Parenting a millennial child requires more than just discipline—it requires guidance, intentionality, and modeling the right behavior. It’s about being present, listening, and fostering open communication.
Key Aspects of Parenting
1. Listening to Your Child
Give them your full attention when they speak. Create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions with you.
2. Talking With Them, Not at Them
Parenting isn’t just about giving instructions—it’s about engaging in meaningful conversations. Ask questions, listen actively, and value their opinions.
3. Having Fun Together
Spend quality time as a family. Plan activities like movie nights or game nights, and allow your child to suggest ideas for spending time together.
4. Setting Boundaries and Structure
Be firm yet loving. Set family values, establish limits, and enforce consequences when necessary. Children thrive when they understand boundaries.
5. Modeling Good Behavior
Your child learns from your actions more than your words. Show respect, patience, and kindness in your daily interactions.
6. Reinforcing Positive Behavior
Acknowledge and reward good behavior to encourage repetition. Praise their efforts, not just their achievements.
7. Introducing New Experiences
Expose your child to new ideas, cultures, and activities. This helps them develop confidence, curiosity, and a well-rounded perspective on life
Being Present Matters
One day, my daughter asked me:
“Is your phone more important than us?”
She felt I was always distracted by my phone and not fully engaged with her. That was a wake-up call for me. While my phone is my office, I realized I needed to be mindful of how I used it around my family.
As parents, we may not be perfect, but to our children, we are their first role models. It’s essential to be open to learning and taking action to be better parents.
When to Put Your Phone Away
To truly connect with your child, there are moments when phones should be minimized or completely put away:
✅ During playtime – Give them your undivided attention.
✅ During family meetings or devotionals – Engage fully unless needed for reference.
✅ While driving together – Use the time for conversations.
✅ During meals – Avoid distractions and focus on bonding.
✅ At religious gatherings – Teach them respect for sacred moments.
✅ During movie nights – Make it a shared experience.