As a parent raising two children, one in primary school and one in high school, and having worked with hundreds of students over the past 10 years, I’ve observed some of the biggest challenges we face in raising and educating our children today.
1. Screen time and digital development
We know we can’t blame everything on screen time. After all, we are the ones who created smartphones, smartwatches and other digital devices with the intention to make our life easier. The truth is, if we can keep technology under control and use it with the right intentions — for better communication, education, efficiency and effectiveness, it can be a wonderful tool.
However, problems arise when screens are used as babysitters, to replace the presence of parents, to escape the busyness of everyday life, to numb uncomfortable feelings, or to fill the emptiness caused by social isolation and disconnection.
2. Concentration, behaviour and learning difficulties
Concentration seems to be declining, and we are seeing more concerns about challenging behaviours and attention difficulties. ADHD diagnoses are also becoming more common.
Screen time may be one contributing factor to attention difficulties, alongside other influences such as poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, sugary drinks and children’s emotional wellbeing.
Many challenging behaviours can also arise when children fall behind academically and can no longer follow what is being taught. Sometimes, lessons are not engaging enough or do not meet their individual learning needs because Most teachers are burned out managing classes and admin work.
3. Too much consumption, not enough creation
We live in an increasingly materialistic world, where we are constantly encouraged to buy more, own more and consume more. The more, the better.
Our children are growing up surrounded by advertisements, social media, online shopping and endless entertainment. They are learning to consume from a very young age. They’d rather spend time searching for the branded birthday presents to making something for their friends.
4. Parents are feeling more isolated and unsupported
Parents today are juggling so many responsibilities — work, finances, household duties, children’s education and their emotional wellbeing.
The juggle is real.
Despite being more connected through technology, many parents feel increasingly isolated and unsupported. We want to do our best for our children, but sometimes we are simply exhausted.
What can we do?
There will be times they will need to use screen time for their school, research, or when we have no other options but let them watch some age-appropriate TV shows. There will be times our children are exhausted and throw tantrums and act out and do everything they can to push our button and test our authority, patience.
What we can do, as parents and educators, is to do anything, anytime you can to have time out and take care of your physical and mental health.
Then we can come back to our children and students with fresh energy to create more times, activities, experiences, to let them go back to the basics: to hold a pen and paper, write a poem or create a drawing, to run barefoot to touch and feel nature, to talk to their neighbours, make a new friend at the park, to kick some balls outdoor or sing their heart out with an instrument.
Building a supportive community and asking for help are also important ways to ease the challenges of raising the next generation in today’s world.