexibility

Traditional parents have a more rigid approach to raising children. They focus on raising independent, responsible, educated children with strict work ethic. They also tend to be more authoritarian than modern parents and focus heavily on discipline and punishment.

On the other hand, modern parents are more flexible. Rather than having high expectations of their children, they encourage them to figure things out by themselves and learn about the world around them on their own.

Similarly, rather than establishing strict boundaries that their children should respect without negotiation and a one-way mode of communication, modern parents encourage individual expression by allowing their children to develop essential communication skills and feel comfortable sharing their feelings and thoughts with them.

3. Whose Word Is Law?

Traditional parents are as loving and compassionate as modern parents are, but they sort of insist their children know that their parent/s is always right and knows what is best for them. They also expect that their children shouldn’t doubt or disrespect their decisions and authority in any way whatsoever.

Modern parents, on the other hand, encourage critical thinking. They let their kids ask questions, think outside of the box, form and voice their opinions, disagree, and learn from their own mistakes. They also place a lot of emphasis on active listening, which means they pay attention to their child’s feelings, opinions, and worries without judging them. In this way, they build open communication, as well as mutual respect and trust in their relationship.

4. Instilling Respect Rather Than Fear

Traditional parents focus on raising obedient and responsible children while being loving and compassionate towards them and respecting their needs.

Modern parents, on the other hand, are authoritative as well, but they encourage their children to express their opinions, feelings, and thoughts in order to create and express their individuality.

5. Parenting Decisions

Traditional parents tend to set strict rules their child is supposed to obey without room for debate and focus on raising children that respect authority and value hard work, responsibility, and good work ethics because that’s how they were raised by their parents and grandparents.

On the other hand, modern parents don’t follow that model. They raise their children by learning new parenting approaches from various resources, such as the Internet or books, and exchanging experiences with other parents.

Now, let’s see what other traits the new age parents share.

5 Common Traits of the New Age Parents

1.They Set Realistic Rules With the Kids Together

The new age parent is still the one that establishes norms and makes the decisions in the family – just like the traditional parent. But before setting those rules, norms, and boundaries, they have an open discussion with their children.

This way, the parent lets their child know that they care and worry for them and why those rules are justified. As a result, rather than being rebellious and disobedient, the child respects those rules and boundaries. They wouldn’t risk losing their parents’ trust over something not worthy of indulging in – be it staying out after the 11.30 p.m. deadline or enjoying an extra glass of alcohol.

2. They Make Their Children Feel Involved

Whether it’s doing a simple household chore or helping their mom choose an outfit for dinner with her colleagues, the new age parent lets their child be involved in the everyday tasks. This way, not only do they teach their child that they all depend on each other, but they also deepen the bond between them.

3. The Age of Spanking Has Gone

Shouting at, threatening, or spanking a child isn’t the only way to teach them discipline and how to respect authority. Kids will always be kids, but when they’re naughty or acting angrily, the new age parents don’t shout back at them. They don’t show anger or threaten their kids, as they know that this will cause their toddler or even teenager, to become even angrier and respond more negatively.

Instead, the new age parent first tries to calm themselves down and then approach the child kindly, letting them know they understand how they feel and why they’re reacting that way. They try to make the child feel comfortable to express their feelings and let them know they’re there to help fix any problem they might have.

4. The Father Is No Longer Just a Strict Father-Figure

Try to picture this situation in a traditional family: The father has just come home from work and lays on the couch. His toddler runs to him and asks him to play in the backyard. Now, you might have guessed the answer: “Sorry, sweetie. Daddy’s tired. Go play with mommy.”

The role of the new age father isn’t only financially providing for his family. Instead, he’s loving and supportive. He listens to and values his children’s needs. He’s a father but also a mentor and friend to his child.

5. Being Still the Boss in the Family, but Being an Explanatory One

Now, try to imagine this situation: A new age parent and their kid are passing by a candy shop, and the little one asks for a cookie, lollypop, ice cream, or whatever. The parent doesn’t get them one, so the child starts making a fuss and insisting on knowing why they didn’t get it.

Well, rather than responding, “Because I said so,” the parent will kindly explain to their child that cookies aren’t healthy or that they’re bad for the teeth, etc.  So, the new age parent holds their ground, but they do so with explanations, not bossing around.

Do New Age Parents Face Challenges?

New age parents embrace modern methods for raising and disciplining kids, and these methods come with a few challenges. Let’s see what those challenges are.

