5 Times My Kids Made Me Cooler in the Battle of Millennials vs Boomers

 

Millennials vs Boomers. That’s a classic generation gap. We do things differently and have different strengths and weaknesses. It is not better, it is different.

Baby boomers have been known as the largest generation; however, in 2016, that changed. Millennials are now the largest generation.

Much has been said about the “feud” between millennials and baby boomers, but I maintain that you must merge the old and the new to have the best outcome. Boomers were different from our parents just as millennials are different from us. This post pretty accurately sums up some of our generational differences.

The millennials vs boomers debate persists because each side fails to acknowledge the thought processes and end goals of the other generation.

Baby boomers raised our kids the best we knew how even when we are unaware of the results of our words. I remain a strong believer that early parenting is all about hands-on leadership and guidance. I have confessed to being both a Momma Addict and a Lawnmower Parent, but my kids have turned out just fine!

The time will come for parents to have friendship and equality with their kids; however, that time is not when the kids are young. When our kids become older, the kids often become the teacher!

Millennials are all about efficiency; consequently, technology has allowed them to do things in a short amount of time. This drive to complete tasks early leaves them with a lot of extra time to be bored; thus, a continued need to fill their time with even more technology.

Boomers learned to do things the hard way. Think: Dewey decimal system, heavy encyclopedias/dictionaries, pay phones on side of the road and …gasp …writing in cursive! Although technology has improved our lives, we are not on a constant hunt for the shortest route to completion; therefore, boomers often don’t see this excess free time and are not nearly as bored!

Over the years, technology has changed the world. I believe this to be a major factor in the millennials vs boomers feud. Many boomers did not change with the times. In fact, my kids had to drag me forward because I had no interest in changing. But now, I have incorporated things that I consider millennial, and  I must say…they make me just a tad bit cooler!

I have no problem stating that my kids are much cooler than me.  And I encouraged them to own it. I think they did.

Please keep in mind that some of these changes that my daughters helped me to make actually occurred years ago! But it seems that every year, I need another upgrade. Each change was initiated by my daughters who insisted change was needed. I am glad I became a good student and that they became excellent teachers.

Millennials vs Boomers: 5 times my millennial daughters helped me to become cooler

1. Texting

This is parenthood 101. When my girls were in high school, I was forced to text because they refused to answer my phone calls. “Everyone knows if you are talking on the phone, it’s your mother”. Really?

I slowly adopted texting but was hampered by the phones where I had to press 3 times to select a letter.  I was content with my texting skill but it drove my kids crazy.  Although I did not see the need to get a cool phone, I am glad they pressured me and then I became an iPhone addict!

I currently still enjoy typing with my index finger while holding my phone in the palm of my other hand. My girls are not amused and continue to work on my double thumb typing.

2. WhatsApp

Gone are the days of buying international phone plans and outrageous fees for long distance. I shudder remembering the money spent trying to keep in touch with my young daughters as they began to spread their wings with international travel.  They were fearless and adventured everywhere.

When my kids introduced the family to WhatsApp, hubby and I were overjoyed. Like we had just discovered air! I don’t have many apps on my phone, but this one is used daily.

Because our girls travel constantly, we love this free way to stay in touch. Such a great way to experience their journeys with them.

I really don’t know if there are other uses for WhatsApp, but I do know I can text and talk to my daughters anywhere they are. I look really cool when I casually mention to my friends that my daughters just finished taking a Cheetah for a walk in Africa.

3. Netflix

What’s wrong with cable? I asked my girls this question for years each time they asked why we didn’t have Netflix. Of course, I heard the whole world talking about shows on Netflix. So?

They were finally able to articulate some advantages of Netflix, so we got a family plan. Best. Parents. Ever.

Plus we do enjoy binge-watching TV series. Before two years ago, we never had the pleasure of powering through 5 seasons of a show. Saw no need. Not sure there is a need now but it sounds cool when I say I did.

4. Pandora

Because I never became an iPod music person and continued to enjoy listening to the radio and CDs, I did not understand the fascination with music streaming.  How much music do you need?

Well, after putting up a fight for years, I became friends with Pandora. Yup, I am hooked. I even stopped sitting around with headphones on and bought an awesome Bluetooth speaker system.  I am beside myself with happiness.

My daughter is now quick to tell me that most people use Spotify. Nope. I don’t even want to know the difference. I’m going to just sit right here for now. I reserve the right to change my mind later though!

5. AUX cable in my car

This is actually the concept that sparked me to create this post.  I have a nice car and thought I was cool because I can load CDs and store them on my car’s hard drive.

My youngest has become obsessed with podcasts and recently announced that she wanted to listen to them in the car going to work. She has an old car. The perfect car you buy for a new teen driver. There are no bells and whistles. I love it.

She asked me to get her a cable that connects her car’s cigarette lighter to her phone so she can play podcasts through her car speakers.  That sounded cool so I quickly said: I want to do that!

She just looked at me.

Like the classic way that millennials look at boomers. Then slowly, she said: But you have an AUX adapter in your car.

I have WHAT?

Eventually, she showed me that my car had a USB port (who knew?) AND an adapter for me to plug-in external devices, like my phone. Wow. I was cool and didn’t even know!

I promptly visited my BFF Amazon Prime and immediately (well, 48 hours later) plugged in my cable.

Please picture me: Phone plugged into AUX cable, Pandora streaming through my car speakers, my convertible top down, sunglasses on, head bobbing.

Yup, I feel cool! I am almost millennial cool. (Don’t tell my daughters; they will not agree)

I fully understand there are countless cool boomers who naturally changed with the times and did not need to be schooled by a millennial.

However, I submit to you that there are countless other boomers who still need help. Whether they have an empty nest or their millennial is still around the house, boomers could use some updating!

Keep in mind that boomers do not need to adopt all the things the millennials teach them. In fact, I have rejected several other attempts of my daughters trying to make me cooler!

So, millennials, consider teaching your boomer relatives a few cool millennial moves. It can only help to make our generations closer and reduce the millennials vs boomers rift.

In this day and age when politics can divide continents as well as countries, we can use as much love, support, and understanding as possible. Plus, it feels good to be a little cooler.

As always, much love for supporting my work. I will be adding many more posts to highlight parenting and healthcare tips, so be sure to consider subscribing to my podcast or to my blog to avoid missing a post!