When my grandchildren chatter away, it sometimes feels like they’re speaking a different language.

I’ve seen six decades of life, but this new generation baffles me.

It’s not as simple as saying ‘they’re young, they’ll grow out of it’.

No, there’s something more to it.

The way they think, act, interact—it’s a whole new world that I’m struggling to understand.

But hey, I’m not alone.

Many of us in our 60s find ourselves scratching our heads over these eight specific things about our grandkids’ generation.

Let’s dive into the digital age through the eyes of us ‘old-timers’, shall we?

1) Social media is their world

It’s like they live double lives!

One moment, they’re in front of me, the next, they’re immersed in their phones.

They’re giggling at something a friend posted or furrowing their brows over a viral video.

It’s a strange dance between reality and a digital realm that I simply can’t grasp.

It’s not just the technology aspect of it, but the way they use these platforms to connect, share, and even argue; it’s like they have their own unique code of conduct that I can’t decipher.

I mean, I get the basic idea—I guess it’s like an online gathering spot—but the nuances of likes, shares, followers—it’s all Greek to me.

Let’s not even get started on the acronyms and emojis!

Some days, it feels like I need a translator just to understand a simple text message from them.

2) Their idea of privacy

Not long ago, I saw my granddaughter sharing a photo of her breakfast online.

I asked her why she felt the need to broadcast such a mundane part of her day to the world.

She simply shrugged and said, “It’s just what we do, grandma.”

I come from a time when privacy was valued and personal moments were just that—personal.

This constant sharing and documenting of life’s every moment is something I find hard to comprehend.

Why would you want the whole world to know what you’re eating for breakfast?

The concept of privacy seems to have evolved drastically with this generation, and let’s just say I’m finding it hard to keep up.

3) Their fluid approach to careers

In my time, you picked a career and stuck with it, often for life.

It was about stability, a steady paycheck, and a pension waiting for you at the end.

But today’s generation seems to be rewriting the rules: They switch jobs like clothes, often having multiple careers in their lifetime.

They’re more interested in personal fulfillment and work-life balance than a gold watch after decades of service.

Did you know that millennials are likely to have 12-15 different jobs in their lifetime? This fluidity is mind-boggling to me!

It’s a brave and adventurous approach, no doubt, but one I find hard to fully understand.

4) Their obsession with convenience

From food delivery apps to online shopping, this generation seems to be all about convenience.

It’s like the idea of waiting for something is completely foreign to them.

I remember when we had to go to a store, physically pick out what we wanted, wait in line, and then carry it all the way home.

It wasn’t the most efficient system, but it was what we had.

Now, they can get anything they want with just a few taps on their phone.

It’s impressive technology, no doubt, but it also feels a little impersonal and detached.

Is this convenience making life better or just making us more impatient? I’m still trying to figure that one out.

5) The way they absorb information

I must admit, this generation’s capacity to consume information is staggering.

They take in news, entertainment, and education all at once, and from multiple sources.

Back in my day, we had a handful of channels on the television and the local newspaper.

We’d wait for the evening news to get our updates.

Now, my grandkids are constantly plugged in.

They’re scrolling through news feeds, watching videos, and reading articles all at the same time.

I tried it once—juggling between various tabs and apps—and I must say, it left me feeling more overwhelmed than informed!

How they process all that information without getting a headache is beyond me.

6) Their take on success

You’d think with all the technology and resources at their fingertips, this generation would be all about making it big, fast.

But surprisingly, that’s not always the case.

Many of them are more focused on experiences than accumulating wealth or material things.

They’re willing to spend money on travel, concerts, festivals—anything that gives them a unique experience.

They seem more interested in creating a life that feels good on the inside, rather than one that looks good on the outside.

As much as I find this bewildering, there’s a part of me that admires this shift in perspective.

It’s just not how I was brought up to view success.

7) Their relationship with the environment

This generation’s relationship with the environment is something I find both admirable and a little confusing.

They’re passionate about things like recycling, conserving energy, and reducing waste; they’re more aware and concerned about the environment than any generation I’ve seen before.

Yet, they also live in a world of disposable fashion and single-use technology.

They buy clothes only to discard them after a few wears, and they change phones as soon as a new model hits the market.

It’s a strange dichotomy that I’m still trying to understand.

8) Their resilience and adaptability

For all the things I don’t understand about my grandchildren’s generation, there’s one thing I truly admire—their resilience.

They’ve grown up in a world that’s changing faster than ever before; they’ve had to adapt to new technologies, economic challenges, and global crises.

Yet, they’re not just surviving, they’re thriving.

They’re finding new ways to connect, to work, to learn, and to make a difference—while it may be different from how I did things, I can’t help but respect their tenacity.

As much as they baffle me, I’m convinced—they’re going to do just fine.

Embracing the gap and the future

As I reflect on these eight points, I realize that this generation gap is more than just a chasm of misunderstanding.

It’s a testament to the relentless march of time and the evolution of society.

Their world may baffle me at times, but it’s also filled with promise and potential.

They’re charting a new course, making their own rules, and finding their way in a world that is vastly different from the one I grew up in.

And that’s okay—because every generation has its own way of navigating life.

Just like we did in our time, they too are finding their voice, their rhythm, and their place in the world.

As I grapple with my confusion about their choices and views, I’m also filled with a sense of admiration for their resilience and adaptability.

I know that they are not just the future—they are, in fact, the present.

Maybe, just maybe, there’s something we can learn from them too.

After all, understanding is a two-way street.

It’s about time we took a step into their world.

Who knows? We might be pleasantly surprised by what we discover.