Modern Day Parenting

Parenting: Then and Now
A Personal Reflection

When I think back to the '70s and '80s, parenting felt solid. It had structure. There were clear roles. You knew who the parent was and who the child was. Our parents weren’t trying to be our buddies. They weren’t asking us how we felt about rules. They were just being parents.

If they said no, that was it. You didn’t argue. You didn’t negotiate bedtime or bargain over vegetables. It wasn’t because we didn’t matter. It’s just that they truly believed they knew what was best, and to be fair, most of the time, they did.

There was a rhythm to things. Meals happened at the dining table. Not in front of the TV. Not with phones buzzing. Just plates, food, and conversation. And respect wasn’t something we were lectured about. It was something we saw, something we did. You stood up when elders entered. You offered them a seat. You brought them water. It wasn’t a rule. It was just how things were.

We played outside. Got dirty. Got hurt. Sorted out our fights on our own. There were no GPS trackers or nanny cams, but somehow we always made it home. We knew our limits. We respected them.

Now, in 2025, the script feels different.

A lot of parents today, maybe because of how strict their own parents were, are trying to be more open, more understanding. Which is a good thing. But somewhere along the way, the lines have started to blur. Saying no feels harsh. Setting limits feels old-fashioned.

Family dinners are now people eating in silence, each in front of their own screen. Phones on. TV on. Everyone in their bubble.

And then there’s the fear. We live in safer times, but we’re more anxious than ever. Every tragic story online feels like it’s happening just around the corner. We hover. We track. We check. We don’t let our kids fall, and because of that, they often don’t learn how to stand back up.

Too many kids today are growing up without the resilience that comes from making mistakes. Their confidence is tied to likes, to comments, to online attention.

I’m not saying the past was perfect. Or that now is wrong. Every generation does what it thinks is best. But maybe it’s time to take a bit from both worlds.

Bring back slow conversations. Bring back outdoor play without a plan. Bring back that calm, clear no.

Because parenting isn’t about being flawless. It’s about being there. Being real. And quietly passing on the strength to face the world, even when we’re not around.

p.s. all of this coming from someone who has no kids of his own ;)