How to Deal with Millennials?

During my teen years and that was the Generation X, my two sisters and I just like other Gen X had some generation issues with our parents.  Not that our parents does not understand our teen hood.  I think it was a matter of interest-gap.  Sometimes our parents had this misgiving that what interest them might interest us also her children.  What they like to do, they think their children also like to do.  Or it could be the other way around.  We their children also have the tendencies to think that by liking something we thought our parents might also like.

And this is also what happening in this era – the millennium age.

But this time, the once misunderstood Generation X is now the main culprit, or so they say!

This is the time, when Gen X will say, “Now I know and understand my parents so well”.  “If only I knew, I should have understood them better”.

But what is the best way to cope up from all this reservations but to find ways of bridging the gap.

Knowing your Children

For parents to better understand their children it is important that they know their children as well.  Not because we are their parents means that we fully know our children.  Remember that we are living in a life were family and career are fighting for that sacred time of ours.  That almost 12 hours of our day is spent outside our homes.  Most of the times when we reach home from work our children sad to say are already half past asleep. So with some guilt-feeling it is easy to assume that there some part of them which we don’t know or have missed.  Sometimes, what we see in our children inside the four corners of our home is what not they are outside.  It is quite alarming, but true! Once children, go outside of their comfort zone they tried to be on their own and build their own personality.

Spending Quality Time

It is very important that for how much we are busy with our tight schedules and careers we should always find time to allocate precious moments with our children.  It may be impossible for us to spent eating with our children three times a day but we should at least provide one dinner time with them a day.  I still believe in the old saying that The Family that Eats Together Stay Forever.  It is almost synonymous to The Family that Prays Together Stay Forever.

Understanding Children’s Behavior

Again, let us face it.  Gen X is different from millennial in terms of how they handle their emotional control power.  Due to continuous changes in technology and different gadgets invented Millennial are more incline to get easily restless on particular things they do.  So what they want today doesn’t means they want it tomorrow or the next day to come.

It is also important to note that gone are the days when children give their 100% obedience to their parents.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  This does not imply that we should accept the idea that children should no longer required to give their respect and obedience to their parents.  What we should understand is that Millennial value its own understanding of things.  So, if they think that we, as their parents are giving commands or an instruction that does not what they see as aptly as theirs, more likely is that they will not follow and this will lead to misunderstanding between Gen X and Millennial.  So, it is safe to say that Gen X (parent) and Millennial (children) should practice mutual respect with each other.

Learn to dance with the Music

We, Gen X had experience it in our times when we felt misunderstood.  It is when our parents doesn’t seem to realize that we have our own life to live.  That teens are we at that time, we are capable of deciding, choosing and enjoying things that are valuable to us and makes us happy.  Now, are going to allow our children to feel the same way as we are during that Gen X times? 

Then learn to dance with the music.

Hang out with your Millennial.

Try listening to their music. This will create an atmosphere of “Hey, I’m listening to your kind of music isn’t it cool”?

No matter how hard for you to understand their lingo, the “mema” thing and all.  Have all the patience to play creatively with their language for as long as it does not fall within the boundaries of good public speaking.

Be interested enough to find out why your millennial kid is so fascinated with their fave boy/girl band. This will give an idea for this millennial kid that their choice is worth the attention. 

It is only when we show full appreciation that we will be able to create a harmonious relationship with them.

Millennial are no different from Gen X.  Just like us in our time, they also need a sense of purpose.  They want to be heard and listen.  They want the world to know that they are capable of doing good things on their own.  Just give them the trust they need!

Happy Reading,

Arlene