10 Reasons Why Now Is the Best Time to Raise a Kid, According to Experts

When my 70-year-old neighbor started spending more time with my family of five, he often commented about how things were different when he was growing up. His mother, he’d say, would have never let him do things like leave food on his plate or openly express his emotions.

At times, he left me questioning my gentler, more flexible approach to parenting compared to his no-nonsense, 1950s upbringing.

But one afternoon, on a walk together, my toddler gleefully stomped through a puddle in brand-new shoes, and my neighbor smiled at him with admiration. “My mom would’ve never let me do that,” he said with a sigh. “Your kids are lucky. They get to explore and express themselves. I like the way you parent.”

That moment stayed with me. Because for all the criticism parents hear today, there’s also a growing body of research suggesting something more hopeful. In many ways, kids today are developing skills that point to a more emotionally aware, open-minded, and resilient generation than those before them—to their parents’ credit—and those aren’t the only good things about raising kids today.

Emotions are discussed more openly today—at school, at home, and in the media—than in past generations, and that’s benefiting kids.

“It’s not uncommon now to hear a child say they feel 'overwhelmed,’ ‘left out,’ or ‘frustrated’ rather than acting those feelings out without words,” says Martina Nova, a registered clinical counselor, trauma-informed therapist, and author.

As of 2023, 8 out of 10 schools report implementing a social-emotional learning program (SEL). When parents and educators label emotions and respond in attuned ways, children tend to develop stronger emotional awareness and regulation, Nova says.

In schools, SEL programs are linked to better mental health, stronger academic outcomes, as and a decrease in bullying incidents and violent adolescent crimes. One long-term study even found that kids today are the most empathetic of any generation in the past 39 years.

Another study out of Sweden found that when parents are warm, empathetic caregivers, their kids tend to model the same behavior with their friends.

Researchers say IQ scores increase by about 3 points per decade.

IQ tests evaluate skills like critical thinking, memory, and processing speed—skills that often improve with better nutrition, sleep, education, and positive social interactions, says Stephanie Malia Krauss, an expert in youth development and the author of How We Thrive: Caring for Kids and Ourselves in a Changing World.

Experts like Krauss caution parents not to take IQ tests too seriously because they don’t paint a full picture of a person or capture forms of intelligence like creativity, emotional intelligence, or common sense. Still, the increase in IQs points to a positive trend that kids may be building stronger critical thinking and problem-solving skills at a younger age.

Many parents today are intentional about raising kids who understand diversity and inclusion. Experts say repeated exposure to different cultures, abilities, and perspectives helps children normalize differences and build more inclusive worldviews. Children taught about the roots of inequality are more likely to recognize it as unfair and show less bias toward others.

In schools, there’s also a push to have children with disabilities learn in general education classrooms. “This increased exposure means that children are more likely to view differences as part of everyday life, rather than something unfamiliar,” says Sasha Hall, a senior educational and child psychologist.

Teachers are witnessing this first-hand. One special education teacher and K-12 Education Specialist, Hezekiah Herrera, Ed.D., of San Diego, California, recently observed a 7-year-old student slow his speech to accommodate a classmate using a speech-generating device, waiting patiently for her to respond.

When it comes to recycling more and other eco-conscious habits, children may have more influence on their parents than we realize.

In one study of more than 1,500 families, parents who participated in an environmental education program alongside their kids were more likely to feel an urgency about climate change and make lifestyle changes, such as recycling, than those who completed the program without their children.

Today’s kids are often less afraid to ask for help, thanks in part to school curricula that teach “growth mindset,” reinforcing the idea that asking for help isn’t weak.

As a teacher, Herrera said he’s seeing more students, both verbal and non-verbal, openly share their needs and ask for assistance. “Many students today are more likely to question, to ask why a rule exists, or to request a different approach when presented with solutions that fail to meet their needs,” he says—proof, he adds, that they’re developing stronger agency.

If a child shows signs of developmental delays, getting support early can make a meaningful difference. Experts say early support can improve a child’s development, communication, and independence over time.

The good news: more children are being identified and connected to services during these early years. Data shows steady growth in early intervention programs, thanks in part to increased screening, awareness, and support.

That same shift is happening around mental health. In a national survey from Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, 98% of millennial parents said they talk about mental health with their kids. Another survey from the National PTA found that 75% of parents support school-based screenings and mental health services. Together, parents and schools are recognizing needs earlier and responding more proactively.

Today’s parents are said to spend more time with their children than in the past 50 years. One study found that this has a direct, positive impact on a child’s well-being.

How they are parenting is changing, too. Nearly nine in 10 millennial parents say they are parenting differently than their parents, and three out of four believe they are better parents than their own, according to the same national survey from Lurie Children’s.

As connection-focused parenting gains popularity, “Parents are more likely to be curious about what’s going on underneath a behavior rather than just focusing on correcting it,” says Nova. In her practice, she also sees more parents willing to repair after a conflict, too, which she says builds trust and secure attachment.

Reaching 100 years old was once considered extraordinary, but that may be changing. Thanks to advances in medicine, sanitation, education, and declines in infant mortality and environmental toxins, life expectancy keeps increasing. Experts suggest that Gen Alpha and Gen Beta may be more likely to reach their 100s than previous generations.

Gen Alpha is the first generation born entirely in the 21st century. While screens often get a bad reputation, research suggests that when used intentionally, digital spaces can offer real benefits, including social connection and peer support.

“I see kids using digital spaces to find communities where they feel understood, especially if they’re neurodivergent or don’t feel like they fit in locally,” says Nova.

Krauss says that in her work with older Gen Alpha kids, she’s been struck by their nuanced approach to technology. “They describe AI as both helpful and dangerous. They ask hard questions. They want boundaries,” she says. “We often assume young people love tech because they’re always on it, but the truth is more complicated.”

Past generations were often told to push through discomfort and “toughen up.” Today, some parents worry that taking a gentler, more connected approach might lead to raising less resilient kids, but research suggests the opposite.

When children develop strong social and emotional skills, they’re more likely to build resilience and choose healthy coping skills. They learn how to work through difficult emotions and come out stronger for it, shares Hall.

For Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, this may better prepare them to navigate life’s challenges.