Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X & Boomers Have Very Different Ideas Of What Parents Should Do With A Sick Kid
Harbucks / Shutterstock Parents want their kids to feel better when they get sick, but they might handle it differently depending on how they were raised and if they thought their own parents handled their illnesses well growing up.
Some parents may immediately call the doctor, while others find a thermometer and a bit of patience, waiting to see if they really need to do more.
Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, and boomers all have their own ideas of what parents should do with a sick kid.
Boomers believe in keeping things simple when it comes to a child who is feeling under the weather.
Baby boomers think a little soup, plenty of sleep, a good TV show, and some extra blankets are the perfect recipe to get them feeling better. They may be less likely to rush to the doctor for every cough or sniffle, especially if they came from a household where most minor illnesses were treated at home.
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Of course, they do still worry when a kid gets sick. However, they tend to trust the remedies and parenting habits they grew up with. All kids may need is a chance to rest and recover without too much fuss. Unless something is seriously wrong, they might wait it out a bit before they reach for medication.
Gen Xers take a pretty no-nonsense approach to caring for a sick kid.
When a child is sick, Gen X's initial steps might be to check for a fever and decide whether staying home from school is really necessary. They were raised learning how to take care of themselves, so they may encourage their kids to listen to their bodies while still expecting them to handle a little discomfort.
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This generation tends to balance old-school remedies with modern medical advice. They'll stick to the regular cold medicine at first, but won't hesitate to call the doctor if something feels off.
Millennials are quick to do research when a child falls ill.
Looking up symptoms online is totally normal for millennials with a sick kid. They might search for answers and read up on the latest medical news before making any decisions. They may also feel more comfortable asking questions or getting advice from a pediatrician than relying on their own instincts and knowledge.
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More so than other generations, they consider the emotional side of being sick. Having a cozy day at home with extra cuddles can be just as crucial to recovery as rest and medicine. Millennial parents want their kids to feel safe and cared for, and they're usually happy to cancel plans to give them the attention they need.
Gen Z tends to rely on outside resources when a kid gets sick.
Being tech-savvy can pay off when a Gen Z parent's child gets sick. They might use a symptom-tracking app or watch videos from a pediatrician on TikTok. Or, they might reach out to parenting community forums and get advice from other parents.
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They're big on taking their child's feelings seriously and making them feel validated, no matter how small the problem is. They may be more intentional about making sure a sick child doesn't feel like an inconvenience. To them, resting is okay, and asking for help doesn't mean they're dramatic.
Kayla Asbach is a writer with a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. She covers relationships, psychology, self-help, pop culture, and human interest topics.
