And that is, it's never easy. There's no trusted formula to turn to in order to make things go smoothly.

All of us are different. All of us are faced with the daily challenge of working out what suits best.

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For parents, some times are more difficult than others, but there's also great stretches where you also get to enjoy the ride.

That though will never stop the worry.

Am I too strict? Am I too soft? Am I setting the right kind of boundaries, am I educating my kids enough about the dangers to prevent them falling victim to drugs or alcohol or a whole litany of bad influences?

You want the absolute best for your child, which can bring you into conflict when they feel they aren't able to be their own person.

These days parents have the additional worry of how to keep children safe from the pitfalls of the internet.

This wasn't part of the parenting guidebook just a few decades ago, but now is so central to the lives our children experience.

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The eSafety Commission, as part of worldwideInternet Safety Day, has reminded parents of the crucial role they play in protecting children and adolescents from negative online experiences.

It points out that one in four teenagers have experienced either cyber bulling, harassment or unwanted contact with a stranger in the six months to last September.

When you consider the all-pervading influence of social media, that's no surprise. But that also doesn't let parents off the hook.

Children need access to the internet for their education, something brought into sharper focus with the pandemic-induced home schooling of 2020.

There also needs to be supervision, and rules on just how much screen time they have at home.

That's no easy task.

But clearly one practical, sensible way forward is what effective parenting has always involved; and that is, talk to your kids.

Make them aware of cyber safety, but do so in an inclusive way that gives them the opportunity to contribute equally to the discussion.

It makes for a positive way forward.