7 Tips for Millennial Moms

4 minutes

Like so many aspects of life, the way mothers raise their children has changed radically in recent years. Learn 7 things that help millennial moms enjoy motherhood.

Reviewed and approved by the psychologist María Alejandra Castro Arbeláez.

Written by Marisol Rendón Manrique

Last update: 27 December, 2022

The new generation of millennial moms is very different from all those that came before. Their vision of education, family and maternity are also different. The great changes that took place in society in the 1980s and 90s marked a transformation regarding which concepts are considered acceptable, and which ones are not.

Millennial moms decided to make a major turn in regards to their child-raising strategies. Children today have different needs, and mothers must respond to those demands effectively. This list of suggestions will help you keep in mind some key points about maternity in these modern times.

What millennial moms need to know

1. Emphasize affection with your little ones

Establishing clear rules and limits is very important so that children know how you expect them to behave. But parents also need to remember that c hildren don’t see the world through your eyes. They don’t process the world the way you do.

Besides discipline and rules, give your children affection, understanding and fun.

Dr. Jean Twenge explains the following:

“Millennials are just as likely as previous generations, for example, to want to get married and have a family. They’re similar in a lot of their goals and values. But, there’s also some fairly distinct differences in the way they see the world. They tend to, as a very general rule, be more focused on themselves and less focused on things outside themselves compared to the way boomers and gen Xers were at the same age.”

2. Consider the changes in traditional concepts of gender

Millennial moms face a major change when it comes to gender roles. Many mothers opt for gender neutral toys that make no distinction between feminine and masculine.

You can adapt to this tendency or choose to follow a more traditional model. What’s most important is that your decision be a thoughtful one.

3. Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty about it

Spoiling your children and giving them everything they want might feel good at the time, but it won’t last. When you try to satisfy your children’s every request, you’re doing them no favor as far as their personal growth.

A child who gets everything he or she wants becomes an adult who can’t handle negative responses. Saying “no” is often something that’s hard for millennial moms to do. However, it’s also a way to help their children build strong character.

4. Learn to distinguish between good and bad advice

When you face motherhood for the first time, you get an abundance of advice on how to raise your children. It’s not always easy to sort out what’s valuable and what doesn’t really align with your principles.

Millennial moms need to keep in mind that our mothers and grandmothers hold many myths about child raising. Scientific analysis has disproved many theories and old wives tales of the past. Do your own research before putting these suggestions into practice.

5. Your child won’t be perfect

As a mother, you’ll invest a great deal of effort in raising perfect children. However, these expectations are healthy for anyone. Your children may have episodes of inappropriate behavior and may sometimes lack discipline. They may also develop in an unconventional way.

Part of being a parent means being prepared for the unexpected and having a realistic outlook on things.

6. There will always be mistakes – yours and your child’s

Learning to forgive yourself and your children is one of the most important parts of being a parent. Neither you nor your children are superheroes. Therefore, you’ll always make mistakes.

Things can go wrong sometimes, and that doesn’t mean you’re not a good mother. Take advantage of your mistakes and turn them into teachable moments, allowing you and your children to grow.

7. Set aside quality time

In this day and age, mothers and fathers have a lot of responsibilities and activities. This makes it hard to have quality time with our kids. However, dedicating time to your children should be a priority in family life.

You can make a huge difference just by spending a few minutes focused 100% on your children. By doing so, you make your children feel special, and remind them that you’re available and they can trust you.

Even if you’re not a millennial mom, you can still put these tips into practice. Without a doubt, they’ll be useful for you as you raise your little ones. They’ll be sure to help improve family dynamics and help you all get along much better.