Day 25: Parenting: 21st Century’s Landscape 

Training and upbringing of a Gen Z  requires unlearning and relearning certain parenting strategies. Generation Z, or genziers born approximately between 1997 and 2012, are digital natives who have grown with the internet, social media and technological devices, making them highly tech-savvy. Advancements in information technology have created an uninterrupted connectivity, shaping their social interactions and the quantity and quality of information consumed. Enormous knowledge is available at their fingertips, so much so that even educational outfits have shifted towards online learning. Digital tools continue to define the experience of many in this generation.

Having said this, every parent, guardian or parent-to-be needs to understand that this generation is unique and has its own challenges. Adapting to the changing social, technological, and cultural landscape that influences how children grow up today is necessary. Technology has come to stay. It is going nowhere. Consequently, misconceptions and fears about technology must be released while embracing its role in this age and its potential benefits and risks.

Disciplinary and corrective measures employed in parenting this generation are crucial for success. The goal of parenting is to train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). A child needs to learn from mistakes and grow into a confident, happy and responsible being. Punishment does not achieve these goals. Punishment and correcting in anger destroy a child’s self-esteem rather than build up. Also, discipline should be underpinned by consistency in what parents say and do (modelling), creating structures and systems in the home that align with the standards demanded from the youngsters.

Emotional intelligence is, therefore, an essential element for today’s parents, ensuring that discipline is administered effectively and constructively. Parents with high self-awareness and self-regulation can better recognise when they are angry and calm down before addressing their child’s behaviour, focusing on teaching rather than punishing.

Connection with a child enhances correction. An empathetic parent who understands their child’s feelings and perspective will be able to respond to misbehaviour with compassion and understanding rather than anger. This empathetic approach fosters a positive parent-child relationship and open and constructive communication, making children more receptive to guidance and correction and creating a supportive environment for growth and learning.

With continuous exposure to knowledge about parenting techniques through books, conferences, and online resources, regular self-reflection on personal parenting practices and willingness to make adjustments as needed, parents can create a nurturing atmosphere that helps their children thrive and be ready to face the global world.

Pharm Tobi Onyia 

Another critical component of parenting Gen Z and Gen Alpha (children born after 2012) is knowing their wordpedia. Perhaps there is no more effective way to communicate with people than using “their native language”. Parents must learn how to use “their language” to bond, instruct, correct and discipline them. Baby shark doo doo doo doo, peppa pig, paw patrol, cocomelon etc, offer significant bonding opportunities for “the babies”. Christian versions of these would be significant assets. Don’t be serious all the time. Children love joyful and playful faces. So, play and dance with them. And you can employ playful tacts and a smiling face to say, “NO, you can’t do that.”

And from school age upwards, auditing their wordpedia is vital. Listen to them, engage them and be happy in their world. If you are not in their world, then you are out. If you are out, your influence is next to nothing, regardless of how much you love them. When you pick an unfamiliar word, politely ask them what the word means, and check on Google to confirm. If inappropriate, reiterate why we, as royal priesthoods, it is not all the words that everyone else uses that we use. Technology and digital aids can also serve as incentives for some children to heed instructions and discipline, e.g., an extra hour on the tablet or TV, a new device, retaining or cancelling a subscription, and trips to places that interest them. With the acceptance of how integral and unavoidable technology has become, we can proactively combat the risks by setting healthy boundaries and guardrails, hawk-styled supervision and role modelling.

© Selah Series 2024