Millions of millennial and Gen Z parents are questioning the parenting playbook they grew up with. They’re realizing that some of those old-school parenting rules our parents swore by might not be serving our kids—or us—very well.
Our parents did their best with what they knew. But here’s the thing: we know better now, and we’re not afraid to parent differently. Let’s dive into five boomer parenting rules that today’s parents are saying “no thanks” to.
“Because I Said So”
Remember when questioning your parents was basically a crime? Modern parents understand that kids aren’t meant to be tiny robots who follow orders without thinking. When we explain our reasoning, we’re teaching critical thinking skills and building trust.
Emotional Expression Gets a Green Light
“Big boys don’t cry” and “stop being so dramatic” were practically parenting mantras back in the day. But guess what? We’ve learned that suppressing emotions doesn’t make them go away—it just teaches kids to bottle things up until they explode.
Today’s parents are embracing emotional intelligence. We’re teaching our kids that all feelings are valid, even the uncomfortable ones. Crying doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. And teaching kids to process emotions healthily? That’s setting them up for success in relationships and life.
Respect Goes Both Ways Now
The old rule was simple: children should respect adults, period. No questions asked. But modern parenting recognizes that respect isn’t a one-way street. If we want our kids to be respectful, we need to model it ourselves.
This doesn’t mean letting kids walk all over us. It means treating them like the individual humans they are. We listen to their opinions, consider their feelings, and apologize when we mess up.
Mental Health Takes Center Stage
“Just get over it” was the mental health advice of previous generations. Therapy was for “crazy people,” and anxiety was just being “overdramatic.” Yikes.
Today’s parents are breaking this dangerous cycle. We’re normalizing conversations about mental health, teaching coping strategies, and removing the stigma around getting help. Kids grow up knowing that taking care of their mental health is just as important as brushing their teeth.
Communication Over Control
The authoritarian parenting style was all about control. Parents made decisions, kids followed them, end of story. But modern parents are choosing connection over control.
We’re having age-appropriate conversations about difficult topics instead of keeping kids in the dark. We’re involving them in family decisions when appropriate and teaching them to think for themselves. It’s messier than the old way, but it’s also more authentic and effective.
Conclusion
Look, parenting is hard no matter what generation you’re from. But we have the advantage of research, therapy, and a better understanding of child development. We can honor what worked from previous generations while letting go of what didn’t.
The goal isn’t to be perfect parents, it’s to be conscious ones. We’re raising kids who feel heard, valued, and emotionally intelligent. That sounds like a pretty good trade-off for giving up “because I said so.”
