Parenting by Facebook

I have to say that I am glad I raised my children when social media consisted of a call on a phone that was hooked to a wall and a letter or card that had to be put in a box, picked up by someone in a truck, and delivered to the receiving party a few days later.  Don't get me wrong, I love social media.  I love being able to keep up through pictures of people I don't see very often.  I love the ability to instantly 'chat' with someone and see them at the same time. I comment all the time how wonderful it is to be part of Parker's and Zoey's day when they are living across the state.

I worry, though about the children being raised by social media.  I think it's great (and also a little intimidating) that these children are 'technology natives'.  It's not that they have embraced technology, it's been part of their lives since birth.  It's what they know.

What worries me is how, as parents we use social media.  Back in the day, if we had a question about potty training, eating habits, bedtime routines, etc. we asked the pediatrician or we read a book written by a child expert.  Today it seems if a parent has a parenting question, they post it to their 150 Facebook friends.  I read some of the parenting suggestions and think,  NO!  That's horrible advice. Don't do that.  They are 2 or 3 or whatever.  They are trying to figure out the world! Some teacher will be trying to undo that in a few years! You have no idea how you are shaping them in the long run.

Sometimes children go through stages, they don't know any better.   It's up to parents to be patient and teach them while at the same time giving them time to learn.  Parenting is very hard. It's sacrificial.  It's sleepless nights and getting up over and over and over again.  Funny how we want teachers to give our children time to learn things but we don't give our own children that time.

I used to tell my children that just because everyone else was doing something didn't make it right.  If everyone on Facebook is suggesting you do something before you jump off and do it, think...Does this sound reasonable for this age?  Deep down, do I think this is right?  

And if all else fails, read a book written by a child development expert.  You can even do that on-line. Your child can show you how!