To find out more about the essence of modern parenthood and how it differs from the parents of previous generations, as well as what challenges moms and dads face today when raising children, we reached out to Holly Connors, a lifestyle blogger and a working mom of two girls. After working in psychology for a decade, Connors is the creator of the “Simplify Create Inspire” project which helps families make their lives easier.
Connors argues that millennial parents differ from those of previous generations in that they are more likely to be open-minded and adaptive when it comes to parenting styles. “While they are bringing experiences from their own childhood, they often are also more aware of the importance of personal growth and development for their children and are willing to challenge traditional values,” Connors explained.
Regardless of how much people’s approach to parenting has changed throughout the years and decades, Connors argues that parents today are still experiencing many of the challenges of previous generations. “Such as juggling work and family responsibilities, navigating changing social norms and expectations, and dealing with the financial costs of raising a family.”
“However, there are some additional challenges that come with today’s digital age, such as finding ways to protect children from online predators and cyberbullying, managing screen time, and finding ways to stay connected with their children in this highly ‘connected’ world,” Connors explained.
There is so much information on how to raise and not to raise your kids properly that it’s easy to get totally lost as a new parent. So we asked Connors what her advice is for parents who struggle with the pressure to be the "perfect parents."
“The best starting point is to accept that there is no such thing as a ‘perfect parent’ and that every child is different and requires a different approach to parenting,” she said.
Connors suggests that it’s better to instead focus on what works best for your family, and each individual child since their needs will differ. “Provide plenty of love and support, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed,” she said.
Moreover, Connors’ advice is to “unsubscribe from anything that makes you feel inadequate or guilty, remembering that what you see is only what others want you to see.”
The creator of “Simplify Create Inspire” pointed out that most people don’t share the hard moments, “so while they may seem like they have it all together, there’s a good chance the person you see as ‘perfect’ is battling their own personal insecurities too.”
