I am a mother of two, both of my children are born into ‘Gen Z’ or the ‘I generation’. What does this mean? This means that they were both born after 1997 and 2012. My children were born at a time when our world was immersed with technology. It was during this time that the expansion of the internet created a digital revolution! A time when absolutely everything you can possibly think about, was and still is, available at the touch of a single button.  

If my children want to watch an episode of The Middle, they no longer have to wait a week to see what happens. They can easily switch to Netflix and load the next episode. If they fancy eating a chicken mayo wrap, they don’t have to leave the house or visit a restaurant. It can be ordered through an app on their phone. If either of them are feeling low and are in need of a ‘pick me up’, all they have to do is drop a WhatsApp to their friends and someone will respond immediately.  

The Gen Z world is all about the ‘now’! Gone are the days of waiting and being patient.  

Old fashioned 

I am a ‘Gen X’. Gen X’s were born between 1965-1980. I was born at a time when we did not have these luxuries. We had to learn to be patient. We had to wait for our treat which was often a McDonald’s meal once a year! If an episode of Neighbours finished on a cliff-hanger, we had to wait for the next episode to find out what happened. I was born in a generation where we turned to each other for a ‘pick me up’. We connected with others and valued deep and meaningful relationships.  

Challenge 

I am conscious of the fact that it is not my children’s fault that they are born in the Gen Z era. However, as a parent it is up to me to ensure that I create boundaries which enable them to value relationships, be patient and be grateful for what they have. 

This is not an easy task to say the least and it comes with its own challenges. However, I feel it is important to communicate openly to make my children understand that they cannot have everything they want – instantly!

It is important for me to teach my children life skills and life lessons. It is fundamental for them to acknowledge that not everything in life can be fixed with a click of a button. This generation needs to be conscious of a world which exists beyond the use of devices. 

I am referring to nature, relationships, experiences, connections, values and so on. 

Whilst handing everything to my children on a plate may appear to be a sign of affection, it can later prove to be detrimental in the event that it cannot be sustained. 

As a mother, I understand that whilst I can provide the little luxuries in life today. I may not be in a position to provide them tomorrow. Furthermore, their partner, friends, colleagues and bosses may not be in a position to meet their expectations. It is therefore important that my children are aware of this and are able to manage any expectations which can not be met. 

As a conscious parent I invite feelings of rejection and disappointment. It is only through these experiences that they will build resilience and strengthen their coping mechanisms. 

As far as I am aware, there isn’t any app for this!😃

It is important to be realistic about the world in which we live today. As a parent, I like to explore ways to collaborate with the behaviours, attitudes and experiences of multiple generations. 

How?

• Through effective communication
• Creating awareness 
• Managing expectations
• I love sharing my stories and experiences
• We talk about possible scenarios and situations
• I ask thought provoking questions
• I learning from my children

This is a dual journey! I learn from my children just as they learn from me. 

If you are curious to find out more, please drop me a message.