Parenting expert speaks on communication barriers between generations

JACKSON, Tenn. — An expert shares insights on how to help different generations understand one another.

“The kid said to me “Oh Mrs. Shoup you look” something about ‘Drip’ and they were telling me my dress or the outfit looked pretty and I was like ‘What?’ Did that–? Were they commenting on my jewelry?” said Kelly Shoup, parenting expert and pediatric occupational therapist.

A recent TikTok of a mother and daughter comparing their own generational slang is trending. We reached out to Shoup for more information regarding what parents can do to better relate to their children.

“I think it speaks to their creativity that they can use it again. And it’s not an explicit bad word. So I’m like ‘I’ll take anything that isn’t.’ I think it’s way too much of the other,” said Shoup.

Shoup says that these new words are no different than the previous generation.

“It’s just a different way that we’re going about it then we have in previous generations. I think the other thing that’s new is that kids nowadays have different platforms where they’re learning all these different words or phrases,” said Shoup.

She shares that it is more of a concern for how Generation Alpha, those born in the early and mid 2010s to early and mid 2020’s, communicates with others who are not their peers.

“Kids nowadays are terrified to call someone on the phone for sure. Somebody they don’t know but event to talk on the phone with a grandparent they can’t auto correct they can’t erase what they’re going to say it’s happening in real time,” said Shoup.

Shoup offers advice to help this generational divide to understand each other. She says younger generations should try and help with the teaching process.

“You kind of have to guide the older generations in a step by step process because their brains aren’t wired to know how to do it automatically,” said Shoup.

Shoup also shares that you can search up some of the lingo if you’re unsure what your kids are saying.

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