Parents should focus on guiding their children with understanding, support, and open communication, rather than judging or criticizing them harshly for their mistakes. This is no longer just a family matter-it’s a social issue.
In today’s rapidly changing world, parenting has become one of the most emotionally demanding and complex responsibilities. It’s no longer just about providing food, shelter, and education. Raising a child today requires constant emotional vigilance, moral guidance, and psychological support-especially when the world outside the home is flooded with temptations, distractions, and dangerous influences that can derail even the most well-intentioned upbringing.
Parents across society are grappling with difficult but necessary questions:
- What should we allow our children to do, and what must we stop them from doing?
- At what age should counselling or emotional mentorship begin?
- What role should the mother play, and what responsibilities should the father shoulder?
- How much screen time is too much, and when does it become harmful?
- Are we truly listening to our children or simply instructing them?
Answering these questions requires time, patience, and most importantly-unity between parents and children.
Adolescence is a turbulent phase where emotions often overpower reason. The body grows faster than the mind can adapt. During this time, teens seek freedom, validation, and adventure-often from the wrong sources. Sadly, this has led to a disturbing rise in underage involvement in smoking, drug use, and other destructive behaviours. Teenagers often believe they are always right and that their parents are there only to restrict them. This disconnect, if not addressed early, can lead to long-term consequences. When youth becomes intoxicated with thrill and rebellion, it becomes difficult for them to distinguish between right and wrong. Preventing such behaviour early is far easier than reversing it later.
The first rule of effective parenting today is simple: start early. Emotional connection and mentorship shouldn’t begin when problems arise, they must be nurtured from the beginning. Children who grow up being heard, respected, and supported are far more likely to open up during difficult times.
- Mothers play a critical role in emotional nurturing. Their ability to blend affection with discipline creates a safe emotional space for the child.
- Fathers must be more than just providers. Their presence, empathy, and example greatly influence a child’s character, especially during adolescence.
Discovering that your child is engaging in harmful behaviour is every parent’s worst fear. In such moments, reacting with panic or anger often worsens the situation. Instead:
- Stay calm and seek to understand the reason behind their behaviour.
- Communicate openly, without judgement. Show concern, not control.
- Involve a counsellor if needed-sometimes a neutral voice helps more than a familiar one.
- Set boundaries, but avoid total restrictions which often lead to rebellion.
- Lead by example. Children learn best not from words, but from what they observe daily.
One of the most overlooked truths of parenting is this: Children learn more from what they see than from what they are told. They silently observe, absorb, and imitate the behaviour of those around them. If parents are constantly on their phones, use foul language, smoke in front of them, or display aggressive behaviour, these actions leave a lasting impact-often stronger than any verbal advice.
No number of lectures can outweigh the influence of everyday behaviour. If you want to raise respectful, responsible children, you must model those very values in your own life.
A parent’s behaviour is the first book a child ever reads-make sure it’s worth reading.
Parenting today is less about control and more about emotional intelligence. It’s not about being strict, nor about being permissive or “cool.” It’s about setting clear values, building trust, and being consistently present. Parents should focus on guiding their children with understanding, support, and open communication, rather than judging or criticizing them harshly for their mistakes. This is no longer just a family matter-it’s a social issue. A misguided teenager today can become a troubled adult tomorrow. If we want to secure the future of our children, our society, and our nation, we must realize: the responsibility begins at home.
About Author:
Dr. Younis Ahmed Sheikh and his wife, Rufadha Akhter, write together on social and family issues, focusing on the challenges faced by modern families and the importance of nurturing healthy parent-child relationships. Unisrashid@ymail.com
