Millennial Parenting Stigma

Regardless of what generation you are born into, you can live and act the way you want. Depending on how you live and act, you may also have consequences or benefits. This article is meant to inform from the research I have done because let’s be honest, I am a millennial born in 1988. I do not fit most of this research.

What is the definition of a Millennial?

It refers to the generation born in the early 1980s and 1990s, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. This generation is also known as Generation Y because it comes after Generation X, born between the early 1960s and the 1980s.

What are Millennial parenting differences?

There is a huge thing right now about “Millennials Parenting.” Studies show that they raise kids differently than the generation before them. For instance, not committing to marry before having kids. An article from The New York Times suggests that millennial parents are turning to Google, chat rooms, and apps for all parenting advice. The same article mentions that their kids live on social media and have their own YouTube channels.

Honesty, I was born in 1988 and am classified as a “millennial.” No two people are alike, and we all have different situations, such as having a child before marriage. I did get married before having my boys, but my situation was always school first and then building a family. Some parents have been able to raise a family and go to school simultaneously. I am completely amazed by them!

Why do Millennial parents seem to struggle more financially?

If you honestly think about it, the cause is inflation. Childcare and education have increased by 16% from what it was in 1960. The Washington Post states that the average 18 to 34-year-old today makes about $2,000 less than they would have in 1980.

Our millennial parents are suffering financially they are stuck paying high-interest rates on their student loans while trying to provide for a family and struggling also to pay for childcare which can be upwards of $30,000 a year. Some individuals and I are trying to plan by putting away a little money for my kids’ college education to prevent them from struggling.

What age do millennials tend to start a family?

A mother’s age at birth has been increasing steadily for decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 1980, it was 22.7; in 2013, it was 26.

I fit this statistic because I waited until I was done school and in the workforce before I married and had my boys. I had Jack at the age of 27 and Luke at 28.

What is different in the household than in prior decades?

Gender roles are changing more than in prior generations, where it was known as the father was the breadwinner and the mother was the homemaker. A 2015 Working Mother Research Institute survey found that dads were more likely to help out around the house than previous generations of fathers. Still, 79% of working mothers say they are responsible for doing the laundry, and they are twice as likely to take care of the cooking.

I feel that if you both live in the house, you should share responsibilities. This is regardless if you are a millennial or another generation. Some may say that if you are a stay-at-home mom or dad they don’t work, you should have more household responsibilities. Think about that statement again, please. They care for your child, including cooking, clothing, cleaning, and more. Taking care of a little human, educating, entertaining, and more is very exhausting.

As you know, I am a full-time employee, mom, wife, and blogger. My husband is also a full-time employee with the government. We should share more responsibilities, but his commute outweighs mine since I work from home. I can tackle many things before he gets home so we can spend quality time as a family.

Why are parents spending more time with their children?

A 2016 study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that mothers spend about an hour more taking care of their kids than mothers did back in 1965. Meanwhile, dads are spending almost an hour, up from about 16 minutes in 1965.

A 2018 study by Capital Group found that millennials started talking to their kids about money sooner than Boomer’s parents did. 39% of millennial parents said they would start telling children at age 12 or younger to start saving early.

My dad raised my twin sister and me by himself. However, he occasionally had help from my aunt and grandparents. My dad wasn’t around as often as he was working, but he is classified as a baby boomer. He never really talked about finances except saying that’s not in the budget. My aunt one day taught me about a checkbook, and just those two instances have helped me a lot in my independence.

My boys are currently 2 and 3 years old and currently have a piggy bank. I tell them that their money is for when they want something. They have chores like matching socks, setting the table, and making their beds. This is how they learn to help momma with daily household chores.

Why are millennial families more concerned with kids’ nutrition?

A survey in AdWeek found that millennial moms say nutrition is more important than price or convenience when it comes to packing their kids’ lunches. In a survey, 60% of moms said they pack lunch boxes differently than how they grew up.

This is important as also Michelle Obama started the let’s move to raise a healthier generation of kids. This is important to me as food is the best way to get nutrients to your body. Not from a pill but from well-balanced and healthy foods.

Do you have more ideas that millennials are doing more than previous generations?

I almost feel like it is more publicized than it ever was before. Please share your thoughts by commenting below.

Sincerely,