Navigating Generational Language Barriers: How Millennials and Boomers Miscommunicate
Do you ever just want to slam your head into a wall after talking to a parent? I do. Boomer parents drive me CRAZY.
I am the youngest in my family of 5, and therefore, the age gap between me and my parents is the biggest of the siblings. Each generation brings in its offerings and insights to the world, and my generation is on the beginning cusp of what we call emotional intelligence/emotional awareness/attunement in relationship with self and others. It seems this rubs up against the boomer belief of “You have everything you need, so what’s the problem?”
The Challenge of Emotional Awareness Across Generations
I find myself navigating a heartbreaking dynamic with my parents. I love and need them, and I hate that I love and need them. Parents are the hardest to let go of. I hate the fact that almost every one of my adult problems brought up in therapy has a memory connected to childhood… connected to them. This is true in my own sessions and my sessions with my clients.
When Communication Glitches Occur
My boomers don’t speak emotions, attunement, or reflection. They speak of actions, money, and avoidance. It sucks. We look at each other with such confusion. A look that communicates “what are you even saying?”. We glitch and can’t compute the data and freeze, not knowing how to process the incoming information. We are RARELY on the same page; book even. It’s caused and still causes me a lot of pain and distress.
Writing as a Way to Process
As I write this, I have no answers on how to move forward.
I just needed to write it because I’m sad.
These are my honest and raw thoughts.
With truth & love,
Katie
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