Gen Z and Millennial parents have revealed the top 20 things their mums and dads did that they would never do with their own children
Modern parenting habits are worlds away from previous generations(Image: Getty Images)
Parents have revealed the top 20 things their own mums and dads did that they would never do with their children today. A poll of 2,000 parents of under-18s found modern parenting habits are a world away from previous generations, with many refusing to adopt similar tricks to their parents.
Top of the “absolutely not” list is smoking around babies. Some 45% said their parents did it when they were young, but they wouldn’t dream of doing it now. And one in five said they were left in a buggy outside a shop as a baby, something they’d never consider with their own little ones.
Other old-school parenting “no nos” include rubbing whisky on gums to soothe teething (39%), letting young children babysit (32%), and feeding babies sweets or chocolate (29%).
Ana Halla, brand manager from Colief which commissioned the research to mark the launch of its new Nappy Care Spray, said: “Parents definitely had more of a relaxed approach back in the day, but previous generations were just doing their best.
“We know that the parenting journey can be stressful, but with simple solutions and advice, you can make easy and safe habits to help little ones.”
Overall, the top three sources of advice for mums and dads are healthcare professionals, family members, and friends with children. Gen Z parents are the most likely to consult AI for hints and tips (62%).
However, the study also found more than half (53%) of Gen Z parents often receive unsolicited parenting advice, compared with 38% of older Millennial parents aged 30-45.
Of the advice given in a baby’s first 12 months, Gen Z parents said just 35% was helpful — compared to Gen X parents (45-61), who only found a quarter useful.
The three most helpful tips were “trust your instincts”, “sleep when you can” and “accept help when offered”. But Gen Z (four in 10) and Millennial parents (28%) were more likely to feel criticised when they didn’t follow advice.
Ana Halla for Colief Nappy Care Spray, which is designed to clean, protect and help prevent nappy rash from day one, added: “Despite being confident to go their own way and sometimes feeling criticised, younger parents are also listening to their own mums and dads and picking up habits to make life with their children less stressful.
“It’s clear to see most parents are trying to make big changes in how we raise the younger generations and using new products and technologies to move away from these old school parenting techniques.”
THE 20 THINGS OUR PARENTS DID – THAT WON’T GET PASSED DOWN THE GENERATIONS
- Smoking around babies
- Leaving a baby in a buggy outside a shop
- Rubbing whisky on gums for teething
- Letting young children babysit the baby
- Feeding babies sweets or chocolate
- Giving babies a bottle of tea
- Follow the ‘cry-it-out’ method
- Leaving the baby for an extended time to entertain themselves
- Giving water or juice before six months
- Introducing solids before six months
- Leaving the home un-baby-proofed
- Kissing newborn babies
- Hosting visitors as soon as you are home from the hospital
- Not holding the baby too much so they don’t get too attached
- Having toys or comforters in the cot
- Solving nappy rash by ‘airing it out’
- Letting the baby nap anywhere
- Bathing the baby every day
- Dads going back to work early
- Sleeping when the baby sleeps
#parenting #tricks #Gen #Millennials #refuse #repeat #kids
