Breaking the Cycle: Parenting Differently Than Your Own Parents

Parenting indeed comes with countless lessons. And for most parents, it's often a reflection of their own childhood. And many refrain from taking a different path. We aren't asking you to criticize that approach. But the truth is—evolving with time and figuring out what works best for your children today is what matters the most. If you too feel like you won't do it the way your parents do, this article is for you.

Read below this article to explore breaking this cycle of parenting and rather doing it differently than your own parents.

The fact is every generation has its own parenting styles, which may be influenced by several aspects such as culture, society, and available knowledge. And certainly, your parents did their best with what they knew, but times have changed.

In fact, even studies have shown that parenting practices from a few decades ago often focused more on discipline over building an emotional connection with the kids. However, now, almost 74 percent of parents believe in making emotional connections rather than merely focusing on discipline.

So what does breaking the cycle mean? It doesn't mean rejecting everything your parents did. Instead, it means realizing what worked and what didn't so you choose a more conscious approach.

One of the biggest shifts when it comes to breaking the cycle is focusing on emotional intelligence. Your parents may not have openly discussed feelings or mental health. But, today you know better. The truth is—emotional validation actually helps children build confidence and resilience.

In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, kids who grow up with emotionally supportive parents have better interpersonal skills. So the next time you’re about to scold them when they are crying over a broken crayon, it’s time to rethink that; it’s not only about the crayon but also acknowledging their feelings.

Gone are the days when kids actually believed when parents said, ‘Because I said so!’ Modern parenting rather takes a different approach and leans towards partnership rather than authority.

Of course, that doesn't mean letting kids take the roost but involving them in making decisions. So next time you focus on mandating a bedtime routine, let them know why it's actually important.

Earlier, parents often focused on following strict rules. You probably had curfews, limited TV time, and a healthy fear of the wooden spoon. However, today things have changed, and it's more about balance. While setting boundaries is important, giving your kids some freedom to explore and learn from their mistakes is equally essential. 

Parenting expert Dr. Shefali Tsabary says that children grow in an environment where discipline is coupled with respect and understanding. She says, ‘Kids don’t need control; they need guidance.’

If you think breaking the cycle is only about what you teach your kids. No! It's also about what you unlearn from your past. . It's time to get back into your childhood memories and ask yourself if there were moments you wished your parents had handled differently. These lessons are what you need to parent differently.

So, in case your parents once dismissed your hobbies as unimportant, it's time to encourage your little one’s interest no matter how niche they seem. This approach of showing approach actually helps build trust and self-worth.

Parenting differently than how your parents did is the need of the hour. After all, it's about evolving accordingly and creating an environment where your child feels seen, heard, and safe while blending in the wisdom of the past. After all, the parenting journey is a journey of learning too and helping you and your child reach higher without breaking the ties with your own roots.