{"id":2355,"date":"2025-01-31T12:28:34","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T17:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/?p=2355"},"modified":"2025-01-31T16:59:40","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T21:59:40","slug":"parenting-the-anxious-generation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/","title":{"rendered":"Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_t=&#8221;30&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;30&#8243; row_hide_sm=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_md=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_xs=&#8221;yes&#8221; css_zindex=&#8221;999&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1706567709549{background-color: #faf5eb !important;}&#8221;][vc_column]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><div class=\"container-fluid row_section vc_row_cp_lr_15 vc_row_cp_t_0 vc_row_cp_b_0\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-15 rdy_vc_row-o-equal-height rdy_vc_row-flex vc_row-6953ab9609f01318672520\"   style=' text-align:left; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4 vc_column_container_6953ab960a057443297043\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\r\n\t<div class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_single_image_1 wpb_content_element vc_align_left\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/\" target=\"_self\"><div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1458\" height=\"217\" src=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ASI-Logo.Horiz_.RGB-150r.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"ASI Logo.Horiz.RGB 150r\" \/><\/div><\/a>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8 vc_column_container_6953ab960a563224529144 column_vertical_align_bottom\" style=\"text-align:right;z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t  <style>\n\/* Style The Dropdown Button *\/\n.dropbtn2 {\n  background-color: #faf5eb;\n  color: white;\n  padding: 10px 14px 10px 14px;\n  text-align: center;\n  font-size: 12px;\n  border: none;\n  cursor: pointer;\n}\n\n\/* The container <div> - needed to position the dropdown content *\/\n.dropdown {\n  position: relative;\n  display: inline-block;\n}\n\n\/* Dropdown Content (Hidden by Default) *\/\n.dropdown-content {\n  display: none;\n  position: absolute;\n  text-align: left;\n  background-color: #f9f9f9;\n  min-width: 100px;\n  box-shadow: 0px 8px 16px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);\n  z-index: 10000;\n}\n\n\/* Links inside the dropdown *\/\n.dropdown-content a {\n  color: black;\n  padding: 12px 16px;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  display: block;\n}\n\n\/* Change color of dropdown links on hover *\/\n.dropdown-content a:hover {background-color: #f1f1f1}\n\n\/* Show the dropdown menu on hover *\/\n.dropdown:hover .dropdown-content {\n  display: block;\n}\n<\/div> \n<\/style>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/about-us\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">ABOUT US<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/philosophy-of-education\/\">Philosophy<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/history\/\">History<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/faith-commitment\/\">Faith Commitment<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/accreditation\/\">Accreditation<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/staff-and-board\/\">Staff and Board<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/employment\/\">Employment<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/get-in-touch\/\">Contact Us<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/frequently-asked-questions\/\">FAQ<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.sharepoint.com\/sites\/ASIAllMember\" target=\"_blank\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">MEMBERS<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/member-school-benefits\/\">Member School Benefits<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/find-a-member-school\/\">Find a Member School<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.sharepoint.com\/sites\/ASIAllMember\" target=\"_blank\">Member School Login<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/employment\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">JOBS<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> |\n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/get-in-touch\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">CONTACT US<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/stay-in-touch\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">SIGN UP<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/donate\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:#507F70;\">DONATE<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/ways-to-give\/\">Ways to Give<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/donate\/\">Donate<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_lr=&#8221;60&#8243; custom_padding_t=&#8221;45&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;45&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1643667117141{background-image: url(https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/About-Us.jpg?id=146) !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Ambleside Schools International Articles&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h6|font_size:45|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff&#8221; font_title_responsive=&#8221;true&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_t=&#8221;0&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;0&#8243; row_hide_sm=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_md=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_xs=&#8221;yes&#8221; css_zindex=&#8221;998&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1706567716885{background-color: #003865 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><div class=\"container row_section hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm hidden-xs vc_row_p_30\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-30 vc_row-6953ab960ab5d072430820\"   style=' text-align:center; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 vc_column_container_6953ab960ac95398365801\" style=\"text-align:center;z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t  <style>\n\/* Style The Dropdown Button *\/\n.dropbtn {\n  background-color: #003865;\n  color: white;\n  padding: 20px 16px 20px 16px;;\n  text-align: center;\n  font-size: 16px;\n  border: none;\n  cursor: pointer;\n}\n\n\/* The container <div> - needed to position the dropdown content *\/\n.dropdown {\n  position: relative;\n  display: inline-block;\n}\n\n\/* Dropdown Content (Hidden by Default) *\/\n.dropdown-content {\n  display: none;\n  position: absolute;\n  text-align: left;\n  background-color: #f9f9f9;\n  min-width: 200px;\n  box-shadow: 0px 8px 16px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);\n  z-index: 10000;\n}\n\n\/* Links inside the dropdown *\/\n.dropdown-content a {\n  color: black;\n  padding: 12px 16px;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  display: block;\n}\n\n\/* Change color of dropdown links on hover *\/\n.dropdown-content a:hover {background-color: #f1f1f1}\n\n\/* Show the dropdown menu on hover *\/\n.dropdown:hover .dropdown-content {\n  display: block;\n}\n<\/div> \n<\/style>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"container-fluid row_section vc_row_cp_t_0 vc_row_cp_b_0\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-30 vc_row-6953ab960ae18774093564\"   style=' text-align:center; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953ab960aed7707476814\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/member-schools\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Member Schools<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/find-a-member-school\/\">Find a Member School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/the-ambleside-difference\/\">The Ambleside Difference<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/curriculum\/\">Curriculum<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/employment\/\">Employment<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953ab960b007870375403\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/why-start-a-school\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\" ><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Starting a School<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/how-we-help\/\">How We Help<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/why-start-a-school\/\">Why Start a School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/founding-a-school\/\">Founding a School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/converting-a-school\/\">Converting a School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/how-to-get-started\/\">How to Get Started<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953ab960b11c270120847\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/training\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Education & Training<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/three-day-internship\/\">Three-Day Internship<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/summer-institute\/\">Summer Institute<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953ab960b221103834601\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschooling\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Homeschooling<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/mentor-program\/\">Mentor Program<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschooling-costs\/\">Program Costs<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschool-curriculum-and-resources\/\">Curriculum & Resources<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschool-application\/\">Application<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschool-renewal-form\/\/\">Membership Renewal<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953ab960b323157782059\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/resources\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Resources<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/resources\/\">Library<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/charlotte-mason\/\">Charlotte M. Mason<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/blog\/\">Articles & Magazine<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/the-ambleside-difference\/\">Video Series<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.sharepoint.com\/sites\/ASIAllMember\">Member Resources<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_t=&#8221;45&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;45&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image source=&#8221;featured_image&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; img_size=&#8221;stretch&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_separator width_in_percentages=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Browse more Ambleside Schools International <strong>Resources<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_separator width_in_percentages=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><div class=\"container row_section vc_row_cp_lr_15 vc_row_cp_t_0\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-30 vc_row-6953ab960b728679333136\"   style=' text-align:left; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 vc_column_container_6953ab960b818783516139\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953ab960b93d099701498\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/resources\/\">Resource Library<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"vc_empty_space  vc_empty_space_2\"   style=\"height: 10px\" ><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953ab960baa5317225914\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/charlotte-mason\/\">Charlotte M. Mason<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"vc_empty_space  vc_empty_space_3\"   style=\"height: 10px\" ><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953ab960bbb6937948853\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/blog\/\">Articles<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"vc_empty_space  vc_empty_space_4\"   style=\"height: 10px\" ><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953ab960bc6d728058995\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amblesideschools.com\/main\/educator-support\" target=\"_blank\">Members<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/blog\/\"><span style=\"color: #003865;\">&gt; Return to