Why Is Parenting So Much Harder Now? Let’s Get Real!

The Endless Pressure of Modern Parenting

Okay, let’s be honest — parenting today feels like running a marathon with weights strapped to your legs. Just last week, I was venting to my friend Sarah (she has three kids, bless her), and we both sighed: “Why does it feel like our parents had it easier?” And honestly, I used to think maybe we were just imagining it. But nope.

Social media makes everything visible

Back in the day, no one knew if your kid threw a tantrum in the grocery store. Now? One photo or viral TikTok, and suddenly you feel like the whole world is judging your parenting. It’s exhausting. I catch myself comparing my messy, chaotic family dinners to those perfect Instagram moms — you know, the ones with matching outfits and homemade organic meals — and I end up feeling like crap.

The “perfect parent” myth

Let’s not kid ourselves: no one is a perfect parent. But these days, it feels like you’re supposed to be. Perfectly balanced meals, perfectly enriching activities, perfectly regulated screen time… ugh. Sometimes I just want to scream, “Can I please be a little imperfect without guilt?”

Economic and societal changes hit hard

Two incomes, no time

When my parents raised us, my mom stayed home (not saying that’s ideal, just noting the difference). Today, most families need two incomes just to survive. That means less time, more stress, and — let’s be real — a lot more guilt. You rush home from work, try to squeeze in homework help, dinner, maybe a bedtime story… and by the end, you’re totally wiped out.

Overwhelming choices everywhere

I used to think more choices were good. Now I’m not so sure. There are a thousand parenting books, a million online articles, every decision (cloth diapers or disposable? Montessori or public school?) feels like life or death. I once spent an entire evening panicking over which baby monitor to buy — no joke. And here’s the kicker: I’m not even sure it made any difference.

The emotional toll parents carry today

Fear, anxiety, and constant worry

Let’s face it, the world feels scarier. Whether it’s news about school shootings, cyberbullying, or climate change, parents carry a heavy emotional load. I sometimes lie awake wondering, “Am I doing enough to protect them?” And honestly, sometimes I change my mind mid-thought — like, is shielding them helpful, or should I be teaching resilience instead?

The personal guilt trap

Here’s a raw confession: I once forgot to sign my kid up for soccer, and for days, I felt like the worst parent alive. Rationally, I know missing one season isn’t the end of the world. But emotionally? It stung. Parenting today often feels like walking a tightrope between doing your best and feeling like you’re failing anyway.

Are we making it harder on ourselves?

Unrealistic expectations

Sarah pointed this out in our chat: “Sometimes I wonder if we’re the problem. Are we expecting too much of ourselves?” And honestly, she’s right. Maybe we set the bar too high. Maybe we need to let go of some control, trust ourselves, and — dare I say it — embrace a little chaos.

Rediscovering joy in the small moments

I’ve started trying (not always successfully) to focus on the little wins: the giggles at bedtime, the proud smile when they show me their school drawing, the random hug out of nowhere. These are the moments that remind me why I’m doing this, even when it feels impossibly hard.

So, why is parenting so much harder now? It’s a messy mix of social pressures, economic challenges, emotional weight, and maybe… just maybe… our own impossible standards. But hey, you’re here, you care, you’re trying — and honestly? That’s already pretty amazing. If you ever wanna swap stories or frustrations, hit me up. We’re all in this together!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.