When I discovered my son had turned to Google for tips on solving the Rubik’s Cube, my reaction was intense—comparable only to the time I learned from my cousin that professional wrestling isn’t real. I went on a lengthy rant about how using online resources to figure it out is essentially cheating, arguing that the true essence of the Rubik’s Cube lies in the frustration and challenge it brings to children. My son simply looked at me, bewildered, as if he was witnessing a meltdown.
I genuinely appreciate technology; it’s my field of work, after all. It’s astonishing to think that today’s children won’t experience life without the constant presence of technology. My youngest will never know the days of communicating over the phone without video, and my daughter won’t face the trials of navigating a card catalog. However, I find myself drawing a line when it comes to using technology for tasks like solving a Rubik’s Cube.
Let me clarify—I’ve certainly searched for some odd queries myself. During my pregnancy with my first child, I once asked Google, “Can you break your vagina?” during a particularly painful contraction (it turned out to be just contractions, and I would have preferred an actual break). My husband and I even transformed our front yard into a garden, inspired by the Lawn Ranger’s instructional videos, once we got past our laughter.
At what point does our reliance on technology hinder self-sufficiency? Children nowadays seldom need to solve problems on their own; they simply search for answers online. My generation, Gen X, is characterized by skepticism and a “trust but verify” approach. In contrast, Millennials seem to experience a prolonged transition into adulthood, often relying more on their parents than any previous generation.
Entitlement, I believe, is a behavior that can be learned. So how do I ensure my children grow up feeling less entitled in a world where technology simplifies everything? Every generation aspires to offer better opportunities for their children, yet my kids must learn that freedom without responsibility is meaningless. No amount of shortcuts can substitute for hard work. Sure, using technology might expedite success, but the sense of achievement will never match that which comes from genuine effort.
Today, we witness a rise in helicopter parenting—a trend rooted in love but potentially detrimental. What happens when these children, accustomed to constant guidance, step into the real world? How do we cultivate self-sufficiency when every interaction has been overly managed? As parents, we must balance our instinct to protect with the need to foster independence, all while fearing that we might not be doing enough.
Raising the next generation of thinkers and leaders is an ongoing challenge. Whether as parents, relatives, educators, or friends, we must reflect on the qualities we wish to instill in them. It can be overwhelming to step back from the daily demands of parenting, but perhaps this reflection is essential for understanding the traits that will support their growth into capable adults. Once we identify these traits, we can adopt a parenting style that nurtures them, allowing us to feel more in control of the outcomes.
This article was originally published on June 30, 2015.
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Summary
The article discusses the author’s strong reaction to her son using Google to find solutions for the Rubik’s Cube, reflecting on the broader implications of technology on self-reliance in children. It highlights the challenges of parenting in a tech-driven world, the importance of fostering independence, and the delicate balance between protection and guidance.
Keyphrase: Parenting and Technology
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