Generation Z is the children born from the mid-1990’s to 2005. They are the first generation that grew up with technology. They are not an easy generation. They want everything on a silver platter. As soon as they encounter an obstacle at work, they resign. It’s as if they simply do not have enough drive to execute and finish a project. Employers struggle with this generation.

The question is why they are like that, and, unfortunately, the answer cuts close to the bone. The parents are to blame. This may be a gross generalisation, but it does contain a lot of truth. The parents did everything for their children. They never learned to do anything for themselves. They had it too easy. And that’s why when (according to them) something takes a little too much energy, they throw their toys out of the cot.

The parents wanted to make life pleasant for their children, but in the process, they brought up spoilt brats who only think of themselves with no concern for the people around them.

Our children are who we are. Our children are the example we gave them. Today, our children are to a significant extent how we exposed them to life.

Yes, they follow their own minds – we know that all too well! They make their own decisions – and like us, many are wrong. But it is much easier for them to make the right decisions if the basis is right.

⁶Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble?”

It’s not easy to bring up our children the right way. How can we know how to bring up children who are on their phones the whole day when we haven’t grown up with even a single piece of technology?

Early one Friday evening a friend’s grade 11 son came to ask if he and his wife wanted coffee. This is when my friend should’ve suspected something was off.

His son had put a sleeping pill in the coffee.

His son had always been an entrepreneur. He had arranged a party and invited the whole town. Obviously, everyone had to pay an entrance fee.

He woke up at 11 that night to a deafening boom-boom. He jumped up, locked the doors and gates, and called the police. Immediately afterwards he started phoning the parents, apologised, and asked them to come fetch their children.

Today that son is a respectable young man who knows where he is going.

Yes, sometimes our children push hard against the boundaries and sometimes they cross those boundaries. But with a lot of grace they return to their roots. Let’s make sure those roots are in Christ. Let’s try our best to help our children serve the Father with us.

It’s not easy, but I suspect God will help us every time.

Scripture
Titus 1:5-9

Reflection
Where are you going?
Where are your children going?
How can you make Christ’s roots part of their lives?

Prayer
Lord, it’s not easy to bring up children. Sometimes it feels as if such a lot is out of our control. Please help me to be strong and to teach and discipline my children like You want me to, for their benefit. Amen.