Apparently, we’ve now moved on to blaming Gen X for sucking at grandparenting. Upworthy ran this piece based on a Reddit post by some exasperated grandma calling out Gen X grandparents for disappointing their adult kids, and society predictably went off the rails from there. It’s another installment from the Generational Blame Olympics, now airing daily on your favorite doomscroll app.
The Bullet Point Brief
- So now Gen X is the villain because they don’t want to play co-parent or babysitter-on-demand for their adult kids? Shocking.
- Reddit moms are losing sleep over the fact that Nana doesn’t say yes to every parenting demand. That’s called boundaries, sweetheart.
- One commenter said Gen X folks lack empathy and only think about themselves. Meanwhile, they’re probably typing that while asking their mom to watch their kid, for free, again.
- This isn’t about generations. It’s about people expecting others to solve the problems they created when they thought motherhood was “quirky content.”
My Bottom Line
Look, I’m technically a baby boomer—born in ’62—but let me tell you something: All these generational cage matches? Manufactured nonsense. “Okay Boomer,” “Lazy Millennials,” and now “Gen X = bad grandparents”? Please. Nobody fits neatly into whatever sociologists and social media mobs say we’re supposed to be like because of our birthday.
You want strong families? Quit outsourcing them to BuzzFeed think-pieces and online therapists with ring lights. If your parent doesn’t want to be a live-in nanny at age 60, that’s not generational selfishness; that’s called having a life. And if you’re going to rage-type about how awful your parents are while asking them for childcare again tomorrow, maybe it’s time to check your own entitlement badge at the door.
I became a first-time parent at age 44, and yeah, I’d love nothing more than the chance to become a grandpa someday before Medicare kicks in. But in all honesty, the idea that someone’s ability, or willingness, to grandparent should align with some generational identity is as empty as Congress’ promises during an election year.
Don’t fall for it. Love your family even when they set boundaries. Raise your kids with grace instead of guilt-tripping Grandma on Reddit. And maybe, just maybe, start focusing more on personal responsibility than meme-ready catchphrases like “Boomer energy.”
