by T. Steele

Created on: April 28, 2008   Last Updated: January 02, 2010

We live in a constantly changing society. As much as we want to think that nothing will ever supersede technology, we must face the facts and realize that eventually the technology we know will grow old and so is life. As new inventions are created, people's way of life change, and children are faced with new obstacles that their parents may not have faced. The new millennium exposes children to things sooner and sometimes to new things. So, how do parents deal with the changing society and the effect it has on children? As much as people want a clear cut method on child rearing, we are faced with the fact that there are no rules. As in life, parenting entails making mistakes and learning, being the "bad" person sometimes, lending a listening ear, and providing compassion and just when you think you have it all figured it out, you realize that you have no clue.

People write articles and books and recite lectures to define and create the "best" parent. However, this literature fails to recognize that the "best" parent is the parent that loves his child, does not spare the rod (i.e. punishment), and is present when the child needs him the most. No one can tell anyone how to be the "best" parent because at the end of the day, a child grows into his own. Therefore, a child grows up to make his own decisions and decide his own path. It is important to realize that even the child raised in society's view as the "best" home may turn away from his parents' ideals. However, if a parent does his part, then it will provide more of an encouragement for a child to follow accordingly. Here are a few tips that may assist with parenting in the new millennium.

1. You are the parent! It is important to realize that times have changed since your parents were children and since you were a child. The methodology that your parents used in raising you may not work with millennium babies because this is a new lifestyle. It is no longer uncommon to see single parent and dual earner households. However, the one thing that has not changed is the fact that YOU ARE THE PARENT. Parents tend to loose sight once they allow children to have their way rather than providing rules for children to follow. Set rules! A child should clearly know the rules of the house and the consequences for failing to follow those rules yes, there should be consequences. A part of being a parent is being a disciplinary. A child respects parents more when the parents enforce rules and establish limitations on a

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