Image by LatinaPower2009 via Flickr

It’s hard not to reminisce over the years past.  Especially with parenting, and it’s apparent ease from yesteryear in comparison to today.  While it is true we, as parents put much more pressure on ourselves today, were things really so much better then?

When most of us were kids life was easier, but one of the many reasons we still see it that ways is due to our happy memories.  While overall it is true life has changed, it’s hard to deny that kids do tend to have things easier than their parents.

Some of the reason things just seem so much harder is that we do put more pressure on ourselves.  Even with crime rates dropping, the world seems scarier.  Why is this?  One of the reason is perhaps right in front of you right now, we have literally a world of information at our fingertips, and that availability also means we will find out goings on that we wouldn’t have access to a few short years ago.

While that’s more than likely far from being the only reason, we also live in a bit of a fearful culture.  A fair amount is from tragedy in the years past, and more so we are afraid of the millions of what ifs that are out there.  Much more than our own parents were.  We try to minimize the dangers for our children, and as noble as this is, it also poses it’s own problems.

Those problems take shape with the sacrifices that we make and our kids make to form that same safety net.  It can be borderline unimaginable to think of our kids walking home from school to an empty house, yet even when I was younger- it was the norm.  Those kids are fine now, and many have kids of their own as well. 

Has what we now think of as normal care and concern turned into something more?  Do you think we are going overboard?

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While the below almost screams hyperbole, it seems that both digital abuse and ’sexting’ are shockingly much more prevalent than once thought. The study was triggered by a 13 year old girl who sadly took her own life after sending a sext, suffering harassment, and eventually suspended from school.

A study conducted by the Associated Press and MTV found that 50% of 14 to 24 year-olds have experienced some type of digital abuse. The study, released on Thursday, also found that 30% had either sent or received nude photos on their cell phones or online. But when you break down the numbers, 10% actually sent such messages, which is in line with a previous study done by Cox Communications that found that 9% had sent a "sext."

(Source:CBSNews)

It’s an incredibly surprising statistic.  Yet, the behavior behind it all isn’t.  Many girls claim to feel pressured into sending the messages, and some are in turn blackmailed or exploited by their peers.

Sadly, it’s also something that’s been around since before the influx of the digital age.  Bullying is something that has been around seemingly as long as the human race. 

The story behind the statistic is depressing in  and of itself, it also has led many to question the school administration’s thoughts over suspending the girl herself, while leaving her tormenters untouched. 

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Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Talking to children about sex can potentially go along with it can easily rank among many parents largest fears.  It is understandably, one of the most uncomfortable conversations that many parents dread, yet it still remains a huge necessity.  A parent has the chance to help create an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance about the consequences of their children.

There has been, especially in recent years a surge in teens effected by pregnancy and STDs.  Many parents assume that their children are responsible and knowledgeable enough to not have to worry.  Some others attempt at placing the blame on the shoulders of schools.  It’s frightening, but sadly and unfortunately a fact.

If a parent isn’t talking to their children, friends will. Due to general misunderstanding and general ignorance, the same friends more than likely aren’t the most accurate sources by far.

Yet, having that same conversation is still an important task for parents.  Starting earlier may help, and losing any imaginative stories.  Many studies have been showing that a parent who has been open and honest with their child may fair better.  While it may still be uncomfortable, it seems that the best bet is indeed honesty.

In talking with your child or adolescent, it is helpful to:

• Encourage your child to talk and ask questions.
• Maintain a calm and non-critical atmosphere for discussions.
• Use words that are understandable and comfortable.
• Try to determine your child’s level of knowledge and understanding.
• Keep your sense of humor and don’t be afraid to talk about your own discomfort.
• Relate sex to love, intimacy, caring, and respect for oneself and one’s partner.
• Be open in sharing your values and concerns.
• Discuss the importance of responsibility for choices and decisions.
• Help your child to consider the pros and cons of choices.

(source for list)

While every parent is different, it may help to start early. You may want to keep everything age and development appropriate, but with time it may become easier.

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The Parents Television Council is taking to the virtual streets over the upcoming Gossip Girl episode, but is it really all over nothing?

Considering while yes, the potential for something risqué is there (it is supposed to be showing a sexual act between teens). it’s unlikely it’s going to be as bad as the group is making it sound.  When one stops to think that the show has to make it’s way through the FCC, which isn’t likely to allow anything past PG-13 exploits to be shown, it may be a bit of an overreaction.

This isn’t to say that the show is all in the clear, after all even with the FCC shows have been forced to go with a protesting group before, so the move is not exactly unheard of.  While the act is not appropriate for younger children, it’s not exactly aimed at the younger set anyway.

Television uses sexual imagery to rake in viewers, it is one of the many different things that are essentially designed around creating drama for viewers.  It’s also a very tenuous slope, that is often overused.  A fact that is a major contributor to our over-sexualized society.  While that isn’t to say the episode should be pulled, it’s more of a symptom of a larger issue in the media.

The advertisements for the episode are raunchy, but truthfully it’s very doubtful that there will be any R rated material on the screen.

This article is written by a person who doesn’t watch Gossip Girl, do you watch it?  If so, what are your opinions on the protest?

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It isn’t always easy being  a parent.  While there a many times where it is wonderful and fun and all is well with the world, there are still some times when you or your child may have a bit of a rough patch.  Perhaps it’s the fifth tantrum that day, or they just don’t want to go to bed, maybe something else altogether.  Those times happen, they are normal in any family.

Sometimes a parent will yell at their children, naturally we don’t want to but it’s something that is very likely to happen. While most of us may wind up feeling guilty, to some it’s akin to spanking.

According to the owner of Positive Parenting (in the New York Post)

“This is so the issue right now. As parents understand that it’s not socially acceptable to spank children, they are at a loss for what they can do. They resort to reminding, nagging, timeout, counting 1-2-3 and quickly realize that those strategies don’t work to change behavior. In the absence of tools that really work, they feel frustrated and angry and raise their voice. They feel guilty afterward, and the whole cycle begins again.”

The website offers online classes to help parents no to yell at their children.  In the Post article yelling is proclaimed ‘the new spanking’ in terms of socially acceptable behaviors.

Does that ring true to you?  Is yelling at your child as bad as spanking them?

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