1.Not Being Over-Protective

Many new age parents tend to be over-protective about their children. Whether it’s supervising them while they’re playing or organizing everything for them for school ahead, they strive to protect them from failures completely.

Well, some new age parents, including me, avoid being over-protective parents. For instance, I don’t run to stop my kid doing something while she’s on the playground playing with other kids or just try to stop her from making this or that decision because I’m afraid she might make a mistake. I just try to guide her, and if she fails, I am fine with it.

It’s our responsibility as parents to teach our kids to be self-reliant, resourceful, and independent. It’s our duty to make them aware of the cruel realities of the world we live in. And being over-protective can only prevent us from doing so.

2. Allowing Children Freedom of Choice

Instead of controlling their child’s choices and decisions, the new age parent lets their kid choose the hobbies they want to practice, the activities they want to do, or the food they prefer more eating.

And all this is fine, but it comes with a risk, too. The child may soon start thinking that they’re the one making the decisions around the house. So, they may end up refusing to touch fruits or veggies or begin going to bed late at night because they want to play games on their phone for as long as they want.

To prevent this scenario, while letting their child make their own choices, it’s also important for the parent to let them know what they shouldn’t do and why.

3. Reducing Screen Time

Modern-day kids spend a lot of time in front of the TV, their tablets, or smartphones daily, and we are all aware of it.

Now, while some new age parents do a great job at restricting screen time, others try to make that time useful. For example, rather than spending 2 hours on their Facebook profile or playing their favorite game on their smartphone, the child can watch documentaries or science how-to videos.  This way, they’ll gain new skills and knowledge about the world surrounding them.

Now, in case you’re not really a fan of the new age parenting style and you’re wondering if there are other parenting styles that you could consider in terms of what would work best for you and your children, know you’re not alone. Being a parent is a hard role, and if you ask me, I believe we’ll never stop wondering whether we’ve chosen the right way to raise our children.

Well, in what follows, we’ll talk about the 4 parenting styles. Each of them has its own advantages and weaknesses, so you might like only one of them or maybe neither. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll come up with your own. You’ll create your own parenting style that encompasses elements from all the other styles, which will help you be the best parent you can be and raise happy, healthy, smart, confident, and self-reliant children. So, let’s jump right into it.

What Are the 4 Styles of Parenting?

Parenting has been categorized into 3, 4, 5, or more psychological constructs by various researchers. However, one very popular piece of research focuses only on 4 parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, uninvolved, and permissive. Let’s present the most common traits of each style:

1.Authoritative Parenting

The most common traits of the authoritative parent include:

• Is supportive and nurturing but also highly demanding
• Builds a close relationship with their children
• Has expectations of their children and establishes rules for them while focusing on understanding and flexibility at the same time
• Uses disciplinary methods rather than punishments as a way of support
• Has open communication with their children. He/she listens to and considers their children’s feelings, thoughts, and opinions
• Allows their children to make mistakes and encourages them to learn from them

2.  Authoritarian Parenting

The most common traits of the authoritarian parent include:

• Has high expectations of their child with limited flexibility
• Is less nurturing
• Sets strict rules and has little consideration for their child’s needs or feelings
• Expects their child to respect their rules, decisions, and wishes without debate or explaining to them the reasons for those
• Practices one-way type of communication
• Focuses on teaching their child the consequences of misbehaving

3. Uninvolved Parenting

The most common traits of the uninvolved parent include:

• Not being responsive
• Seldom establishes rules and has limited engagement with their kid
• Appears indifferent towards their kid’s feelings and needs
• Provides little attention, nurturance, and guidance
• Has trouble forming close, healthy relationships

4. Permissive Parenting

The most common traits of the permissive parent include:

• Openly communicates with their child and allows them to make decisions on their own
• Seldom imposes expectations and rules
• Provides a limited amount of guidance
• Acts more like they’re a friend than a parent to their child
• Goes out of their way to make their child happy and fulfill their wishes, sometimes at their own expense

What Is the Best Parenting Style?

My advice for all parents-to-be is to not let anyone tell you what the best way is to raise your children.

As you can see from everything I’ve said above, there are several parenting methods, and each of them has its own benefits and flaws. It’s up to you as a parent to decide which parenting style will work best for you and your family.

The only thing you should remember is that you need to form a close, strong bond with your child at a young age. Then, that bond will turn into a deep friendship as your little one grows older. And certainly, they’ll always need someone they can fully trust and rely on, who will support and love them unconditionally. And no one can do that better than you – YOU – THEIR PARENT.