I, me, myself here stand for all the amazing Gen X moms. This is their saga – steeped in irony, and showing an occasional sense of dread – just like them.
Somehow, calling myself a Gen X Mom seems totally inappropriate. On most days, I don’t represent either of those labels well. Let alone being the torch bearer for both at the same time! Let me explain…
It is widely believed that Gen Xers went from being total slackers in the 90s to being active, happy, and achieving a work–life balance as middle agers. Apparently, I didn’t get the memo. I continue to take pride in slacking, and then complaining about no work-life balance. Maybe becoming a mom caused that?
They also say that Gen X is the most ignored generation. What? And who came up with that? Some days I crave to be ignored by my kids, husband, parents, in-laws and fellow (underappreciated and hence grumpy) Gen Xer friends.
Ever read all those articles about how women of a certain age and generation, and especially those that balance family and work can’t have it all? There is not bigger myth out there I tell you! Just look at me…I absolutely have it all…just 1 thing at a time though. Why get greedy?
As a mom, I am the absolute worst! Who makes their kids take more responsibility because mom is busy at work? Which mom lets her kids fail (sometimes) so they can learn to deal with it and rise again? Ever heard of Instapot moms who manage kids’ activities via Whatsapp, monitor their whereabouts through push notifications, and serve as a backup knowledge bank to Google and Wikipedia? Oh, I ace all those atrocities. Blame it all on being a Gen Xer…right?
There is a small glimmer of hope though. We are just starting to become the oh-so-loved darlings of marketers! I mean c’mon – what better way to get Gen Z customers, than to influence their Gen X moms? We got so fed up of the helicopter parenting from previous generation, that we decided to go with a free-range parenting style. At the same time, we are know-it-alls trying to make sure our kids get the best of everything. Now that’s just perfect for all those brands out there trying to get a piece of Gen Z money. Gold mine!
In reality, there is actually a lot more hope! We are arguably the best educated generation, and we are raising kids who are smart, ambitious, mature, and driven – things that seem to have eluded us. And what greater honor than Vanity Fair…. oh yes, THE Vanity Fair declaring ‘Generation X Might Be Our Last, Best Hope’!
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