When your mom cracks a joke, you roll your eyes. When your dad gives advice, you shrug it off.

Welcome to the world of adult children dealing with boomer parents.

Sometimes it’s not a walk in the park, and that’s mainly because of certain behaviors exhibited by these parents.

It’s not always that they’re out of touch or can’t switch on a computer, sometimes it goes deeper than just not understanding the latest TikTok trend.

I’ve observed and studied these interactions, and I’ve pinpointed 8 specific behaviors that seem to be the common culprits.

So, if you’re a boomer parent trying to communicate better with your adult child or an adult child trying to figure out why you can’t take your parents seriously, stay tuned.

Let’s dive into this complex world of intergenerational communication and see if we can make sense of it all.

1) Overusing outdated phrases

Language is a tricky thing. It’s always evolving, sometimes faster than we can keep up with.

For boomer parents, this can lead to a communication gap when they use phrases or words that have faded from modern conversation. It’s not their fault, they’re just using the language they grew up with.

But let’s be honest, it can be hard to take someone seriously when they’re talking about “groovy” ideas or telling you to “keep on truckin'”.

It’s like trying to read an old book with outdated language; the content might be great, but it’s hard to get past the language barrier.

As a boomer parent, you find your adult child rolling their eyes or suppressing a laugh when you’re giving advice, it might be worth updating your vocabulary.

After all, communication is key in any relationship, and it starts with speaking the same language.

2) Expecting traditional roles

I remember when my mom couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that I, her adult daughter, was completely okay with being single and focusing on my career.

“Don’t you want to settle down?” she’d ask. “Isn’t it time you started thinking about having kids?”

She’s from a different era, where getting married and having children were seen as natural next steps after a certain age. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s not everyone’s path.

Her expectations were based on traditional roles, and when I didn’t fit into that mold, she didn’t know how to react. It’s safe to say, I found it hard to take her seriously during those discussions.

If you’re a boomer parent and find your adult child reacting similarly, it might be time to reassess your expectations. Remember, their aspirations might not be the same as yours, and that’s perfectly okay.

3) Being overly protective

Eagles are known for pushing their young out of the nest so they can learn to fly. It’s a tough love approach, but it works.

Unfortunately, some boomer parents have a hard time letting go and continue to hover over their adult children. They’re constantly worried and express their concerns in ways that might seem smothering to their grown-up kids.

While the intention is good, being overly protective can undermine an adult child’s ability to make decisions and take responsibility for their actions. It can make it difficult for them to take their parents seriously when they’re always expecting the worst.

So, if you find yourself always worrying about your adult child, remember the eagles. Sometimes, you need to let go and trust that they’ll be able to handle whatever comes their way.

4) Resisting technology

We live in a digital age. Smartphones, social media, online shopping – the list goes on.

But for many boomer parents, this world of technology can seem daunting. They prefer to stick to what they know, which often means avoiding new tech at all costs.

The problem is, for their adult children who are digital natives, this resistance can be frustrating. It can make communication difficult and create a gap that’s hard to bridge.

Not only that, but it can also lead to adult children not taking their parents seriously when they refuse to engage with a world that’s so integral to their lives.

If you’re a boomer parent who’s been avoiding technology, it might be time to dip your toes in the digital waters. After all, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!

5) Not understanding the importance of mental health

I grew up in a household where “shaking it off” was the go-to advice for anything remotely related to mental health. If I was feeling down or anxious, it was often dismissed as a temporary mood swing.

My parents, like many boomer parents, didn’t fully grasp the importance of mental health. They came from a time when such things weren’t openly discussed or given much importance.

Fast forward to now, and we know just how crucial mental health is. It’s as important as physical health, and it’s something I wish my parents had understood better.

If you’re an adult child dealing with similar dismissiveness, or a boomer parent wondering why your advice isn’t taken seriously, remember that understanding and empathy go a long way in addressing mental health issues.

6) Trying to be the cool parent

Remember when you were a kid and your parents tried to join in on your games? It was fun, right? But when they try to do the same with your adult life, it can be a bit… off-putting.

Boomer parents often try to keep up with their adult children’s lives by adopting their habits, using their slang, or even trying to get involved in their social circles. The intention is good, they’re trying to connect and understand.

However, this can backfire. Instead of feeling closer, it can make their adult children take them less seriously. It’s like watching a professor trying to fit in at a student party – it just doesn’t work.

If you’re a boomer parent, remember that you don’t always have to keep up with every single trend to connect with your kids. Sometimes, just being there for them and showing genuine interest in their lives is enough.

7) Dismissing new age concepts

Yoga, mindfulness, veganism, and sustainability – these are all concepts that have gained a lot of traction in recent years. However, for many boomer parents, these ideas can seem foreign and easy to dismiss.

While it’s perfectly okay not to adopt these practices or beliefs, outright dismissing them can be off-putting for adult children who regard these concepts as important.

By dismissing these new age concepts, boomer parents run the risk of appearing out of touch, and their opinions can be taken less seriously by their adult children.

So, as a boomer parent, it might be beneficial to open your mind to these concepts. You don’t have to fully embrace them, but understanding their importance to your kids can go a long way in maintaining mutual respect.

8) Refusing to acknowledge change

The world is constantly changing. New ideas, new technologies, new norms – it’s a never-ending cycle of evolution. But for many boomer parents, these changes can be hard to accept.

Sticking to old ways and refusing to acknowledge that the world is different from when they were growing up can lead to a communication gap between them and their adult children.

It’s not about giving up on your values or beliefs. It’s about understanding that the world your children are navigating is different from the one you knew, and being open to learning about these changes.

That open-mindedness can make all the difference in being taken seriously by your adult children.

Understanding the generation gap

If you’ve made it this far, it’s clear that intergenerational communication is a complex issue, and one that requires a lot of understanding from both sides.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about being taken seriously or not. It’s about respecting and appreciating the differences that exist between us and our parents, or us and our children.

We are products of different times, molded by different experiences. And while that can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts, it can also lead to an enriching exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Remember, as George Bernard Shaw once said, “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

Whether you’re a boomer parent trying to connect with your adult child or an adult child trying to understand your parents better, keep this in mind. Understanding and embracing change is the first step towards bridging the generation gap.

And who knows? You might just find that there’s a lot more common ground than you initially thought.