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Millennials as Parents
October 26, 2015
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.
-John F. Kennedy

"Help! My Parents are Millennials" proclaims a Time article speculating on how millennials will do as parents:

"Millennial parents number more than 22 million in the U.S., with about 9,000 babies born to them each day. This growing cohort of parents is digitally native, ethnically diverse, late-marrying and less bound by traditional gender roles than any generation before it. Millennials, many of whom entered the job market during one of the worst economic downturns in U.S. history, have helped shape a culture where everyone is expected to be on all the time—for their bosses, co-workers, family and friends. With a smartphone and a social network always at hand, they’re charting a course through parenthood that opens moms and dads to more public criticism—as well as affirmation—than anything previous generations have ever experienced.

"At the same time, these young adults, having been raised to count individuality and self-expression as the highest values, are attempting to run their families as mini-democracies, seeking consensus from spouses, kids and extended friend circles on even the smallest decisions. They're backing away from the overscheduled days of their youth, preferring a more responsive, less directorial approach to activities. And they're teaching their kids to be themselves and try new things—often unwittingly conditioning their tiny progeny to see experiences as things to be documented and shared with the world.

"As parents, millennials are still marked by their optimism. They still have faith in progress, equality and Google. And they continue to build vast archives of selfies. Now the rising question for this generation is, How will their beliefs, habits and preoccupations shape the lives of their children?"





Parenting on the Go

What is the most treasured resource for families with young children? Time. Between housekeeping, shopping, doing chores, and getting everyone to work and school — let alone fitting in family meals, fun activities, and much-needed downtime — being a parent can require major feats of scheduling. While parents don't always have hours to pour over parenting books, they could use short, to-the-point advice on the challenges they confront every day.

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Comments (1)

Displaying 1 Comment
TS · October 26, 2015
Florida (FL), United States


My own children are millennials, and it seems that they have been under attack in the media their entire lives. I think they have measured, poked, and prodded more than any generation in history.

Yet, I have found them (and their friends) to be amazingly talented, self-directed and disciplined, empowered and engaged. I also think they will make terrific parents.

All I can think of is that the "powers that be" must be really be afraid of such an intelligent and participatory citizenry because they keep doing all they can to keep us from taking this wonderful group of young people seriously.



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