You might not think of yourself as the “cool mom,” but let’s face it—being a GenX parent comes with its own kind of swagger. You’ve survived the days of dial-up internet, actual phone calls, and the golden age of grunge. Now, you’re juggling teens who call your music “retro” and steal your 90s wardrobe pieces as if they discovered them first. Deep down, though, you know the truth: you’re still rocking it, just in a more practical pair of shoes.
If you’ve ever caught yourself quoting Clueless or explaining what a mixtape is, this list is for you. Here are 17 hilarious signs that prove you’re the coolest GenX mom in the neighborhood—even if you don’t realize it.
1. Your kids think your music tastes are “retro,” but you know Nirvana is eternal. Bonus points if they’ve asked what a mixtape is, and you had to resist a full lecture.
2. You can quote The Breakfast Club and Clueless with equal authority.
“As if!” works in almost any situation. Bonus if you’ve also thrown out a “Bueller?” during an awkward silence.
3. You’ve finally mastered the art of texting… and use all the punctuation (unlike those Gen Zers).
They may LOL, but you’re all about the “proper” ellipsis and complete sentences.
4. Your “skincare routine” involves a mixture of regret and the same moisturizer you’ve used since 1995.
Throw out the crusty yellow Clinique bottle. It’s time
5. You’ve got a drawer full of old band T-shirts that your kids constantly “borrow.”
Nothing like seeing your Nirvana shirt on a teenager who wasn’t even alive when Kurt Cobain was cool.
6. You still own a pair of Doc Martens, and yes, they still fit.
They’ve walked you through every phase of life: from teenage angst to PTA meetings.
7. You’ve used the phrase “When I was your age, we didn’t have the internet” unironically.
And you follow it up by mimicking the delightful screeching dial-up modems. A/S/L you up?
8. You have to explain to your kids why you still pay for live TV and commercials.
“It’s about the rhythm and pace—the music of our time.” Commercial breaks gave you just enough time to grab a snack before running back to catch the rest of your show. Don’t rush us.
9. You’re quietly smug when your kids start buying vinyl records, but you’re the one with the original collection.
They act like they’ve discovered something new, but your Fleetwood Mac and The Cure albums have been waiting for this comeback.
10. Your idea of rebelling involves not coloring your gray hair anymore. This is your crown, and you’ve earned every silver strand. Let the wisdom show.
11. You hear TikTok music and think, “Wasn’t this a sample from our generation?”
Let them discover Fleetwood Mac through a skateboarder—we knew Stevie first.
12. Your definition of “parenting” includes pretending not to understand Snapchat.
“I’m too old to figure out these filters” is your favorite exit strategy.
13. You laugh when they talk about discovering ‘vintage’ trends. “Oh, you’re wearing mom jeans now? That’s adorable, I invented those.”
14. You’ve got a playlist called “Cleaning Music,” and it’s filled with 90s grunge and early 2000s hits.
Because nothing says “Saturday chores” like blasting Soundgarden, Blink 182 or Eminem.
15. You find yourself using phrases your mom used to say and cringing just a little.
“Because I said so!” comes out of your mouth more than you’d like to admit. Sigh.
16. You casually mention going to Blockbuster, and your kids look at you like you’re describing the dark ages.
“You had to drive to get a movie? And sometimes they didn’t even have it?”
17. Your style hasn’t changed much—you’ve just swapped the flannels for cardigans.
The grunge phase never truly ended, it just got a little more, let’s say, fancy.
So, there you have it. Whether it’s your Steve Madden slides that have stood the test of time or your ability to drop a perfect “Whatever” in conversation, you’re a living legend in your own right. Being a GenX mom is all about blending nostalgia with the chaos of modern parenting, and let’s be honest—you’ve been nailing it. So, the next time your kids roll their eyes at your music or ask what a VHS tape is, just remember: you’re raising them with a little bit of cool that they can only hope to understand one day.
Rock on, mom. You’ve earned it.