21st Century Learning Curves In Parenting for all caregivers

Twenty Four years after the dawn of the new millennium is a long time in the lives of children. Children born in the year 2000have spent nearly quarter of a century. Call them millennials, the new generation, generation Z, tech-generation… the fact is that the children are now mature adults with a purpose in life. Or, are they ? How has parenting impacted them after 24 years? 

Words - Shanthi Wijesinghe

Speaking to a cross section of parents and young adults from this sector has given me a truck load of insights. Awareness is still lacking on parenting. There is the problem of egoistic behaviours and the inability to understand ethics in society. Many parents are struggling with high handedness from their children who are continuing to live from home without extending a helping hand towards chores or expenses. Parents are paying dearly for the lack of poor parenting skills during those early years. 
A small section of parents I spoke to had positive feedback. Children who have received sound parenting and nurturing speak proudly of their children who are caring, loving and constantly looking out for their daily needs even though some have left the nest and have formed families of their own in distant lands. “Not a day passes when my children next door step in for a cup of coffee or a bite” observed an independent parent. As I recall,they spent quality time with the children encouraging them to think independently, seek out solutions to situations without demands to stretch themselves beyond limits. They wanted them to be happy in the choices they made in extracurricular activities and encouraged them to think outside the box. Such parents are few and far between. Most parents of today are hell bent on gaining grades at school. Competition plays a major role- unfortunately. They would fight tooth and nail for one mark in order that the child can achieve a prize at awards. Helicopter parenting is out of style – not so in Sri Lanka. 

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