oving hand, holding them, re-assuring them and protecting them. They are growing up too fast, mature too soon and miss out on the simplicity, joy and innocence of childhood years. They spend too much time in the electronic playground.

Family relationships have its own complications and intricacies. Some children go their own way leaving their parents behind and at times, neglected and forgotten. Or the other way- parents give up on their offspring.

Siblings go in different directions, separated by distance or financial

This is the 21st century. There are so many more factors and issues that add stress to relationships. There are more demands on time, higher expectations, more toys and gadgets, high-stress careers or profession. Each member of a family needs more space, more independence and more freedom

Patience, perseverance, tolerance, convenience and self-sacrifice kept relationships together in the past centuries. There was a strong sense of family and community. Domestic squabbles were kept private. Families work on their issues and try to resolve these as best as they can. Going separate ways was not an answer even if it was the only answer. Life was simpler. There was more time to spend with family and friends.

Today, people are more aware and protective of their space, independence and privacy. People want more. Technology is very much part of life today. There are pros and cons. This is supposed to provide more convenience to our daily lives. Little did we know that a technology driven society develops an addiction to the toys and gizmos that consume a lot of time. Most everyone today need to be wired, including the younger ones. It’s part of the wardrobe.

High maintenance lifestyle is mainly geared to the material and physical side. This contributes to the fragility of relationships. Add to this the perennial shortage of time, there are never not enough hours in the day. With so much materialism in our society, financial and economic issues become a burden some face with blinders on till a crisis topples their tower.

Raising children today seems to get more and more complicated. There is so much to want, to do, to have even when resources are limited. These young ones are more demanding. With the advent of technology, so much information is available at a very young age. This younger generation of technologically smart children have a good grasp on how to use this technology. They are indeed better informed than the previous generation at the same age.

Downside to this is that young children develop a strong sense of independence when they should be enjoying the warmth and comfort of a loving hand, holding them, re-assuring them and protecting them. They are growing up too fast, mature too soon and miss out on the simplicity, joy and innocence of childhood years. They spend too much time in the electronic playground.

Family relationships have its own complications and intricacies. Some children go their own way leaving their parents behind and at times, neglected and forgotten. Or the other way- parents give up on their offspring.

Siblings go in different directions, separated by distance or financial a

y to resolve these as best as they can. Going separate ways was not an answer even if it was the only answer. Life was simpler. There was more time to spend with family and friends.

Today, people are more aware and protective of their space, independence and privacy. People want more. Technology is very much part of life today. There are pros and cons. This is supposed to provide more convenience to our daily lives. Little did we know that a technology driven society develops an addiction to the toys and gizmos that consume a lot of time. Most everyone today need to be wired, including the younger ones. It’s part of the wardrobe.

High maintenance lifestyle is mainly geared to the material and physical side. This contributes to the fragility of relationships. Add to this the perennial shortage of time, there are never not enough hours in the day. With so much materialism in our society, financial and economic issues become a burden some face with blinders on till a crisis topples their tower.

Raising children today seems to get more and more complicated. There is so much to want, to do, to have even when resources are limited. These young ones are more demanding. With the advent of technology, so much information is available at a very young age. This younger generation of technologically smart children have a good grasp on how to use this technology. They are indeed better informed than the previous generation at the same age.

Downside to this is that young children develop a strong sense of independence when they should be enjoying the warmth and comfort of a loving hand, holding them, re-assuring them and protecting them. They are growing up too fast, mature too soon and miss out on the simplicity, joy and innocence of childhood years. They spend too much time in the electronic playground.

Family relationships have its own complications and intricacies. Some children go their own way leaving their parents behind and at times, neglected and forgotten. Or the other way- parents give up on their offspring.

Siblings go in different directions, separated by distance or financial

lot of time. Most everyone today need to be wired, including the younger ones. It’s part of the wardrobe.

High maintenance lifestyle is mainly geared to the material and physical side. This contributes to the fragility of relationships. Add to this the perennial shortage of time, there are never not enough hours in the day. With so much materialism in our society, financial and economic issues become a burden some face with blinders on till a crisis topples their tower.

Raising children today seems to get more and more complicated. There is so much to want, to do, to have even when resources are limited. These young ones are more demanding. With the advent of technology, so much information is available at a very young age. This younger generation of technologically smart children have a good grasp on how to use this technology. They are indeed better informed than the previous generation at the same age.

Downside to this is that young children develop a strong sense of independence when they should be enjoying the warmth and comfort of a loving hand, holding them, re-assuring them and protecting them. They are growing up too fast, mature too soon and miss out on the simplicity, joy and innocence of childhood years. They spend too much time in the electronic playground.

Family relationships have its own complications and intricacies. Some children go their own way leaving their parents behind and at times, neglected and forgotten. Or the other way- parents give up on their offspring.

Siblings go in different directions, separated by distance or financial

complicated. There is so much to want, to do, to have even when resources are limited. These young ones are more demanding. With the advent of technology, so much information is available at a very young age. This younger generation of technologically smart children have a good grasp on how to use this technology. They are indeed better informed than the previous generation at the same age.

Downside to this is that young children develop a strong sense of independence when they should be enjoying the warmth and comfort of a loving hand, holding them, re-assuring them and protecting them. They are growing up too fast, mature too soon and miss out on the simplicity, joy and innocence of childhood years. They spend too much time in the electronic playground.

Family relationships have its own complications and intricacies. Some children go their own way leaving their parents behind and at times, neglected and forgotten. Or the other way- parents give up on their offspring.

Siblings go in different directions, separated by distance or financial

oving hand, holding them, re-assuring them and protecting them. They are growing up too fast, mature too soon and miss out on the simplicity, joy and innocence of childhood years. They spend too much time in the electronic playground.

Family relationships have its own complications and intricacies. Some children go their own way leaving their parents behind and at times, neglected and forgotten. Or the other way- parents give up on their offspring.

Siblings go in different directions, separated by distance or financial and social status, or even by beliefs. They become strangers to one another. This is sad. There is a common bond between siblings that is their birth- right which can not or should not be broken.

Families forget that it is not that difficult to stay connected if we only take a few minutes to take the time to drop a line or to call. Time is a welcome gift especially during special days- just a few precious minutes can fill the void. If shared more often, this strengthens the relationship and family members will no longer be strangers to one another.

Family is supposed to provide a solid base for society. But, the reality is that it is less complicated to cement ties with friends than with one’s own blood relatives.