If you have tweens or teens, you may sometimes feel like they’re speaking a different language. Honestly, they are. Slang terms change generationally — and, believe me, one year, a word can mean one thing and the next it can mean something completely different. One year, you’re in the know and the next, you’re a Karen! If that last sentence made no sense to you, my point is proven. You almost need a degree in linguistics just to know how to translate your kid’s slang.
There is little that’s more frustrating than sitting in the same room with your teen and having absolutely no idea what they are saying. It happens more often than you’d think. Parents shake their heads in agreement, when actually we have no idea what they’re talking about because the English language is, apparently, a moving target.
I’m here to help. It starts with understanding the concept, breaking the code, and knowing how to translate kid’s slang.
What is slang?
It’s important to know your kid’s language
As parents, it's very important to take the time to educate yourself about common teen slang terms so you can be in the know of the conversations your teen is having online and in person.
“I like to think I’m still relatively young but sometimes when my nieces are telling me a story, I secretly have to Google what they mean because I have no idea,” Melissa Tigu — mom of a tween and aunt to teens — admitted to Mom.com.
Take the time to learn your kid's words so you can join in — or at least understand — the conversation. Slang terms change all the time and the best way to know what your teen and their friends are saying is to keep your ear out for new words and search the internet for what you hear — or maybe even ask your kid.