Articles<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23020202&#8243;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_separator width_in_percentages=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]<span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">When hosting people for dinner, I sometimes feel anxiety creeping onto me regarding my not-updated home, or how basic a meal I\u2019ve prepared, or some fruitless comparison with others. The escape of that anxiety, I\u2019ve found, is not to clean more, bake more, or rearrange centerpieces. It is to bring my thoughts up to another plane entirely. My \u201chigher plane\u201d is to remember that my guests do not long to be impressed; they long to be welcomed, to have a feeling of home. When I climb to that higher vision of hosting, my anxiety drains out. I am then in line with God\u2019s heart, I am inspired, I know it is not about me, and I\u2019m freed from performance. \u2018Home\u2019 is a higher plane for my focus than \u2018perfection.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">I had coffee this week with a young mom whose daughter is approaching high school. Her child (and 3 of my own) are of \u201cThe Anxious Generation,\u201d as named by <\/span>NYU social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, whose well-researched book examines the social, emotional and cognitive impacts of the \u201cgreat rewiring of childhood\u201d by social media and a phone-based culture, which is causing an epidemic of anxiety and other destructive disorders for our youth.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Many thoughtful articles and blogs have responded to Haidt\u2019s excellent work, and consultants have popped up to help parents lessen the grip of anxiety on their children. Below are quotes I\u2019ve heard from these secular sources, and some of you likely have heard too. They are intended to help parents limit tech use, and each contains some truth. But our Christian faith and practice give us a vantage point and direction that most don\u2019t have; let\u2019s explore how we can \u201crise to a higher plane entirely.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy number one job as a parent is to keep you safe.\u201d Is it? Does reading those words make anxiety bubble up? The secondary message is that danger is central, is always looming, your job is never done, and your child can\u2019t handle it without you. But our true job is on a higher plane entirely: \u201cMy role (and joy) is to obey the Good Shepherd in loving you and guiding you in paths of righteousness, toward maturity and a flourishing life.\u201d Do you feel the \u201caaah\u201d in that? \u2013 the calm, hope and sweet anticipation for life? Home is a fertile field where good can grow; why would we mar that good with anything lesser for our children, especially before it is absolutely necessary? Parenting is the privilege of nurturing, instructing, training, and enjoying goodness and beauty in fellowship with young humans who will become your favorite adults in the whole world.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy job is to establish tech safety; my kid\u2019s job is to develop emotional regulation skills by experiencing and expressing their feelings, (including reactions to boundaries).\u201d While this process may occur, let\u2019s not assume we must be (or that it\u2019s our job to be!) in an adversarial role with our children. A child\u2019s role is actually the same as ours: to love and obey and learn and grow and mature to a life of flourishing. I am under authority just as is my child. I must do what is right even when it is hard, just as my child must. Our children are persons who belong to the Lord, as are we. We don\u2019t own our children; we are merely stewards in the service of the One to whom they and we all belong.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">\u201cA factor that counteracts anxiety is feeling competent and capable.\u201d This is partly true, but some of the most competent and capable people are still the most anxious. What really counteracts anxiety is learning to live on a different plane, where we accept God\u2019s grace and forgiveness, gladly obey our good, good Father, and leave outcomes in His hands. \u201cHis <\/span>peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus\u201d (Philippians 4:6-7) \u201cThe effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.\u201d (Isaiah 32:17)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want to communicate with our kids from a place of believing in them.\u201d I don\u2019t \u201cbelieve in\u201d my children. As Oswald Chambers said, \u201cOur Lord trusted no man; yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, never in despair about any man, because He put God first in trust; He trusted absolutely in what God\u2019s grace could do for any man.\u201d I believe our children are gloriously created in God\u2019s image, and are also as prone to fail as I am. We must know where they are weak and not overwhelm them. Giving technology too soon is like hanging a tire swing on a sapling \u2013 it overwhelms and deforms growth. But we also need not despair, because we have a Redeemer who is able to transform our children, and us, by His grace and goodness.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">\u201cTalk with other parents. No judgement, no morality. Say, \u2018I\u2019ve been thinking about how to ensure our kids feel less anxious&#8230;how to make it easier for our kids.\u2019\u201d This may \u2018feed the giant\u2019 of anxiety while attempting to be freed from the giant. We actually can\u2019t ensure what anyone else feels; we often can\u2019t or shouldn\u2019t make things easier for our kids; and morality <\/span>is a factor. But we can model and teach them to \u201cdo hard\u201d and \u201cdo right\u201d no matter what others do, and encourage others to do likewise.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have the right to change the rules whenever I need to for your safety\u2026My boundaries might change.\u201d But we must not be arbitrary. And telling our children that boundaries may change invites continuous debate, which adds additional stress. As a parent under God\u2019s authority you are responsible to do what is good and right. If a change becomes necessary, perhaps say: \u201cI\u2019m so sorry. I didn\u2019t make a careful decision that was for your flourishing. (Or \u201cI now have more information.