8 Totally Awesome Things 'Geriatric Millennial' Parents Do

The definition of "millennial" is a moving target. To some, it's a label for avocado toast-loving 20-somethings. To others, like psychologist Jean Twenge, Ph.D., it's anyone who just happened to be born between 1980 and 1994.

But those of us born in the early '80s specifically have been told we're part of a microgeneration referred to as "Xennials" (a portmanteau of Gen X and millennial) or the "Oregon Trail Generation." We're the ones who grew up knowing what life was like before dial-up internet let alone smart devices, and yet, we were early adopters of that technology. We're a bridge generation. But now, we're just really freaking old—"geriatric" even.

Since a Medium piece written by author and teamwork expert Erica Dhawan went viral, people of all generations have been snickering about her use of the term "geriatric millennial." She argues that thanks to our expertise in both digital and analog communication, we're best suited to leading hybrid workforces. Unfortunately, the world can't help but equate the word "geriatric" with Medicare, and someone born in 1980 is still very much a fresh-faced newbie to their 40s, thank you very much.

Nonetheless, here are eight things that make you a "geriatric millennial" parent.

1. You're a Genius With Subtext (Over Text or In-Person)

According to Dhawan, "Geriatric millennials can read the subtext of an SMS just as well as they can pick up on a client's hesitation in their facial expressions during an in-person meeting." In other words, you probably know full well what your tween is up to when sending a string of emojis, and you're also able to tell when they're attempting to pull one over you face-to-face.

2. You Can Actually Answer the Phone or Listen to a Voicemail

It might not be your favorite thing to do, but because you're so comfortable with technology and have good boundaries around it, having to tend to a voicemail left by your kid's doctor or school isn't going to "inspire fear" as it would for someone older or younger.

3. Getting Comfy Making TikToks Was Easy-Peasy

You've already been on Friendster, MySpace, signed up with Facebook when it was for college kids only, and used Instagram when it was just hipster-y, filtered photos, etc. So it's NBD to learn and hop onto whatever the next big social platform is—even if Gen Z thinks you're at the point that you can barely figure out how to use your hearing aid.

4. You Can Actually Help Your Kid Write a Real Letter to Santa, POTUS, or Whoever

Because we remember a time before emails and texts were de rigeur, we fully understand how to use the good old USPS and can easily help our children do the same.

5. You Know What It's Like to Spend Summers Playing Outside

Our "analog" years were spent riding bikes, going to the recreation department's pool, playing a sport, or just listening to the same couple of CDs on a boombox. We know what life is like without device addiction, and we're not afraid to remind our kids that they too can—and should—be enjoying the offline world.

6. You Hate New Math But Were Likely Taught Cursive

You could be super frustrated by your kid's "new math" homework, but you'll also be able to teach them a thing or two that they might not be learning these days, like cursive. OK, maybe that isn't something they'll have to use every day, but experts say it can lead "to increased comprehension and participation."

7. You're Equal Parts "Cynical" and "Bubbly"

According to a Buzzfeed piece about our microgen, we "geriatric millennials" can feel as gloomy as Gen X and as upbeat as millennials, which sounds like the ultimate, pragmatic balance, right?

8. You Never Quite Fit In—and That's a Good Thing

You don't feel like you were 100% a grunge-loving, latchkey kid or a device-addicted, helicopter-parented kid. You're a super-unique member of a microgeneration that's apparently better equipped to step into leadership positions—like being a parent—than people born at any other time. And that should definitely give you a confidence boost, utterly ridiculous "geriatric" label be damned.