iGen Generation - Born 1995-2012

If you, or your child, or your student was born anytime between 1995 and 2012 you/she/he is of the iGen generation— you know, the generation after the Millennials. You will want to read Dr. Jean M. Twenge's book iGen.

Filled with charts, statistics, and facts, her book, will amaze you at how iGens have moved beyond the technology and social media we think the Millennials own.

Here is a link to the many Appendices that supplement the book, and along with the book, here is where you will get a quick sample of what the author has compiled to help readers understand the iGen generation. Ironically, when you view this link, the first graph you will see is Figure 1.A. "8th and 10th graders' print media use." Hang on to your seat when you view this graph.

Coincidentally, NYTimes columnist Frank Bruni quoted Twenge in his Sunday Review column last Sunday, [She said] "Having to sit for more than a half hour or an hour doing one thing — that's gone by the wayside, and that concerns me as an educator and as a parent."

Here is one more link to her TEDx Talk. In her closing comment she states, "Let your phone be a tool you use, not a tool that uses you."

Grand Parenting

Now, in my world of grand parenting, I am sensitive to generational differences, especially when I am reading to children and working with millennials and generation Xers. Here are a few resources that might help those of you who work with baby boomer grand parents.

"The Particular Joy of Becoming a Grandparent" by Jim Sollisch in this week's NYTimes is touchingly beautiful.

You also may want to read Becoming Grandma by Leslie Stahl. It, too, paints a beautiful picture of becoming a grandma/dad.

"Still the Most Important People" is an article I wrote as a grand parent back in the spring of 2014 for Independent School magazine.