We need to stop parenting like it’s 1999.
I’m ready to rant, shame, blame and shed some urgently needed light on the darkness that’s engulfing entire generations of children because of one issue – dumb parents.
The innocence us Gen X-ers enjoyed as teens is dead and buried under the weight of sleepless news cycles, cyber bullies, tech mania and… I only have 250 words here*.
Parenting teenagers in the 21st century is a blood sport that takes guts, attention and a level of engagement that goes beyond an impotent,
“How was your day darling?”
I point to the procreators who opt out when teens get tricky; who give their offspring buckets of (unconditional) privacy. Ignore their online worlds. Reject the notion that micromanaging in microdoses might be useful. They don’t want to meddle. Ask too many questions. They want to be their best friend!
How dare I call out the parents who let their teens, do whatever the f**k they want? Aren’t we all just trying to be the best for our babies?
What’s perfect parenting anyway? No idea. But.
Providing food, shelter, cash, tech and car keys while actively turning a billion blind eyes to toxic behaviours, peers and an unearned sense of entitlement ain’t it.
This is performative parenting – at best. And treating our teenagers like grown adults is abuse.
So. To the folks out there cosplaying as authority figures in their teens’ lives, you can parent however the hell you want. Thing is your kids still play with mine. And they may not always do it nicely.
It takes a village – let’s act like it.
* Make that 272.
© Phyllis Foundis 2025