If you frequently find yourself saying certain phrases that leave your children staring blankly at you or rolling their eyes in disbelief, it’s likely you’re an ’80s kid now embracing the role of a misunderstood parent.
- “What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”
Whenever your child shares something utterly unbelievable, you can’t help but channel your inner Gary Coleman. - “Just don’t get them wet!”
While your little one might not transform into a mischievous Gremlin during bath time, the memories of childhood certainly flood back. - “And don’t you dare call me Shirley.”
Though my kids insist they’ve never called me Shirley, I can’t resist quoting this classic line whenever they say “surely.” - “Look, he likes it! Mikey likes it!”
If you’ve ever exclaimed this when your picky eater tries something outside of their usual deep-fried options, you must be over 30. - “Please don’t mix Pop Rocks with soda.”
You want to protect your kids from the same fate as poor Mikey, who famously suffered from this combination. - “Ooh, my nose!”
I often shout this before checking to see if the child is alright after an accidental collision. Mother of the Year, right here! - “Mom always said, ‘No playing ball in the house!’”
This Brady Bunch reference gives your kids just enough time to flee before you explode over the shattered antique vase. - “De Plane! De Plane!”
This is a cherished tradition as we arrive at our destination, a nod to Fantasy Island, a show that terrified many of us as kids. - “You can’t really dust for vomit.”
Thanks to This Is Spinal Tap, we can find humor in the chaos of parenting, even when it involves a lot of mess. - “They’re hee-eere.”
This phrase is usually uttered when family arrives for dinner, not in connection with any supernatural happenings. - “24 hours a day. 7 days a week. In stereo.”
An early MTV slogan that perfectly describes the constant chaos of raising babies and squabbling toddlers. - “I’ll be back.”
Always delivered in a faux Austrian accent, usually directed at the other parent stuck with a crying child suffering from separation anxiety. - “Where is my AUTO-MO-BILE?”
Without missing a beat, my partner immediately responds with “AUTO-MO-BILE??” This Sixteen Candles quote is a go-to when searching for the car in a crowded parking lot.
Though our kids may laugh at us, there’s a shared understanding among parents in their forties. After all, who wouldn’t relish a little nostalgia mixed with the trials of modern parenting? If you’re looking for advice on how to navigate parenthood, check out this at-home insemination kit for some great resources. And for those curious about hormonal methods, this site provides valuable insights. Additionally, American Pregnancy is an excellent source of information on donor insemination.
Summary:
This article humorously highlights how the phrases and references from the ’80s can showcase the generational gap in parenting today. From iconic movie quotes to classic TV references, these signs prove that being an ’80s child significantly shapes the experience of modern parenthood.