Parent- Amorin

In 2035, as the new educational system takes hold, I find myself grappling with frustration and uncertainty. It wasn't long ago that I relied on iPads and gadgets to calm my little ones, but now, with stringent regulations in place, I'm forced to seek alternative methods to soothe my rambunctious kids. It's a daunting task, to say the least, but amidst the initial resistance, I begin to see a silver lining. This shift in approach prompts me to prioritize teaching essential life skills like accountability and manners, realizing that parenthood is about more than just having children - it's about guiding them towards becoming responsible and empathetic individuals. In this same manner I find myself agreeing more with my kids' teachers and as they do their part at school, educating my little ones, I need to do my part at home, parenting them.

As a parent the years between 2035-2040 were very rough. When I was growing up and in schools, we had a fair amount of access to technology but AI was not released until I had already graduated university. We used our devices and we all had social media but we were not as addicted to technology as the generations which came after us. When I was growing up, we played outside and only when we were teenagers and young adults were glued to our phones and technology. It was very age appropriate. But in the generations which followed us, including the generations of my own children I think we all introduced technology too early into our kids' lives. But if every parent is giving their kids all of this technology, what am I to do? I didn’t want my kids to fall behind so I gave them technology like everyone else, but I see now how negatively technology has impacted my kids and the rest of this generation. In that moment, I did not want to admit that technology was negatively impacting my kids as I was busy with my own career and trying to make ends meet. However, this ruined my kids in the long run as they became apathetic and entitled. When the technology prohibition went into effect in 2035, taking all of the technology my kids were so used to relying on for everything was hard. They were very moody, upset and did not understand why we had to hand over all of our technology. Trying to connect with them and have conversations about school was especially challenging.

Before the educational reforms of 2035, I admit I was guilty of overbearing interference in my children's academic lives. Teachers seemed to bend over backward to accommodate both parents and students, and I often found myself pushing for special treatment to ensure my child's success. But looking back, I see now that my well-intentioned interventions may have done more harm than good, hindering my children's development rather than helping it. Their specialized treatment at school became expected at home and my kids became bratty and entitled, expecting me to entertain them and cater to them as their teachers did in school.

When the strict education reforms first went into effect, in 2035, we all struggled. I mean, we had been so reliant on technology to do most tasks for us for so long. As parents we worried about how our children would adjust in school and worse what would happen if they were sent to a “traditional school” as a punishment. They had been typing everything since basically the first grade, my kids know how to write but most kids don’t write at all. So how would they fare in the setting of a “traditional school”? There were so many uncertainties with the drastic reforms, we basically had to make the changes overnight.

The first six months of the educational reforms were the hardest on both parents and kids. It was definitely an adjustment to not have any technology around to break the silence. Prior to the reforms we were all glued to our phones even when we were home. But when the prohibition on technology went into effect we actually had to almost learn to communicate again as before this my kids would barely speak a full sentence to me each day. Since the ban, we slowly graduated from small talk and manners to full blown discussions. The ban really has done wonder for how close we are as a family and I personally believe that my kids have improved their manners toward others drastically.

My kids did struggle with meeting school expectations though. Due to the educational reform, all of the teachers are using this ‘flipped classroom’ model where they both teach the lesson and give the kids time in class to do work, all in the same day. It was very confusing and a lot for the kids at first. I think we were all really frustrated. One day, my son was caught using AI to help him finish his assignment quicker in class. We begged his teacher to let him off with a warning but she wasn’t having it. She gave him his papers and sent him to the “traditional school” for a whole semester. The first couple of weeks at the “traditional school” was very hard on him, he struggled a lot without technology. But after this, I saw a shift in him like no other, it was like he was a different kid. He was excited to learn and empowered to finish his work at school without needing or wanting technology to bail him out like in the past.

Now, in 2040, I see the positive impacts of the new educational reform firsthand with both of my kids. My children, thankfully, are no longer accustomed to having their every whim catered to, and they now demonstrate a remarkable resilience and self-sufficiency. It's a relief to see them accomplish tasks and overcome challenges on their own, without my constant meddling or the crutch of AI. Though it was difficult to relinquish control at first, I've come to realize the importance of letting teachers do what they do best: teach. And as I focus on my role as a parent and guide at home, I see my children thriving in ways I never imagined. I am so thankful that the education system experienced such a drastic turn, I truly believe it was so beneficial for the kids of this generation.

This transformative journey has brought my family closer together, fostering a renewed sense of purpose and connection. Without the distractions of technology, we rediscover the simple joys of spending quality time together - cooking meals, exploring the outdoors, and simply enjoying each other's company. And as I watch my children grow into confident and resilient individuals, I take pride in knowing that I've played a part in shaping a brighter future for them and generations to com