Parent of a Millennial versus Parent of a GenZ: How parenting has changed over the years

There is no right or wrong way of parenting. Until and unless your ultimate goal is to raise a happy, successful and positive child, you cannot go wrong! However, just like every other aspect in our lives, parenting too has evolved over the years. A parent of a millenial - the generation born from 1981 to 1996 - may not have the same understanding or approach to parenting as a parent of a GenZ kid - those born between 1997 to 2012. Both may have a distinct way of raising their kids. So, let us find out how!

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If you're a millennial you'd remember how your parents decided everything for you. From what you would wear, eat to where you would go to school, what you would do in your free time, almost everything was under their command. But now things have changed and evolved. Parents of GenZ are likely to let their kids have a say. After all, they're more informed and up-to-date about things happening around them. This could be due to the technological advancements that have taken over the years. While parents continue to be a guiding light, they tend to provide their kids with the freedom to choose.

Unlike parents of the millennial, who faced difficulty in accepting failure on their children's part, parents of GenZ are more flexible, accepting and forgiving. Children now have become more creative, they think out of the box and technology has only given them the platform to expand and explore. This has given kids more options, while allowing parents to be more easy-going and more encouraging of their children.

However, with the advancement of technology comes its disadvantages. Unlike earlier when bullying was a raging issue, cyberbullying has become a concern for most parents in the current time. More than physical abuse, there has been growing evidence of emotional abuse. That said, it is important to take action against all types of bullying, whether in-person or online.

The idea of money and finances have also altered over the decades. Earlier kids understood the value of money. Receiving even a small amount on festivals and special occasions was joyous. Now, children want pocket money regularly. Since markets have expanded and grown, kid's needs and requirements have increased considerably too. However, research suggests GenZ kids are likely to spend their money more practically than previous generations of kids.

Personal space, boundaries have become important in recent times, especially when it comes to parent-child relationships. Parents of millennials may not have thrived in this aspect, since they were the sole decision makers in the family and children were very dependent. However, kids now are more individualistic and understand the true meaning of freedom and independence, which is why they are more aware of their responsibilities and know how to express their opinions at the right moment. The best parents can do is embrace their choices and respect their space.