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By Erin Pittman
Parents of 2025 often feel like they’re raising aliens. Your child hears the numbers six and seven mentioned in the same sentence—any context, any setting—and instantly pops up, does the dramatic bobbing hand motions, and declares, “Siiiix. Sevvvvvvennn.” They laugh like it’s the funniest thing that has ever existed. Five minutes later, they’re giggling at a dancing frog whispering “slayyyy no thoughts,” talking to an AI avatar more than to actual humans, and maintaining a three-month Snapchat streak like it’s part of their permanent record.
And you’re standing there thinking, “What planet did you come from?”
But what if today’s kids aren’t actually that different? What if they’re just using modern tools to do the same
things we did growing up in the 80s and 90s? Let’s take a tour.
Kids Have “Brainrot” Videos.
You had SNL quotes, TV catchphrases, and movie lines.
Kids repeat bizarre TikTok sounds over and over until it becomes an inside joke.
We did the exact same thing.
Memes are just the new movie quotes. The technology changed. The humor didn’t.
Kids talk on six platforms at once.
You had three-way calls, AIM chats, and notes passed between classes.
To adults, it looks chaotic. A single conversation might jump through:
- Snapchat for quick updates
- Discord for the group chat
- Instagram for memes
- TikTok for expressive reactions
- Notes app for long emotional confessions
They’re not scattered. They are curating communication depending on tone and purpose—something many
adults do at work without realizing it.
We used multiple channels too. They just weren’t all digital.
Kids are obsessed with Snapchat streaks.
You tracked who called you every night or saved voicemails.
Streaks = relationship status. No streak?
“You don’t care about us anymore.”
Remember waiting by the phone for hours? Same dynamic. Different technology.
Kids express identity in “cores:” cottagecore, cozycore, chaoscore.
You had Delia’s catalogs, mall photo booths, and mixtapes to express your vibe.
Instead of just wearing clothes, kids today dress in vibes.
Parents did the exact same thing:
- Grunge
- Preppy
- Skater
- Raver
We didn’t call it a core, but we absolutely committed to a theme.
Kids have AI best friends.
You had diaries, advice columns, and late-night radio request lines.
Kids use AI to:
- Vent without judgment
- Rehearse conversations
- Build confidence before real interactions
This isn’t replacing connection. It’s helping them practice for it. Just like writing in a diary helped you rehearse what to say to your crush.
Kids use memes to express emotions.
You used song lyrics on AIM.
Instead of saying “I’m stressed,” they send a raccoon screaming into a dumpster.
We used to put dramatic song lyrics in our AIM away message like: “Don’t speak, I know just what you’re
sayin’…” — No Doubt
Emotionally? Exactly the same.
Kids watch other people play video games.
You watched MTV music video countdowns for two hours.
Slightly different content, but the same vegging out effect.
TRL and VH1 Top 20 taught us how to have opinions on things we didn’t actually care about.
The more things change…
CHALLENGE
Now that you know your children really are from this planet, instead of letting the differences come between you, pull together some examples and let them bring you together through laughter and relating.
“Gen Alpha vs. Gen X/Gen Y Translation Challenge”
Goal: Connection, laughter, understanding
Step 1: Ask your kid to pick:
- A trending meme
- A sound or catchphrase
- A “core aesthetic”
Step 2: YOU guess what you think it means.
The more wrong you are, the funnier.
Step 3: You pick something from your youth:
- A Delia’s catalog outfit
- Your AIM screen name
- A clip from Clueless or Napoleon Dynamite
Step 4: They guess what THAT meant in your day.
Both of you will end up laughing.
Both of you will learn something.
Conclusion
Today’s kids don’t expect parents to understand everything. They just want us to be curious. You don’t
have to totally speak their language. You just have to ask them to teach you a bit.
Because connection doesn’t come from getting it right. It comes from showing up.
Erin Pittman is editor in chief of Prince William Living magazine and the mom of three kids who test her with
every meme. And yes, she’s spent the past few months trying to laugh and not scream when they catch her in another “six, sevvven” mention.
