Unraveling Contemporary Parenting Challenges

• In Event: 082 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session I
  In Refereed Roundtable: A. Table 12. Family I

Abstract

In this paper, we contend that contemporary parenting challenges can be addressed with prominent parenting and child development philosophies created and popularized before these challenges existed. For example, many parents worry about the amount and the content of internet exposure and “screen time” that their children experience. Parents also express dismay at their inability to control their children’s access to the internet and screen-based technologies. We propose techniques for understanding and managing both that are derived from Maria Montessori’s philosophy of child development created more than 60 years ago (see Montessori, 1972; Montessori, 1999) and from a more recent and popular approach to parenting commonly known as “Love and Logic” (see Fay & Fay, 2000). We demonstrate that common technology-related parenting challenges mirror other behaviors parents typically want to impact in their children. Next, we offer concrete strategies for addressing these new facets of childhood informed by “classic” parenting techniques. Finally, we propose that understanding this application is likely to enhance parents’ ability to address other new parenting challenges as may arise.

Authors

• Mel Moore, University of Northern Colorado

• Tunisha Hairston-Brown, Denver Public Schools