During my time, birthday parties usually consisted of spaghetti, pizza, cake and ice cream. I am talking about High School days here. Well, today’s generation celebrates pretty much the same but with the presence of booze, and party like there’s no tomorrow, which I think is inappropriate.
You see, I also drink and get drunk but that doesn’t mean I will tolerate my children to drink as soon as they are ready to attend/host parties on/of their own. I won’t allow them until unless they have their own earnings to spend from. Call me old-fashioned but I should know, because I drink. I have been to many situations and seen how drunk people sometimes behave.
I also don’t understand how minors could easily swear these days! It’s as if they are not taught how to behave and respect people especially towards elders. I’ve seen and heard “kids” swearing words towards our Government Officials just because they did not cancel classes on time on stormy days, and posted them on social media where everyone can read, including their parents.
Gadget usage also exceeds that tends disconnection with the family. This is what I am really concerned of. If ever giving in to owning gadgets at an early is where we failed as parents, well, I willingly accept the challenge. The challenge of setting rules which could get really challenging at times. In my children’s case, I only give them extended hours on weekends and when there are no classes. I sometimes give in on weekdays provided that there are no school works left behind. I also make it a practice that we watch a movie every night so that they could at least temporarily disconnect from the Internet for a couple of hours, including myself.
I have daughters who are fashionistas but I don’t encourage them to wear high heeled shoes and inappropriate clothes even if we can afford to buy. I just hate seeing girls wearing midriff, too sexy dresses/skirts and stilettos, when they can’t even fix their hair on their own! I admit, I get attracted to cute and adult-styled-dresses for little girls at times, but I just feel we are stealing a part of their childhood if we do that to them. And if a man stares at them, the parents react crazy!
I don’t know… maybe because my generation was too rigid and conservative while today’s is too wild and out-of-control. It’s just not so right. As a mom, seeing some get wasted breaks my hearts, and worst, sometimes the parents get blamed for it. That they should be in-charge and held responsible for how their children behave. What if all these happen in school or outside their homes? How can we take control of that? Though in extreme cases, yes, the parents are behind it especially those who grew up with broken families (I am not talking in general) where personal issues are left and right. They tend to become vulnerable to the appeal of drugs, alcohol, and teenage sex.
If there’s one thing that I would like to impart, that is for the parents “to please pay attention to our children. Know what’s happening to them. Know what is trending and not. Watch them grow and have time for them regardless how busy we get each day.”
Today’s generation is so different 10 years ago. I also drink, smoke, and party before but I’m responsible of my actions. I agree that gadgets disconnect family connections. Sometimes my son spend hours in front of his tablet and don’t pay attention to what I’m saying.