Parenting in itself is a great responsibility, there is this famous African proverb that says “it takes a village to raise a child” which encapsulates the whole idea. While modern parents attempt to do it all to support their children, nonetheless the concept of perfect parenting is an arguable spot. The truth is there is no set of rules and a single container that fits all. The best way one can approach parenting is to enjoy the journey of being a parent and nurture children with the utmost compassion.
Millennials are naturally driven towards digital technology. The luxurious presence of technology has apparently complicated children’s lives and their relationships with parents. Now that technology is a part of education and everyday life, the majority of parents are finding it difficult to raise their children. Since both parenting and online education is happening from home all of it is consuming too much energy from parents leaving them to feel drained.
Let's discuss a few of those issues that are coming up with Digital Technology –
Disruption in mind & body well-being
The constant overuse of digital tools has the potential to impact the overall mind and body well-being. younger kids are leaning towards developing the habit of using devices while they eat and youngsters tend to deprive sleep with late-night gaming or watching videos etc. not only these vices are harmful physically, but this unmonitored lifestyle can lead to internet addiction which is very much damaging to both mental health and normal functioning of the brain.
How to establish healthy habits within the family?
- You be the role model. Set an example by being the responsible one. Kids pick up habits out of anywhere. They tend to learn it from others, especially those he/she spends most of their time with
- Set healthy everyday rules and proper timing for study, play, eat and sleep
- Encourage creative activities such as singing, dancing, painting, etc.
- Help them fall in love with living organic life by living that life
- Introduce them to nature with activities such as camping, daily walk in the park, or even gardening
Decreased bonding time
When your children are overindulging themselves with gadgets and internet devices, they are automatically creating a world out of it. Also, the online classes for teaching young learners are too keeping small children busy during the day time and eventually, they want their playtime after they are done with their online class.
This is somehow leading them to engage in activities that are trivial rather than valuing family connections. Most parents when find themselves in such situations already feel lost in oblivion.
How can you encourage family connection?
- Know your children. You be the first one to put your hands forwards to create a free-spirited bond with them
- Keep a weekly day for family activity like game night or movie night
- Check-in on them on regular basis
- Share about your day and ask them about theirs
- When nothing seems to work, instead of ignoring the red flags consider help from mental health expert
Superficial life
Mostly found in teens, these days’ kids are getting attached to the life that needs constant validation from peers and social media. This virtual life is undeniable to them and they often find it difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not. The never-ending comparison has led to body image issues, low self-esteem, and even following trends just for the sake of it.
How can you help them feel more grounded?
- Show them better ways to use technology, these days many social media-based business owners work on various matters of healthy lifestyle. Inspire them to find the anchor
- Encourage them to read books
- Regulate their screen time
Social –media bullying
The virtual world of social media works on likes and comments. The freedom of expression has become a distorted version of that where anyone can say anything without being responsible for it. With passing years this has become more complicated. Teenager’s lives are too getting affected in immeasurable ways. While we see many fictional movies and series about social media bullying, we must not ignore the fact it exists in real life.
Parent’s role to avoid such circumstances -----
- Monitor children's activity. Regulate what they are using their mobiles and tabs for. Most parents confuse the act of noticing with spying. The key to a healthy approach to monitoring - is being aware of your children's lives and respecting their privacy at the same time
- Keep a tab on who your kids are friends with and with who they spend most of their time with
- Call for intervention when necessary
Technology is certainly powerful but it is not evil. Our intention on how we use modern technology is the ultimate determinant of whether it is impacting us negatively, after all, we have the power in our hand to wield technology more healthily rather than sitting on autopilot and let ourselves drift away with bad habits.
With kids it will be a vague idea to separate them from technology, instead, parents being the responsible ones need to indulge in healthy discussion and set those boundaries. Thus early years care and education in online program is preparing the teachers as well as parets for the 21st-century educational world.
Parenting in this digital age may not be easy but it can certainly be embraced with balance.
Written By : Soma