\u201d) I need to realign with what is best for you. Please forgive me for exposing you to what is less than for your long-term good.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>More notes for a peaceful home:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Make home a place where your child\u2019s heart can rest<\/strong>\u00a0from performance anxiety and comparison. Yes, you must train and establish habits at home, but your child\u2019s worth and acceptance should not be linked to their performance. Make home their cozy place, their loved place, the place where their spirits can be refreshed. Be \u201ctheir people\u201d, their main tribe. May they say of us, \u201cMy parents are on my side to make me a better person. I can leave the chaos and nastiness of other parts of life behind when I come home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Develop your child\u2019s affinities for\u00a0better\u00a0things than screens<\/strong>. My toddler granddaughter sat in church on Sunday with a wrapped bite-sized Snickers in her hand. She was happy to peacefully hold it, with no urge to open it, because she has not yet tasted Snickers \u2013 she has not yet had her affinities trained to desire what is inside. Similarly, the easiest time to say no to addictive technology is before your child\u2019s brain is wired with a strong affinity to it. Apps are designed to be even more addictive than Snickers, especially to immature brains; they bend users\u2019 affinities to desire them ever more. If you don\u2019t begin the expectation for additional tech, you will have much more peace in your home. Calmly redirect youngsters\u2019 attention to the things you do as a family instead \u2013 we bike, we hike, we have picnics with friends, we sled, we visit family, we play games, we read stories out loud, we sing, we build, we dance.\u00a0 Grow a variety of better and real things in your garden of life!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><strong>You cannot give what you do not have<\/strong>. <\/span>If you are glued to your phone (as I too often am), or if you are addicted to certain online activities, you send the message to your children that \u201cthis is where it\u2019s at!\u201d You are showing them where to find pleasure, and they will set their affections as you do. Becoming the kind of person that you hope for your child to be is the hard and most humbling work of parenting.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>With each parenting decision, ask yourself, \u201cWill this nurture my child\u2019s character and help them grow in wisdom and virtue?\u201d<\/strong> <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">This question led us to forgo gaming devices entirely. We see technology as a sometimes-useful tool, and only add it to our children\u2019s lives once it truly becomes needed, and after we try less life-altering alternatives.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Before high school, phones are unnecessary (with rare exceptions, such as for a student who rides a subway to 7th grade). Younger children should always be in the presence of a responsible adult (coach, carpool parent, etc.) who can call or text for them if a need arises.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">For high school students, good <a title=\"https:\/\/www.turninglifeon.org\/smartphone-alternatives\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turninglifeon.org\/smartphone-alternatives\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"0\">alternatives<\/a> to smartphones exist. Yes, your child will miss out on some social activities and interactions, but they will gain much more in face-to-face skills and varied interests.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Computers should always be located where adults are present and aware.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">After our young adults were old enough to travel independently, especially on public transit systems in college, we felt smartphones were necessary. By that time they were mature enough to not depend on them for securing social status or for feeding immature impulses.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Each of our children has thanked us for not giving phones to them sooner. Our two youngest have thus far decided not to use social media. All four are well-balanced, happy, productive and interesting! Much of life is \u201cpay now\u201d or \u201cpay later.\u201d We \u201cpaid early\u201d in doing a hard thing that has yielded excellent long-term returns in their lives and ours. We have watched the \u201cpay later\u201d approach often bring costly sorrows as Haidt describes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><strong>Gifts given by Ambleside<\/strong>.<\/span> It warms my heart to pull up at afternoon carpool at Ambleside and see a growing group of Ambleside high school students outside \u2013 talking to each other, laughing, and being goofy together. It is surprising how rare that scene is now in most high schools, where phones are both a focus and an escape from socializing. Ambleside counters the rewiring of which Haidt warns by giving these gifts to students:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An atmosphere of joyful, real, conversational learning together.<\/li>\n<li>Many healthy connections and interests \u2013 to nature, music, science, mathematics, art, literature, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Time for creative outdoor play.<\/li>\n<li>Many worthy ideas to ponder and discuss with friends, so they need not only talk on the trite level of pop culture.<\/li>\n<li>The protection of reading.\u00a0Dr. St. Cyr once commented after seeing our junior-high son reading, that reading is protectively calming, especially to young men who could choose much more destructive alternatives.<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">The power to change their brains and lives by the formation of new habits.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">The gift of community. You are not alone. Your child is not alone. You are connected to a supportive intergenerational community, for life if you so choose!