Once upon a time there lived a family of mum and dad and two daughters. The girls would walk to and from school and their parents had every confidence they were safe in the school environment. In the afternoon the girls would hang out with their neighbourhood friends before returning home for dinner. After dinner they would gather around the only television and watch a family program. Before retiring for the night, mum and dad would lock the doors and go to sleep peacefully knowing that their daughters were safe and pro-tected within their home’s walls… This is not a fairytale, this was my life growing up. For today’s parents this scenario may seem like a fairytale because the challenges parents face today have dramatically shifted in the past few decades.

A 2023 survey asked thousands of parents their concerns for their children. Forty percent of parents answered that their greatest concern was their child’s anxiety or depression. Thirty five percent were concerned their child was being bullied. Parents’ main concerns fell into the following categories: their child’s ability to develop positive relationships; the over-use of social media and screen time; internet safety; unhealthy eating; depression/suicide; lack of physical activity. Comments included “The way that society has become less about others and all about the ‘cult of me’ worries me tremendously as to the world my children will be living in.” Parents in the survey said parenting is much harder than they expected, and they feel judgment from various sources. The survey came to this conclusion: Parents in the 21st Century are under considerable pressure to prepare their children for a future they cannot even imagine.
Protecting our kids today is not as simple as making sure the door is locked, because phys-ical walls no longer offer the protection that today’s children need. Families are bombarded with influences that have access into homes through internet, mobile phone, social media, streaming services. Children are not born with the ability to discern so parents need to be aware of the content that may pose a threat to their child’s wellbeing.
In a recent interview, Matthew McConaughey said “Parenting is an incredible responsibility and privilege. We can give our kids everything they want and not give them what they need. Loving a child is a lot harder if you really give a damn. ‘No’ takes a lot more energy, it’s a lot easier to say ‘yes’.” Matthew and his wife’s son had to wait till his 15th birthday to join social media. For three years they allowed him to shadow his parents’ social media, having conversations with him about the pitfalls and ensuring he was equipped for having his own account.
The challenges parents face today are enormous, tough decisions on a daily basis which make you unpopular with your kids. The family unit was not designed to be totally self-sufficient. Surround yourself with like-minded parents. Every family needs an authentic community where they can feel encouraged and supported in their efforts.
Linda Gray
linda@relationshipsanctuary.com.au
0401 517 243