As we progress through life, often times we forget what it was like during a previous stage. I find that to be what makes it difficult speaking to people who aren't in your age group. When you're older, you want younger people to know what you know; to see it how you see it; but communicating that information usually comes out as a lecture that the recipient doesn't care to hear. It works the other way around as well: younger people usually don't understand why parents have certain rules.
A recent example of this happened just a few weeks ago when a friend of mine told me she was never going to "brag" about her kids. She said this because lately, other parents have been comparing her to their kids and their accomplishments and she ends up annoyed and does not want to be "that" parent when she gets older. I understand how irritating it can be when a parent says to me, "My daughter was valedictorian. What about you?" But part of being a parent is also being proud of your children's accomplishments, although it does not necessarily encompass blatant comparisons to other children. Every parent goes through that stage of showing everyone the video of their baby's first steps, their daughter or son winning this or that, getting into whatever college, etc. Even though a lot of people don't give a shit, you just want people to be happy for you for the most part. I don't think my friend sees it that way. Not yet, at least.
I can see how frustrating it will be for me as a parent trying to convey life lessons to a fresh palette. But I guess part of life is experiencing those lessons yourself instead of merely hearing about them.
I will always admire the people who can effectively communicate with people across different age groups. I know it's something I will always have to be conscious of in order for me to become that person.
