Family life looks so different today than it did fifty years ago. Heck, even twenty years ago! Over time, life – and, in turn, parenting – changes. From the ever elusive work-life balance to mom guilt, gentle parenting over reactive parenting – society has put so much pressure on caregivers that we often lose sight of what really matters. Here are five ways parenting has changed over the years – and it’s not all for the better!

Couples are creating their own rules when it comes to family.

Average family structures have modernized in the last few decades and couples are breaking from convention where children are involved. Years ago you met someone, got married, and popped out two or three (or more) kids! But couples are opting to spend more time alone and are often having children much later in their relationship – if they choose to have kids at all.

Parenting has entered the digital age.

The tech available when it comes to getting pregnant, giving birth, raising a child, and beyond is really staggering! The internet really is a wonderful thing! But having a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips can sometimes cause more harm than good.

• Conceiving. There are multiple apps available for tracking fertility making the act of getting pregnant a little less complicated.
• Pregnancy. Expecting mothers can follow their pregnancy journey and gain more insight into what’s happening with their body and their unborn child. Plus, info on how to have a more healthy pregnancy!
• Birth. Due to medical advances in the last fifty years, prenatal health can be monitored more closely.
• Infancy. Gadgets, like baby monitors, offer a video feature, as well as motion detection and respiratory and heart rate monitoring.
• Development. I’ve got two words for you – screen. time!! Kids are learning online, doing their school work on computers and socializing through a screen.

However helpful the world wide web may seem, there are definitely some serious downfalls as well. Relying on the internet for solid advice can send you down the wrong path and may be damaging, so take the information you collect with a grain of salt. The distractions of screens and social media are very real, not only for children, but for adults. Making screen time a positive experience is important – for all parties.

Beware the internet.

Two things parents need to consider when it comes to their (and their children’s) internet usage is the safety of their personal info and online intimidation. Not everyone who you or your family may come into contact with has the best intentions online.

Keeping your family’s information (address, full name, phone number, age, and other personal details) private is very important. Scammers can easily infiltrate personal accounts and our kids may not know they’re dealing with dangerous strangers on the web.

How we interact online can definitely come back to bite us in the ass in the future! So it’s important to instill in our children to follow the golden rule when using the internet – treat others the way you would want to be treated. Plus, really watch what they post and share on social media!

There’s a definite shift in the family dynamic.

Back in the day the husband was the main bread winner of the family and the little wifey stayed home with the kids. Though stay-at-home-moms are still very prevalent, women are working full time outside the home and are often surpassing their spouse when it comes to household income.

Hey there, working momma! Here’s some tips for creating a routine for work and home!

Not too long ago it was more difficult to get maternity leave in some countries. Now, parental leave can be available to both parents! Dads are taking on a larger role as a parent and are more hands on with raising their kids. Equality between partners is becoming more evenly dispersed – finally!

Way cooler gear for kids.

I’m amazed at all the cool gear for babies and kids that have come out (or come back) in the last decade since we had our daughter! Let alone how stuff has changed in the last half century!

• Sleep & diaper needs. Disposable diapers replaced the cloth variety. Now, cloth diapers are making a comeback! Back sleeping is acceptable (and recommended) for infants and the nursery furniture is out of this world gorgeous!
• Car Seats & Strollers. Car seats are law. Plus, they are super cool looking – and super safe. Choosing a stroller is like picking out a luxury car – they’ve become a status symbol!
• Clothes & Accessories. Way more selection. Baby clothes and accessories of today are like mini grownup clothes!
• Toys. The classics are still on the market, though they’ve been updated, and early play is focused more on learning and development!
• Tech. The older your child gets the more electronic the toy becomes! Toddlers have their own little phone just like mommy and daddy!

Partners are more prepared.

There’s a clear-cut advantage of choosing to have children (if you decide to do so) later in life. From our experience, having our daughter later rather than earlier prepared us financially, mentally, and emotionally for the journey. Being more financially stable can allow you to plan for the necessary expenses that come with having a child. Thinking about saving for their education, family vacations, and providing (read: spoiling) for them are important things to think about and budget for.

Beyond these five ways parenting has changed over the years …

… and they will continue to change and grow – the main objective never shifts. We all want to raise our children to be happy and healthy and lead a fulfilling life – so we can move in with them when we’re old and decrepit!

What has been your most cherished (or useful) item or piece of tech you used when raising your kids?