When we wish for the good ol' days we also have to admit the kids didn't have access to the SAT problem of the day online, unlimited resources for papers including access to libraries across the country, the benefit of homework help on literally thousands of sites, and the benefit of being able to make and maintain those early friendships at a very safe distance (chatting online as opposed to that dreaded first phone call).

I'm not saying today is better; it's simply different. And while my kids do come to me (both the 7 year old and the 17 year old), I don't want to wish them back to 1986 (the shoulder pads and the hairstyles alone should be banished). One of the great uses of technology is as my son starts to be responsible to send emails to the financial aid office, to college coaches, etc., I'll get a ping on my instant message program, and he wants me to proofread it or offer constructive criticism. I read it, make my suggestions, and he sends it off--all at the safe distance of 20 feet away, and he never has to hear a negative word (and it's up to him if he takes the suggestions or not).

College pressure is probably greater today, thanks to the baby boom echo, but honestly, websites like Cappex and Zinch give regular kids a chance to be recruited by colleges for things other than sports or perfect grades.

When it comes to venting, I tend to turn to the group of parents here on Great Schools, and if it's a specific issue, I often talk to the parents of the kids I coach in bowling, since we're a pretty close-knit group. Because of the spread in age between my kids, often people look to me for advice, but I just remind them that this is our "normal."

Oh and for the record, our entire family has opted out of the cell phone thing. Don't need them, don't want them, never want to "have to take this call..." and walk away from someone we're with. But the computers, aside from allowing us both to work from home, have certainly made our lives easier, not more challenging.

Thanks for the interesting topic!