The world has changed a lot in just a few decades, and younger generations often live very differently from their parents. While Millennials and Gen Z don’t mean to hurt anyone, some of their choices and behaviors can leave their parents feeling confused, unappreciated, or even heartbroken.
Here are some of the things Millennials and Gen Z do that their parents may struggle with, even if they don’t always express it.
Moving Far Away from Home
Younger generations are more likely to move for better opportunities, whether it’s a job, education, or lifestyle. Sure, this independence is admirable but it can leave parents feeling left behind. Many parents dreamed of having their kids close by, sharing family dinners and holidays regularly.
When their children relocate to another state or even another country, it creates a physical and emotional distance that can be hard to bridge, even with video calls and visits.
Skipping Family Gatherings
Millennials and Gen Z often prioritize their busy schedules or personal plans over family traditions. They might not mean any harm, but skipping Thanksgiving dinner or choosing a trip with friends over a family reunion can feel like rejection to parents. These gatherings are often cherished moments for older generations, and when their kids don’t show up, it can leave them feeling undervalued or unimportant in their lives.
Rejecting Family Heirlooms
Many parents treasure family heirlooms such as furniture, jewelry, or keepsakes and they have usually been passed down through generations.
But Millennials and Gen Z often prefer minimalism or modern aesthetics, leading them to politely (or not so politely) decline these sentimental items. While it may seem like a harmless choice, it can hurt parents who see these heirlooms as a way of keeping family history alive and passing on their legacy.
Criticizing Traditional Values
Younger generations often challenge or dismiss the values they grew up with, from religion to lifestyle choices. Of course, this independence is a sign of growth, openly criticizing these traditions can feel deeply personal to parents.
Prioritizing Career Over Family
Young people these days have been shaped by a culture that values hustle, ambition, and career growth. Such a drive is impressive, it can sometimes come at the expense of family time.
Some parents might feel like they’re competing with demanding jobs and career goals for their children’s attention. When calls go unanswered, or visits are postponed because of work, it can make parents feel like they’re no longer a priority.
Posting Private Family Moments Online
Social media is second nature to younger generations, but sharing family photos, stories, or inside jokes online without considering the impact can upset parents. Some may feel their privacy is being invaded, while others might be embarrassed by the way they’re portrayed.
What feels like harmless content to Millennials and Gen Z can unintentionally cause discomfort or even resentment among family members.
Embracing a Different Parenting Style
When the newer generations become parents themselves, they often adopt modern parenting techniques that may look very different from how they were raised. This could be anything from parenting, dietary choices, or screen time rules.
These differences can make their own parents feel judged or excluded, and even if the intention isn’t to criticize, the contrast can feel like a commentary on how they were raised.
Not Calling as Often as Expected
With texts, emails, and social media, younger generations stay connected in different ways. But for parents, nothing replaces the warmth of an actual phone call. When Millennials and Gen Z opt for quick texts or weeks of silence instead of a heartfelt check-in, it can leave parents feeling forgotten or disconnected from their children’s lives.
Selling the Childhood Home
For many parents, the family home is a place full of memories and sentimental value. When the kids decide to sell it after their parents pass away or move out, it can feel like a piece of the family’s history is being erased.
Sure, this decision often makes financial or practical sense, but the emotional impact on parents is significant and often underestimated.
Changing Their Last Name
Whether for marriage, professional reasons, or personal identity, changing a last name can unintentionally sting. Many parents see their family name as a legacy, and altering it may feel like a rejection of that heritage.
Many young people make these decisions, and for them, it’s personal and has nothing to do with the parents. However, it could potentially leave a parent mourning a part of their connection to their children, even if they don’t openly say so.
Dismissing the Importance of Family Traditions
Holiday rituals, annual vacations, or weekly dinners are often deeply meaningful to parents. When younger generations dismiss these traditions as old-fashioned or unnecessary, it can leave parents feeling like their efforts to create a sense of family unity were unappreciated.
Even small acts like skipping the Christmas tree or avoiding family recipes can feel like a loss to parents who treasure these customs.
Being Distant During Hard Times
Young people today really value independence and may pull away during tough times rather than lean on family. This self-reliance is, of course, admirable but their parents could interpret the distance as a lack of trust or connection.
Most parents want to be there for their kids, and when they’re shut out during difficult moments, it can leave them feeling helpless and unneeded.
Prioritizing Friends Over Family
Younger generations often form close friendships that feel like family, and they may spend more time with their “chosen family” than their biological one. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, parents can feel sidelined when their kids prioritize friends over spending time with them.
Critiquing Their Parenting
There’s no one quicker to call out what they see as flaws than the younger generation, and this includes insights into how they were raised. They might voice concerns about outdated discipline methods their parents used or even missed opportunities.
Everyone agrees that reflection is healthy, but openly pointing out these perceived shortcomings can feel deeply hurtful to parents who did their best. Even when meant constructively, these critiques often come across as ungrateful or dismissive of their sacrifices.
Declining Family Vacations
Parents often look forward to family vacations as a way to create memories and spend quality time together. When Millennials and Gen Z opt out due to work, finances, or simply not wanting to go, it can feel like rejection.
Parents may feel like they’re losing valuable time with their kids, especially as they grow older and family vacations become rarer.
Treating Their Home Like a Hotel
And finally, when younger people these days visit their parents’ house, they may unintentionally treat it like a hotel, coming and going without much interaction, leaving messes behind, or focusing on their own plans.
While parents are often thrilled to have their kids home, this behavior can make them feel like hosts rather than family. A little effort to engage, help out, or show gratitude goes a long way in maintaining a warm connection.