Trying to Parent in a Language I Don’t Understand 

My son said “W Rizz” the other day and I just… blinked. 

I stared at him like I was buffering. 

Not because I was offended — but because I genuinely didn’t know if I’d just been complimented… or challenged to a duel. 

This happens a lot lately. 

I used to feel fluent in my kids. 
When they were little, I knew every cry, every pause, every version of “Daaaad.” 
Now? 

Now I get texts like: 
“nah that’s mid, fr.” 
Or just a skull emoji. ☠️ 
Which I think means something was funny? Or maybe it died? 
I don’t know. 

What I do know is… I want to keep up. 
Not to be “cool.” 
But to be close. 

The Distance No One Talks About 

No one tells you that your kids can be two feet away and still feel far. 
It’s not about eye contact — it’s about emotional fluency. 
And lately, I’ve felt like I’m parenting with subtitles turned off. 

I want to ask the right questions… but I don’t want to push. 
I want to be there… but not hover. 
I want to connect… but not copy. 

So I’ve stopped trying to speak like them. 
And started trying to speak to them. 

What’s Working (Sometimes) 

• I stopped correcting their slang mid-sentence. 
  (Turns out, they stop talking when you go “what does that mean?” every 6 words.) 
   

• I ask for help without shame. 
  “Hey, I keep hearing ‘delulu’ — can you explain it to me like I’m 6?” 
  It usually ends in laughter. And a 3-minute breakdown. Which is… connection. 
   

• I pay attention to the tone, not just the words. 
  “I’m good” can mean 5 different things. 
  The shrug, the silence, the fake laugh — those are the real clues. 
   

• I let them teach me. 
  And I thank them for it. 
  Because when your kid takes the time to explain a meme or slang term, they’re not just teaching language — they’re offering trust. 
   

What I’m Still Learning 

That I won’t always understand their world. 
But I can choose to stay curious. 
I can choose to be kind. 
I can choose to stay nearby — even when I don’t know what to say. 

Because being a dad to Gen Alpha isn’t about decoding every phrase or fitting into their group chat. 

It’s about showing up — even when you feel like the outdated software in the room. 

And honestly? 
If the only words they hear from me some days are: 
“I’m proud of you.” 
or 
“I’m here if you need me.” 
Then maybe I’m doing okay. 

Even if I still have no idea what “gyatt” means. 

A Note to Fellow Parents: 

You don’t have to speak their slang. 
You don’t have to speak perfectly. 

Just keep speaking with love. 
Keep listening without judgment. 
And when all else fails… 
Offer snacks. That usually works. 

We’re all learning new languages in this parenting thing — 
but if you lead with presence over perfection, 
you’re already doing better than you think. 

P.S. I may not speak Gen Alpha, but I speak fluent love, dad jokes, and problem-solving at 10pm. 
Still hoping that translates.