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A few decades ago, was parenting even a thing to think about or categorized as a subject? Is there stress for parents?

Most generations are nuclear families, not families with more than four. We rarely see big families. But compared to then, parenting stress is greater now.

This generation of parents is stressing more on every aspect of life their kids need to achieve in every field. This might be due to their failure stories, more awareness, or if they just want to give the best to their kids by guiding them to choose correct and appropriate path.

We didn’t have these many diversions when we were kids. Fast food was not selling this fast or was not easily accessible. Electronics today are at different levels and have one huge barrier: a battle for parents and kids. There might be no family that doesn’t fight at least once a week during screen time.

Are we pampering more? A few decades ago, parents were strict. If they said no, it’s a “no.”. But now parents have some guilt; they want their kids to have all those things and experiences that they missed as kids. Earlier, whatever food was served, we should eat it without nagging, but now there are many requirements and wishes, not only food, clothes, fashion stuff, entertainment, outings, and many more. When parents say something, kids used to follow—no backtalk, no threat, no agitation. Nowadays, kids don’t even care; it’s not that they don’t love their parents, but they don’t think they have to listen to their parents; they listen only to what works for them.

I know many good kids who evolved into good adults and settled well with bad or no parenting, and vice versa.

At one point, I always felt there should be a course for parenting in undergrad, whatever the course aspirants might take. Quality, social expectations, norms, good and bad, and many other things add up to parenting. Thoughts like, Am I a good parent? Are we providing the best for our kids? Are we treating them well? With many good memories and a few worrisome feelings, this journey continues.