Are you a "Gen X" mom? You might be surprised to learn the answer: Basically, if you're a mother who's over 35 and under 50 — born after the Baby Boomers and before the Millennials — then yup, you're a member of Generation X. We all know the stereotypes associated with this demographic (disenfranchised slackers with a tendency toward existential identity crises and a lack of respect for authority), but what are our kids really in for?
Studies (and anecdotal evidence) show that Gen X moms are definitely a breed of their own, which means someday our kids will totally bond over our many shared quirks, just like we rehashed our mothers' parenting styles with our friends ("So, your mom just sat around smoking and drinking Tab while you roamed the neighborhood until dark too?!").
Besides your birthday, here are 20 ways to tell you're a bona fide Gen X mom.
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You're a Cool Mom, Not a Regular Mom
Sure, you still pack lunches and drive your kids to soccer practice, but your go-to baby shower gift is a Ramones onesie and you'd never dream of covering up your tattoos.
You're Serious About Star Wars
Your kids only recognize the original Star Wars movies as "real," because that's how you've trained them. (Jar Jar who?!) (Okay, but Rey is pretty cool.)
You Think It's Cool for Moms to Work
You're either a working mom or believe it's totally fine to be a working mom. (Obviously!)
More from CafeMom: 15 Things Every '80s Kid Grew Up With, But Our Kids Can't Identify
Your Husband Helps With the Kids
Anyone who walks into your house is just as likely to find your husband changing a diaper as they are to find you doing the deed. Hello, that's half his kid!
You Want Your Daughter to Date Lloyd Dobler
Your definition of a romantic gesture will forever remain the image of Lloyd Dobler holding a boombox in the air in Say Anything — and you expect your daughter's boyfriend to live up to that standard.
More from CafeMom: 27 Normal Things Every '80s Kid Did in School That Would Never Fly Today
Your Kids Know Nirvana
The anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death is an official day of mourning in your house, and your kids know all the words to "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
You Raid Your Kid's Bookshelf
You saved all your Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley High books for your kid and you read them when she's not around.
You Get Weird About Wahlbergs
It drives your kids nuts when you refer to Mark Wahlberg as "Donnie's little brother" — or worse, "Marky Mark."
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Your Catchphrases Are Hopelessly Retro
When your kids are driving you nuts, you find yourself screaming "Calgon, take me away!"
You Had "Rainbow Hair" Before It Was a Thing
When your child asks if you ever dyed your hair blue or purple, you just roll your eyes and say, "Let me tell you about a little something called Manic Panic."
Your Mom & Dad Aren't Typical Grandparents
A lot of us Gen X-ers have former hippies for parents, so … you do the math. Your mom still bakes brownies like a grandma, it's just that the kids can't have any.
More from CafeMom: 12 Classes You Took in the '80s Your Kids Will Never Hear Of (PHOTOS)
Conjunction Junction Is Still Your Function
When your kid has a question about grammar you find yourself thinking back to episodes of Schoolhouse Rock. (Also the inner workings of Capitol Hill.)
You Use Teen Movies to Teach Parenting Lessons
You firmly believe the best way to prepare your kid for high school is by making him or her watch The Breakfast Club, Heathers, and/or Sixteen Candles.
You Play With Your Kid's Toys to Feel Young Again
You bought your kid a Snoopy Sno Cone machine because you secretly want to use it yourself (and an Easy Bake Oven, and a Lite Brite).
More from CafeMom: 16 Fond Memories of School in the '80s We Wish Our Kids Could Understand (PHOTOS)
You're Scientifically Behind the Times
When you're checking science homework, you keep having to ask your kid, "Wait, so Pluto isn't a planet?" (Why oh why does everything have to change?!)
Everybody In Your Family Owns at Least One Pair of Converse
The perfect all-season shoe for every age! Plus it comes in literally every color imaginable (even if the black one-stars are still your fave).
Your Childhood Faves Don't Always Fly With Your Kids
You've been trying to push "Free to Be You and Me" on your kids for years (but they just don't get it). They don't know what they're missing!
More from CafeMom: 10 Child Stars from the '90s: Where Are They Now? (PHOTOS)
Your Role Models Are TV Parents
When you're having a parenting crisis, you ask yourself what the mom and dad on Growing Pains and/or Family Ties would do. Problem solved in 30 minutes or less!
You Have Conflicting Feelings About Tom Cruise
You spent most of your adolescence crushing hard on Tom Cruise, but ever since he slammed Brooke Shields for treating her postpartum depression (well, and did a ton of other weird stuff too) you've been mostly turned off. Except he's looking pretty good in that new Jack Reacher trailer …
You Remember When MTV Was About Music
You love telling your kids how back in the day, MTV actually played music videos. It wasn't always just pregnant teens!!
