Millennials Think Boomers Are the Worst Grandparents Ever
Grandparents were once the fallback plan—ready with snacks, stories, and spontaneous sleepovers. But ask a millennial today, and the image of the hands-on, dependable grandparent has shifted. More than a few parents say their Baby Boomers parents are less interested in babysitting and more into boundary-setting.
Here are some reasons why millennials think boomers have flunked the grandparent gig.
Demanded Grandkids, Then Ghosted
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Boomer parents spent years nudging them to “get on with it” and have kids already. But once the babies arrived? Suddenly, they’re too tired, too busy, or just not that into babysitting. It’s a hard pivot that leaves new parents scrambling, “Weren’t you the one who wanted this?”
Ignore House Rules
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Millennial parents often set clear guidelines—no soda, no scary shows, early bedtimes. But some boomer grandparents wave them off, acting like they’re optional. They’ll sneak a forbidden snack or let bedtime slide “just this once,” which leads to cranky kids and frustrated parents.
Competing With Their Friends’ Grandkids
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“Linda’s grandson just won a chess tournament,” or “Barbara’s granddaughter speaks Mandarin.” It feels like a humblebrag Olympics, where the grandkids are just pawns in a generational game of one-upmanship.
Make Everything About Themselves
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Boomers sometimes center their feelings: “No one told me!” “I wasn’t in the front row!” or “Why didn’t you ask me to help?” Millennials say it’s frustrating when moments meant for their kids become emotionally seized by grandparent drama.
Criticize a Lot
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They always have something to say, and it’s rarely positive. Millennials report feeling picked apart by nonstop commentary like “We never did it that way” or “That’s not how you were raised.” Helpful advice is one thing, but endless nitpicking wears thin fast.
No Interest in Milestones
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Baby’s first steps, school plays, soccer games—boomer grandparents often skip these milestones or don’t ask about them. Grandparents who stay at a distance miss the little things that build relationships. Kids grow fast, and it stings when those early years pass without grandparent involvement.
Still Play Favorites
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Millennials have noticed that boomer grandparents sometimes gravitate toward one grandchild over others, usually based on gender, personality, or how much a kid resembles them. It creates tension and leaves some children wondering why they don’t get the same level of attention.
They Think Kids Need to Tough It Out—Even During Vomiting
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Your kid is clearly unwell—pale, sluggish, maybe on round two of throwing up—and Grandma’s suggestion is to “walk it off” or “sip some 7UP and push through.” For a generation raised on tough love and Vicks VapoRub, rest and monitoring don’t feel necessary unless someone has a fever of 10.
They’re Stuck in Gender Stereotypes
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Give a boy a doll or let a girl get muddy, and watch some boomer grandparents glitch. You’ll hear comments like “That’s not ladylike” or “He needs trucks, not tea sets.” Millennials try to raise kids with freedom to explore, but boomers often bring the old rulebook to playdates.
They Talk About the Kids While the Kids Are There
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Millennials are big on boundaries and respect, even for toddlers. Boomers, however, will happily narrate every flaw and trait in front of the child, like they’re giving a Yelp review of a dinner guest. “He’s so moody lately,” or “She’s a bit bossy”—all while the kid is within earshot.
Tech Confusion
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Boomers often struggle with tech, but instead of learning FaceTime or using shared calendars, they expect grandkids to adapt. Missed calls, ignored group texts, and confusion over video chats become common—and then they blame millennials for not keeping them in the loop.
They Give Your Toddler a Name You Didn’t Approve
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You spent months choosing the perfect name—thoughtful, meaningful, maybe even symbolic—and then Grandpa decides “Theo” should be “Teddy” now. Names are personal. And while it might seem harmless, assigning a totally new one without asking can undercut a kid’s identity.
Ignore or Dismiss Mental Health Conversations
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Millennials are more open about mental health, therapy, and emotional challenges. But when they try to explain postpartum depression or parenting burnout, boomers might respond with “We didn’t have that back then,” or “You just need more sleep.” That invalidation hits hard.
Bring Up Inheritance Way Too Early
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Planning for the future is one thing, but some boomers can’t stop talking about their estate, who gets the China, or what will happen “when we’re gone.” Millennials, deep in diapers and daycare bills, would rather talk about living support than funeral arrangements.
Forget They Were Latchkey Parents
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Many millennials remember raising themselves and their siblings while their parents worked long hours or weren’t home much. Now, they’re being told to just “figure it out.” That disconnect between what boomers expected from their kids and what they now refuse to give as grandparents adds to the tension.