I have four kids…all millennials. I also have an amazing future son-in-law who fits in this category as well. He is just as much mine as the other four sometimes. They are all extraordinary people. My children surprise me on a daily basis, simply by being who they are. I learn from them as much as they learn from me, maybe more.
What is a millennial?
There have been a lot of theories thrown around about millennial kids, also known as generation y. Most would agree that they are :
1. multi-taskers
2. social media hounds (“connected”)
3. Tech-Savvy
4. Want instant gratification and recognition
5. Want a work/life balance and flexibility
6. Are team players
7. Want transparency
8. Seek career advancement opportunities
9. See no racial or cultural boundaries
10. Feel privileged and are dependent on others
While I would like to say I do not “get” millennials (as least as they are put forth in media), I truly must, I have four plus of them! My millennials are not exactly typical of their generation, however. At least, not according to my readings thereon.
Sure, I told my kids they could be anything they wanted to be, and I still do. Heck, I tell myself that all the time, and I still believe it’s true. I didn’t have doting parents telling me that constantly, I had to find it out on my own.
Are my kids millennials? They do fit the generational birth years of approximately 1986 to 1996, but let’s test them against the above list to see :
1. Multi-taskers
Yes, I suppose they are, but then, so am I. I always have been, even to the point of spreading myself too thin sometimes, so yes, they got that from me.
2. Social media hounds
Most certainly, but then, I did that first too. It is now part of my job. They actually used to tease me about it before they too became addicted.
3. Tech-savvy
In some ways, yes, but in some, no. They used to tease me about being “computer illiterate”. Now, several of them come to me when they have questions. Still, they have their smart phones and kindles, which I choose to steer clear of. They are video game aficionados, but these are not the most important things to my kids.
4. Want instant gratification and recognition
Here’s were my kids really get different. Sure, my kids may WANT these things, heck, we all do! Still, they know better. At the time they were in school, it was “everyone wins”, and “there are no losers”, but that is not how it was in our household! I think that makes a huge difference. It is not even the fact that I did not recognize these so called “rewards”. They did not recognize them either.
Me : “Son, why didn’t you tell me you got an award today?” My son : “It’s just for participating, mom. Everyone got one. What’s so special about that?”
I certainly saw his point too.
5. Want flexibility
Sure they do. We all do, but my kids realize, life isn’t always fair. They often chide me for wanting flexibility in my own work, because they didn’t see a pay off in it. My kids know the value of a good work ethic. My oldest works her butt off, supports a three year old, and is trying to finish college. She works very hard.
6. Are team players
This one I am glad to see. I actually think the world is in desperate need of it. It may even be a key to developing a greater sense of “collective consciously”, which seems greatly lacking in the world as I see it. Yes, my children ARE team players. Yay, team!
7. Want transparency
Yet another thing I see lacking in the world. Transparency to me involves a greater element. It is called honesty, and is something I have tried to instill in my children. I hope they are transparent in all their life’s dealings.
My youngest daughter is so transparent, even in dealing with her mother, that there are actually things I sometimes wish I did not know! Still, her honesty in such disclosures says a great deal about both her integrity, and her inherent respect for me. I can be nothing but proud of that.
8. Seek career advancement opportunities
We should all seek advancement, shouldn’t we? It is important in all things. However, my kids have been taught that success is relative. It is not about being the best, it is about enjoying what you do. As long as you are happy and can support yourself in the process, what more can anyone truly ask for?
9. See no racial or cultural boundaries
Again, I see this as a good trait. My kids are free, open, and loving with all races and cultures. They learn a great deal beyond what I have taught them from embracing all cultures and peoples. The world would be a far better place if we all took a page from the “millennial handbook” on this one.
10. Feel privileged and are dependent on others
Granted my kids can be a bit lazy at times, but self-discipline is something we all struggle with on different levels. Though this can make them a bit dependent on others at times, it is in no way because they feel privileged. As stated before, they know the value of hard work, and were never “coddled” in that manner.
Conclusion
The relative differences in my own children aside, perhaps the world would have less trouble adjusting to the ways of millennials if their many good traits were emphasized more. Even potentially negative traits could be easily counterbalanced with the simple addition of a good moral foundation, and a bit more common sense. We should remember this as parents, and so should our millennials as they become parents of the next generations to come.
Additional Sources: 25 years parenting millennial era children.