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Kimberley Lorden<\/p>\n<p>Co-Founder, Ambleside School of Colorado[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_separator width_in_percentages=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_raw_html]JTVCeWFycHAlNUQ=[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Parenting is the privilege of nurturing, instructing, training, and enjoying goodness and beauty in fellowship with young humans who will become your favorite adults in the whole world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2356,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53,13],"tags":[113,151,152,70],"class_list":["post-2355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kimberley-lorden","category-spiritual-formation","tag-affections","tag-anxiety","tag-children","tag-parenting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d - Ambleside International<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Parenting is the privilege of nurturing, instructing, training, and enjoying goodness and beauty in fellowship with young humans who will become your favorite adults in the whole world.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d - Ambleside International\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Parenting is the privilege of nurturing, instructing, training, and enjoying goodness and beauty in fellowship with young humans who will become your favorite adults in the whole world.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Ambleside International\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-01-31T17:28:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-31T21:59:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mother-and-Children-at-Home-e1738341695320.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"913\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"904\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Thomas Costello\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Thomas Costello\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/\",\"name\":\"Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d - Ambleside International\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mother-and-Children-at-Home-e1738341695320.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-01-31T17:28:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-31T21:59:40+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/39bdf7494e7b4dea2960af63c036349c\"},\"description\":\"Parenting is the privilege of nurturing, instructing, training, and enjoying goodness and beauty in fellowship with young humans who will become your favorite adults in the whole world.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mother-and-Children-at-Home-e1738341695320.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mother-and-Children-at-Home-e1738341695320.jpg\",\"width\":913,\"height\":904},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/\",\"name\":\"Ambleside International\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/39bdf7494e7b4dea2960af63c036349c\",\"name\":\"Thomas Costello\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/da909ee6f1aba7e4f8450d09cab1c32c62874717b93195aca1849a05aba18773?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/da909ee6f1aba7e4f8450d09cab1c32c62874717b93195aca1849a05aba18773?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Thomas Costello\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/author\/thomas-costello\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d - Ambleside International","description":"Parenting is the privilege of nurturing, instructing, training, and enjoying goodness and beauty in fellowship with young humans who will become your favorite adults in the whole world.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d - Ambleside International","og_description":"Parenting is the privilege of nurturing, instructing, training, and enjoying goodness and beauty in fellowship with young humans who will become your favorite adults in the whole world.","og_url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/","og_site_name":"Ambleside International","article_published_time":"2025-01-31T17:28:34+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-01-31T21:59:40+00:00","og_image":[{"width":913,"height":904,"url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mother-and-Children-at-Home-e1738341695320.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Thomas Costello","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Thomas Costello","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/","url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/","name":"Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d - Ambleside International","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mother-and-Children-at-Home-e1738341695320.jpg","datePublished":"2025-01-31T17:28:34+00:00","dateModified":"2025-01-31T21:59:40+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/39bdf7494e7b4dea2960af63c036349c"},"description":"Parenting is the privilege of nurturing, instructing, training, and enjoying goodness and beauty in fellowship with young humans who will become your favorite adults in the whole world.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mother-and-Children-at-Home-e1738341695320.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mother-and-Children-at-Home-e1738341695320.jpg","width":913,"height":904},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/parenting-the-anxious-generation\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Parenting the \u201cAnxious Generation\u201d"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/","name":"Ambleside International","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/39bdf7494e7b4dea2960af63c036349c","name":"Thomas Costello","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/da909ee6f1aba7e4f8450d09cab1c32c62874717b93195aca1849a05aba18773?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/da909ee6f1aba7e4f8450d09cab1c32c62874717b93195aca1849a05aba18773?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Thomas Costello"},"url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/author\/thomas-costello\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Mother-and-Children-at-Home-e1738341695320.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2355\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}