Shannon Nelson, a self-proclaimed “baby boomer grandma,” thinks sleep training is ridiculous. The same goes for lunch boxes.
“I babysited my grandsons, ages 8 and 10, for three days and it took me about 45 minutes to pack up. It was like a piece of art when it was finished,” Nelson told TODAY.com told. “And of course, when they come home from school, half of the food isn’t eaten. I think we’re giving them too much choice.”
“My kids got PB&J sandwiches and apples,” Nelson, 68, added.
Nelson knows he sounds like a boomer. On social media, she regularly pokes fun at herself and other grandparents born between 1946 and 1964. One of her biggest hits is titled “What Defines a Baby Boomer Grandma?”
“I’m a baby boomer grandma and I try to come up with cute names for my grandchildren to call me,” Nelson begins her viral video. She throws out a few suggestions, including Gramma or Gigi. Nelson is called Gang Gang.
In the clip, Nelson, with a golf bag slung over one shoulder, reveals he plays tennis, golf and pickleball. In other words, “If your children want to play with me, they’ll have to do the same,” she explained with a cold smile.
Nelson then addresses the baby boomer urge to comment on people’s weight.
“I’m a baby boomer grandma, so I’m worried about your kids getting too fat. I’m also worried about you getting too fat,” she says. “I’m mainly worried about being overweight. Nobody wants a fat gangster.”
Other trademarks of baby boomer grandmas, according to Nelson, are:
It’s full of advice such as, “Why don’t you try letting that child cry a little?” “It’s great exercise.” To look like they’re participating, they post photos of their grandchildren on Facebook. Even if the grandchild wasn’t there when the photo was taken. Boomers come from girls’ schools and wear pink, and boys wear blue. “When the kids are together, let them change their clothes, because kids aren’t meant to wear olive green khakis, dusty roses, and mustard yellow.” Changing poop and diapers is automatic. Basically no. They will offer babysitting, but it will have to be on their terms. Translation: The children must come to her house. “Baby Boomer Grandma” Shannon Nelson and her grandchildren Riley and John. By: Shannon Nelson
“This is obviously a comedy, but it definitely points out what we all know: a selfish generation,” one person wrote in the comments.
Other reactions:
“Even though I knew it was supposed to be a joke, I got really excited.”
“For me, it’s the ‘nobody wants a fat gangster’ generation. That generation doesn’t embrace body positivity.”
“I’m a baby boomer grandma. I don’t want to see my grandchildren, but I’m going to complain about not being able to see them.”
“This is very accurate. I can’t do it.”
Nelson, who has three adult children and seven grandchildren, understands why millennial parents are frustrated with boomers and vice versa.
“I respect kids and the way they parent, but it’s very different from what we’ve been doing,” Nelson tells TODAY. “I find myself biting my tongue a lot.”
For example, Nelson is concerned that today’s youth are growing up too soft.
“These days, it’s all about being nice and everyone is very concerned about their child’s feelings,” says Nelson. “Are we going to produce kids who just can’t cope? My starting point was the therapy I received from my parents, with the words ‘get over it.'”
Shannon Nelson and grandson Georgie. By: Shannon Nelson
Nelson also feels that her children have too many schedules with extracurricular activities.
“They have very little free time to discover the world on their own,” Nelson says.
Nelson doesn’t agree with all of her children’s parenting choices, but she acknowledges that they are “more thoughtful” parents than she is.
“I’ve never looked at a parenting book,” Nelson says. “These parents are researching and reading, and I think that’s a good thing. They’re a lot smarter than us. They’ve just spread their wings.”
Nelson feels lucky to have a “great relationship” with his family. She credits it to being a mother, admitting her mistakes and following her mother’s rules.
“Unless you’re asked for advice, keep your mouth shut. Just zip it up,” Nelson says.
