If you’re a millennial, you’ve probably had a negative experience or two (or more) with a baby boomer. One “boomer grandma” has been posting videos of skits where she pokes fun at herself and her generation, and while they’re a little bit triggering to millennials—especially millennial parents—you can’t deny her sense of humor.
Shannon Nelson is a 68-year-old grandma who regularly makes fun of boomers, the generation born roughly from 1946 to 1964. One of her most viral videos is about “What defines a boomer grandma?” It turns out, it’s not just the age.
“I’m a boomer grandma, and I’m gonna make up a cute name for my grandkids to call me,” Nelson says in the clip, which has amassed thousands of views and comments. “Something like Gigi or Mimsy or Gang Gang.”
In another part of the video that shows Nelson with a bag of golf clubs slung over her shoulder, she proclaims, “I’m a boomer grandma, and I still play tennis and golf and pickleball, and if your kids want to hang out with me, they’re gonna have to do the same thing.”
In one particularly triggering part of the sketch, she says, “I’m a boomer grandma, so I worry about your kids getting too fat. I worry about you getting too fat, too. Mostly, I worry about me getting too fat. Nobody wants a fat Gang Gang.”
Some other signs of a boomer grandma, according to Nelson’s video:
- They have lots of advice to give younger parents, like, “Why don’t you let that baby cry a little bit? It’s such good exercise for them.”
- They’ll post photos of your kids on Facebook even though they weren’t there when the photos were taken — because they weren’t invited (but their friends don’t know that).
- They don’t change any diapers because “been there, done that.”
- They’ll offer to babysit, but they secretly hope you don’t take them up on it — and if you do, it has to be at their house.
In the comments, millennials are responding with mixed feelings.
“This is clearly a comedy but definitely points out what we all know – such a selfish generation,” one wrote.
Another added, “Who made this documentary about my mother.”
And boomers are also in the comments, leaving their own thoughts.
“I’m a boomer grandma and this is not selfish. We spent our time raising our children and we will not raise yours just because you think you’re entitled to time away from your kids,” one wrote.
Well, that’s one way to miss the point.
