It’s fair to say that we have heard this comment from our parents and have likely repeated the same words about our children. With the speed of change, it’s likely that our children will be saying this about our grandchildren! Such statements often emerge from a lack of understanding of the next generation or a lack of appreciation of differences. I remember my parents appalled by the long hair of the Beatles when they were popular in the sixties. For parents to be helpful in launching their young adults, it’s important to understand them and their world. Millennials are different, but that should not be viewed as a negative. Different is just different!
St. Francis of Assisi advised that one should first seek to understand and then to be understood. Good advice for parents. Approach the young adult with an open mind and an open heart. Also, listen with an open mind to the words they say and with an open heart to the feelings they share. Listen non judgmentally.
Can you Speak Their Language?
Millennials live in the world of social media. Do you know their language? What do these mean?
- LOL
- JK
- SNL
- YOLO
- BFF
- Hosting
Do you Know These Things About Your Young Adult?
- What they like and dislike about themselves?
- What was their most difficult challenge in growing up?
- What was their biggest disappointment in growing up?
- What makes them happy?
For more information on how to understand and communicate with your young adult, read the short book Can You Speak Millennial “ese?” available at our products page.
- Grown-Up Stuff Explained - January 6, 2022
- Why Fathers & Young Adult Sons Fail to Connect - December 3, 2021
- Rules of Engagement for Parents of Young Adults - November 19, 2021
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