I’ve sometimes heard grown-ups share their frustrations about “kids these days.” This always comes with a story about how kids are (mis)behaving in ways they wouldn’t expect.
This is generally the point in the conversation when I jump in to point out it isn’t “kids these days,” it is “parents these days” – i.e., it’s us. No need to point those fingers elsewhere.
For example, I’m seeing a lot of kids in our neighborhood zoom around in what looks like a combination of e-bikes and e-scooters. Seeing groups of middle school aged boys ride at speed on the road, on the sidewalk (often in the opposite direction), etc., is scary to watch. It always feels like an accident waiting to happen.
Ultimately though, it comes down to a decision their parents made. It defies logic. Why wouldn’t you let kids burn their energy riding a bike? Why wouldn’t you take the opportunity to learn how to stay fit at a young age?
Similarly, there’s always news about bad electronic habits. But that second grader with the Apple Watch didn’t walk into the Apple store and swipe her card. Neither did the fourth grader with the iPhone. Or that kid who gets unlimited access to YouTube because there’s a TV in her room.
Sure, they might have asked their parents for it. Begged even. But kids ask for a lot of things…
My wife shared a public review of our neighborhood middle school recently. It was from a parent who shared that her kid had had a rough time. But she went onto explain that the school and teachers were just fine. The kids were fine – left to themselves – too. The issue was parents who seemed to be intent on buying the affection of their kids.
True story.
