"When I was your age..."  Have you ever caught yourself starting a statement (or an argument) with that infamous phrase?  Another comment we often hear, or share, is, "If we would just parent kids today like when I grew up we wouldn't have these problems." 

In many ways, life today is different for youngsters, teens and parents than it was "way back then."  Yet growing up and parenting both involve many of the same challenges now as twenty or thirty years ago. And children's needs have not changed:
      They still need parents to listen.
      They still need to learn self-acceptance by feeling accepted by their parents.
      They still need parents to offer insight and guidance to life's questions.
      They still need to be encouraged as they learn who they are.

But the world has changed, and so have our families.  Outside influences have grown and impacted the way we parent.  Some common issues that bring some challenges to parenting include:
      Our children have more exposure to the influence of media.
      Our children have an increased ability to understand and access things faster.  This decreases their opportunity to develop patience.
      Our children have more freedom today.  More working parents mean fewer parents at home after school.
      Many of our children have employment outside the home.  This gives them more independence a sense of "more control" over their lives.

So while the basic needs of kids and parents haven't changed, society has.  These changes in our society will continually challenge our parenting practices to evolve. But the basics - which will remain (listening, accepting, guiding and encouraging our children) - are timeless.

Find out more in our free booklet, "The Courage to Parent".  Receive a copy of this free parenting guide, available from the Parent Communication Network, by calling 605-334-9626 or emailing PCN to request a copy.

Adopted from material written by
South Dakota Children's of Sioux Valley Hospital
USD Medical Center

All material in the SFPCN book The Courage to Parent is fully copyrighted, and may not be rewritten, broadcast or redistributed without prior written consent.