Now, as we categorize generations, this Xennial became the proud parent of three members of the Prime Generation.
My children have never experienced a world lacking instant access to their desires. Coinciding with the Obama Administration’s reign and the arrival of No. 45, the Prime Generation got their baby essentials through none other than—wait for it—Amazon Prime, with its delightful two-day shipping. Whether it’s a NoseFrida, a Snappi, or a Moby Wrap—all items that were nearly impossible to find before 2009—Amazon Prime has you covered.
Need a fidget spinner or a last-minute birthday gift? Amazon Prime has it all, with two-day shipping to boot. We receive packages from Amazon at least every other day—my kids eagerly await the mailman’s arrival.
But it’s not just Amazon feeding their cravings. My kids grew up on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It all started as a way for me to manage their screen time—no longer constrained by whatever was airing on cable at that moment. I was that picky mom who scrutinized every cartoon. They began with Yo Gabba Gabba! and explored countless dinosaur documentaries, all readily accessible. Xennials had to wait for the Discovery Channel to air something educational, but my kids can flip through options at will. They’ve spent countless hours watching favorites like David Attenborough’s Planet Earth.
Eventually, I relented on the cartoons. They dove into new shows like Amazon’s Puffin Rock, as well as classic picks like Rocko’s Modern Life and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters. They’ve enjoyed Dinotrux and Justice League, but this generation lacks the cohesive media experience that previous ones had—they can cherry-pick what they want to see. Their media consumption is also influenced by what their parents are willing to purchase; we might buy one season of Paw Patrol, but that’s it, kiddos.
As a result, my children have no idea what commercials are. When we happen to watch traditional TV and ads come on, they stare in confusion. “What’s this?” they ask. “When’s the show going to start again?” On the plus side, they’re not clamoring for the latest toy trends. However, they miss out on the quirky local commercials that defined our childhoods. We knew the jingle of every local car dealership and ice cream shop. Now, their knowledge is limited to the big-name chains, like Target.
Music follows a similar trend. We subscribe to Spotify, granting us access to virtually every song imaginable. If something isn’t available, we can likely find it on YouTube. One day, we’re belting out Hamilton in the car; the next, the kids insist on a hilarious mashup like “Princess Leia’s Stolen Death Star Plans.” Their requests are always met with enthusiasm.
When my three-year-old is upset, we play “Yellow Submarine”—his favorite song—to calm him down. I can’t help but wonder what it would have been like for my generation if our parents had Bluetooth technology to seamlessly play our preferred tunes without any interruptions or static. It would have been revolutionary!
That said, the Prime Generation’s lifestyle is not universal. Access to Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Spotify isn’t affordable for everyone. The Pew Research Center reports that 13% of Americans don’t use the internet, largely due to cost. Even among those who do have smartphones, one-third of the population still has limited access to online resources, primarily due to financial constraints.
Clearly, my kids are fortunate. But they aren’t alone; in fact, they represent a significant portion of their generation. For the most part, the Prime Generation enjoys instant gratification. This reality underscores the need for us to encourage our kids to slow down. They should experience small-town parades, wander through nature, and enjoy afternoons swimming—all while unplugged. Their lives are dominated by media and technology, dictated by the shows they choose, the music they love, and the games they play. This is all fine and good, and we should embrace technology for its benefits, as it’s an integral part of our lives today.
However, and this is crucial: they also need to experience boredom, get their hands dirty, and engage in creative activities. They require downtime, and we must ask ourselves if we will provide that for them—and if it will be sufficient.
If you’re seeking more insights on this journey of parenting, consider exploring our other articles, including tips on boosting fertility supplements or learning about the at-home insemination kit, both of which can be found on our site.
In summary, Generation Prime is a product of instant access and convenience, but we must balance that with the need for real-world experiences and creativity. How will we navigate this challenge for our children?
Keyphrase: Generation Prime
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