Updated: November 19, 2020
Originally Published: March 22, 2015
I’ve often shared the strange sensation of approaching 40 while still feeling like I’m in my early twenties—maybe even 18. Yet, every now and then, life reminds me that those days are behind me, especially when I observe how my kids, Leo and Mia, are growing up in a world vastly different from my own. Nostalgic lists about the childhood of the ’70s always give me a good chuckle, but Leo and Mia are firmly entrenched in the 21st century. Here are some examples:
- Their preference for phone conversations is fascinating—they love chatting on speakerphone. This naturally leads to their comfort with FaceTiming. Recently, I had a conversation with someone in their 60s who still believed in holding a phone to their ear during a FaceTime call. I find myself somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. We’ve certainly evolved from the kitchen wall phone with its long, curly cord.
- Charging devices? They only start worrying about that when the battery hits zero. Meanwhile, I’m already in a panic mode when my phone dips to 70 percent.
- Their obsession with YouTube is unparalleled. It’s their go-to platform for music and videos alike.
- Scented products are a major hit with them. While Grace envelops herself in clouds of Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift, I prefer the unscented route. Less glamorous, but also less overwhelming!
- Carseats are so embedded in American life that cars now come equipped with built-in tethers for them. In my day, I loved the freedom of bouncing around in the “way back” of the station wagon—completely unrestrained!
- TV shows? They’ve never experienced the agony of waiting for their favorite show to air at a specific time. When they want to watch something, it’s just a matter of clicking a button. And as for VCRs? That’s a totally foreign concept to them!
- The term “mimeograph” would completely baffle them. I can still smell those purple-blue pages from my school days. While Leo and Mia check their assignments on Google Drive, I reminisce about flipping through mimeographed sheets in my TrapperKeeper.
- Their ability to suspend disbelief is quite limited. Recently, during our viewing of The Princess Bride, Mia scoffed at the “Rodents of Unusual Size.” I blame the hyper-realistic special effects of today’s films!
- When discussing photography, I mentioned a disposable underwater camera, and Leo was shocked to learn that it only had 27 exposures. The idea of paying per photograph and waiting for film to develop was alien to them—”film” itself is a foreign word!
- They don’t know any phone numbers, and honestly, neither do I. I can still recall the numbers from my childhood home, but for Leo and Mia, everything is stored in their devices.
- Map reading? That’s a lost art. My dad always stressed how crucial it was to navigate with a map. Although I sometimes joke about being one of the last people to print out directions, Leo and Mia just expect the GPS to do the work for them.
If you’re a parent from the ’70s raising children in this digital age, you might find these experiences relatable. For more about parenting techniques and insights, check out our blog post on how to use an at-home insemination kit here. Also, if you’re looking for expert advice, the Women’s Health site is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination, as well as ideas on how to nurture your little ones.
In summary, the generational gap between parents from past decades and their 21st-century children is vast and often amusing. From technology to daily habits, the differences highlight how much the world has evolved.
Keyphrase: Children of the 21st Century
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