The Courage to Say NO or YES: Navigating Parenting Decisions in Current Times

Do you find yourself remising about “the good old days”? When we had more “freedom” to play and just be kids? Perhaps I’m giving my age away now. Humour aside, no season is exempt from challenges. Raising children in the present era is very different to previous eras but every era has some kind of pressure or challenge. Parenting is an incredibly rewarding journey, but it can also be stretching.

Life has thrown all of us some curveballs in the last five years. We list the events quite casually almost as though the trauma and horror of Covid, then Looting and then flooding is something we are now almost detached from.

For each person those 3 major events still bring back a range of emotions. For some there has been healing. For others, there still needs to be healing. Time is not the healer, rather what we do with our time. How is this related to the courage to say yes or no

 What I have observed is that these events were an opportunity to reassess what is important in life, in relationships and how we parent our children. Each family unit is unique and has a unique way of connecting and doing life. Life would not be colourful if we all dressed the same, looked the same and never disagreed. Through healthy conversations and hearing different perspectives we have opportunity to learn and grow.

Today’s world is overflowing with opinions, especially with the constant influence of social media. It’s easy to find ourselves following those with the strongest voices on parenting and other topics. Sometimes, these voices add pressure, making us feel as though there’s a set formula for being a “good parent.” Other times saying no when everyone is saying yes can be difficult, especially if those choices don’t resonate with what we feel is right and what we know is right for our family. When in doubt, I like to ask myself: “What is right for my family, my children, and my relationships right now?” Because every “yes” to one thing is a “no” to something else—perhaps even to your own instincts or needs. Choosing to say “no” when everyone else says “yes” takes courage, but it’s essential to remember that we all see the world through different lenses.

My intention isn’t to create debate or division, but rather to encourage you to focus on what truly matters to you and your family before succumbing to external pressures or expectations. Take time to pause. Give yourself permission to listen to your gut instinct and weigh whether a decision aligns with your personal and family’s goals, values, and beliefs. It’s okay to step back, reflect, and be intentional with your choices. That is true courage!