According to psychologist Tammy Schamuhn, parenting today comes with unique stressors. And it’s true. Raising a child these days is not easy. The world has changed so much that children are handling more work than ever before—schoolwork that keeps getting harder, friends with their drama, and hobbies they cannot do without.
And there’s school to worry about, where the pressures are even worse. Schools nowadays aren’t just about getting good grades anymore. It’s about standardized tests, extracurricular activities, and expectations that can even make you, as a parent, feel stressed.
Then you’ve got your child’s social life to deal with. Who’s he friends with? How does he fit in and deal with peer pressure? And on top of all that, kids still want time to do what they love, whether playing soccer, learning guitar, or getting lost in a video game.
So, as a parent, how do you cope? How can you help your child balance the different parts of their lives in a world constantly asking them to be, do, and achieve more? Here are some tips to assist you.
Help Them Create a Balance
Children today are dealing with way more than we ever did. Schools keep pushing them to cram for more tests and apply for advanced college prep courses, all while they’re still trying to keep up.
Social life isn’t simple anymore either – with smartphones and social media, making friends has become a whole different thing. And in all this rush, the things that actually help your child grow – their hobbies, their personal interests – are getting squeezed out.
However, a great childhood isn’t about being perfect. It’s about giving your child room to breathe, grow, and figure things out. This is why you must help them find balance.
When a child can manage their schoolwork, hang out with friends, and still have time for that guitar they’re learning or that soccer team they love, with a sense of balance. They start learning real-life skills – how to manage time, understand their feelings, and handle whatever comes their way.
Understand Their Individual Needs
Every child is different in their way of learning, making friends, and finding joy.
What works for one child might completely throw off another. Some kids are book-smart, while others shine on the football field or in music class. As a parent, your job is to watch and truly understand your child.
Keep an eye out for warning signs. If your child always looks tired, stops doing things they used to love, or seems moody all the time, something’s not right. This could mean they are struggling to handle everything on their tab. The best you can do is to talk with them and see how you can help.
Simplify Their Academic Efforts
Doing well in school is essential, yes. But not at the expense of your child’s happiness and health.
Teach your child to see learning as a progressive journey, not a race or something to stress about. Help them develop study habits that feel comfortable and work for them.
Create a home environment that supports learning without putting too much pressure on them. This may mean setting up regular study times, ensuring they have what they need to learn, and showing genuine interest in their school work.
Also, according to an award-winning private middle school in CT, The Country School, it’s equally important to praise your child’s home study efforts and progress, not just the marks on their report card. This helps them stay motivated and builds their confidence to keep trying, even when things get tough.
Show Them How to Build Strong Friendships
Friendships matter a lot for how children grow and learn about people. Help your child build genuine connections, teach them about respecting others, and set good boundaries. Help them understand that having a few trustworthy friends is better than knowing everyone.
Give your child chances to meet people – through sports, community groups, or after-school activities. And show them how to listen correctly, understand other people’s feelings, and solve problems when conflicts happen.
These skills aren’t just necessary now – they’ll help them throughout their lives.
Manage Their Digital Environment
Phones, tablets, and social media can take over a child’s life if you’re not careful. Technology can be great for learning and staying connected, but it can also waste hours that should be spent studying, playing with friends, or doing something they love.
Set clear rules about device use that match your child’s age. This could mean no phones during homework time, using apps that help control screen time, or keeping devices out of certain rooms in the house.
The most important thing is to show your child how to use technology responsibly by using yourself as an example they can model.
Please don’t Interfere with Their Hobbies
Hobbies aren’t just a way to pass the time—they’re essential for growing up and discovering who you are.
Whether playing sports, learning to play music, drawing, coding, or exploring outdoors, these activities help children learn new skills and build confidence outside of school.
Support your child as they try different things and find what they love. Not every hobby needs to become a career or help them get into university.
What matters is the joy of learning, getting better at something, and feeling good about what they can do. Let them explore, make mistakes, and enjoy finding what makes them confident and happy.
Wrapping Up
Kids will eventually grow to become adults, but it’s the home training they get from you that will determine the kind of adults they will become.
Your parenting style will influence their ability to nurture and sustain friendships, grow professionally, and become responsible. And it all starts now! So, use these tips we’ve shared however you can, and good luck on your parenting journey!
