4 minute read
Connecting to the ‘ama2000’ children?
The world has rapidly changed, which has brought along with it challenges such as how we parent and connect with children who were born in a digital age.
By Matseleng Mogodi
We know that every person as they grow older, experience issues to work on that may challenge or develop them. For older generations it might seem like some of the ‘ama2000’ are creating chaos for their families and society.
It is interesting how the ‘ama2000’ have brought new ways of living, forcing adults to change how ‘it used to be’. For ages, most people have followed what the previous generations did with very little change.
It is important to recognise that the human race is evolving, and this change comes with huge responsibility. It therefore becomes essential to not just go with the flow, but to actually seize the opportunity to move to the next level of understanding about why things happen the way they do.
It is critical to acknowledge that the ama2000, even though sometimes considered rude and disrespectful, are able to call a ‘spade a spade’. They recognise that society is not always what it says it is. These young people see what is happening to their own families and their own communities, and struggle to merge what society says with what society does.
Gadgets on the go 24/7
These days we see a multitude of young people admitted as patients for various mental health challenges to get the help they need. Society has to self-introspect – why is it that so many thousands of young people are struggling with life and fitting in?
As parents, we love our children, and sometimes become overprotective. But because we can sometimes be overly busy, we may have overlooked our responsibility to check in and see if the distractions we offer our children have not had an adverse effect on them.
Our children, especially most of the ama2000, are always on their gadgets. Generations ago, children had variety – they played games in neighbourhood streets, got to experience nature growing up, had family meals together and so forth.
These days it seems as if young people are always on gadgets, and can be seen with earphones plugged in constantly bombarding their senses.
Parents are overwhelmed by various challenges from their children, but so are the children. Where is the middle ground to allow harmony to prevail?
Our youth need a gentler environment to thrive
Young people need a gentler environment to allow for growth and unfolding. The noise at home, at work, at school, in church, and on the roads, all add to the overload on a young person’s senses.
What have we, as adults and parents, taught these young people? Maybe we need to do something as a collective, to help alleviate the pain our children are experiencing.
The other question parents need to ask themselves is how much quality time do we spend with our children? What activities have we intentionally experienced with them? What are the things that we experienced as a child that make us smile when we reminisce about them, that we may have loved to do with our kids? Do we as parents really know our children?
It is important that we encourage the following:
For young people:
• Understand that parents have their best interests at heart and may not understand what kids want, but it is important to give parents a chance. • Do some spiritual exercises, whether prayer or meditation, or both. • Learn to do good for others; start with being gentle to self, family, animals, and other people. • Take time off from gadgets; know that the information you seek will be there even after a few hours. Do not let the outside world dictate how your life should look. You are enough as you are. • Know that there is still a huge opportunity for you to have a great life, because you are your own responsibility, your future begins now. • Appreciate your life and your talents, and if you don’t know what they are, just know they are there, open up to let them shine. • Don’t compare yourself to others; it’s the worst mind-messing exercise. Be grateful for who and what you are.
For parents:
• It’s important to take a step back, and really hear what your children are telling you. • Create a safe space, with rules and boundaries, but safe enough for your children to be able to speak to you first, before friends or outsiders. • Do some self-introspection, and work on the relationship with your children. • Let them loose but look after them. Let them soar and take up opportunities.
Matseleng Mogodi is an educator, property expert as well as an executive and life coach.
