Parenting: Balancing tradition and technology

Parenting has always been at the heart of every Omani home - a reflection of love, responsibility and the values that bind generations together. Nevertheless, as the world changes at lightning speed, raising children today feels like navigating new territory. The digital age, busy lifestyles and changing social structures have redefined what it means to be a parent.
In the past, child rearing relied on close-knit families and inherited wisdom. Lessons came naturally through observation - from mothers, grandmothers and the community around them. Today, however, parents find themselves seeking guidance from countless online sources, parenting blogs and social media advice - a reality both empowering and overwhelming.
Fatma al Siyabi, a mother of five, reflects on how parenting has transformed over time.
“We learned parenting by watching our mothers and grandmothers. There were no manuals or parenting blogs; we learned through example,” she says with a smile. “Now, we have access to endless information online, but that can also be confusing. Today’s mothers are more informed, but also under more pressure because of social media comparisons and conflicting advice.”
Salim al Yarubi, a father of two, says technology is at the centre of modern parenting challenges. “Children now learn from the Internet before they even go to school... They are shaped by influencers we do not know and values we cannot always control. Our role as parents has become more complicated.”
He believes that balance is key - not banning technology, but guiding children to use it wisely.
“When children understand why we set limits, they’re more likely to respect them out of awareness, not fear,” he says.
From the perspective of the younger generation, Farah al Hadi, a university student, sees a shift in the parent-child dynamic.
“Our generation doesn’t accept orders without explanation. We want to understand, not just obey,” she says. “Some parents still use old methods, but we respond better to dialogue and shared understanding.”
She believes that today’s strongest families are those built on mutual respect, trust and emotional connection - not strict authority.
According to Yasir al Shukaili, a social worker at a public school, the evolution of Omani society has reshaped family life.
“In the past, the extended family played a major role in raising children,” he explains. “Today, the families carry that responsibility alone, often under the pressures of modern living and demanding work schedules.”
He emphasises the importance of preserving Omani values while adapting to modern realities.
“The real challenge is to raise children who are globally aware yet deeply rooted in their identity,” he says.
Between yesterday and today, the tools of parenting may have changed - from bedtime stories under the stars to lessons learned from screens. Yet, the heart of parenting remains the same, to nurture confident, kind and grounded individuals.
Parenting in the modern age is no longer just a family duty. It is a shared journey between home, school and community. A journey that requires patience, balance and understanding to raise children who can thrive in a fast-changing world while holding on to the timeless values that define us.