by Claudia Noriega Bernstein
Scrolling through my social media, I stumbled upon a shocking tweet: "Now kids in schools are doing unimaginable things with cough syrup. This is why we have bigger battles than just external threats – we're doing enough harm to ourselves." I was stunned. What’s going on? Who are these kids, and why are they making such reckless choices?
While every generation has its share of youthful mistakes, it seems that today’s outrageous behaviors are reaching new extremes. What motivates such dangerous ideas, and why do some kids feel compelled to follow them? The world has changed significantly since I was a teenager, and today’s youth face challenges that my daughters never did. Despite these differences, one constant remains: when children make poor decisions, many parents blame external influences—media, music, social media—rather than examining their own role in their children’s upbringing.
Are parents so consumed by work that they have no time left for parenting? Or are we raising kids in a world where everything is permissible under the banner of “I have the right to do what I want”? What happened to setting boundaries? Have they gone out of fashion?
It’s hard to fathom a teenager agreeing to such inappropriate behavior, especially allowing it to be photographed. Yet, 69% of parents admit they have no clear strategy for raising well-rounded, successful children. Parenting is undeniably challenging. While no one has all the answers, there are critical mistakes we simply can’t afford to make.
So, where did we go wrong? Family dynamics have shifted, with many households now operating like democracies where every decision is up for negotiation. But let’s be honest: children don’t need equal say in every matter; they need guidance from parents who lead by example.
Kids learn their biggest lessons by observing the adults around them. They watch how we handle stress, solve problems, treat others, and take responsibility for our actions. Parenting isn’t just about giving orders—it’s about modeling the behavior we want to see. If we want our children to be kind, respectful, and responsible, we need to embody those traits ourselves.
Despite being more connected and resourceful than ever, today’s youth still long for the same things we did at their age: to be seen, loved, and to belong. They seek validation and identity, often in the wrong places—like on social media or with harmful peer groups. The rise of digital culture has created new challenges, but our role as parents remains unchanged: we must be the primary influence in our children’s lives, not their screens.
So how do we correct course? It starts by acknowledging there’s a problem. Parents need to reclaim their authority and responsibility. It’s not the job of schools, communities, or media to teach children values—that responsibility lies squarely with us. We need to set boundaries, be involved, ask questions, and show up for our kids, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Parenting isn’t a popularity contest. Our children need guidance, structure, and consistent values, not parents trying to be their best friends. By setting high standards and leading by example, we can help our children make better choices and develop self-respect. This is the foundation of raising well-rounded, responsible adults.
At the end of the day, our kids will emulate what they see in us. So let’s be the role models they need, regardless of their age. Parenting may be overwhelming at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Let’s take that responsibility seriously, stay engaged, and remember that we are shaping the next generation—one decision at a time.
Instagram: @Claudia_Noriega_Bernstein
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