Boomer parents being judgemental about gig economy income

[Cupofteaandnewspaper]

This is something I’ve noticed with myself but also a close friend. Our parents don’t understand our gig economy incomes and are very against it all, and only encourage us to have one job that’s a salaried thing they understand (e.g. run of the mill admin for a large company they’ve heard of).

I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms, all I get is negativity when I discuss this! I’m doing the safe thing of having a salary and building up on the side, I really see a lot of potential in what I’m doing and I wish my parents could see that it’s paying for various things. All I want is positive encouragement rather than being told it’s a bad idea!

I am feeling really old now as I have no idea what any of this means. Could you explain in English?

All I want is positive encouragement

Nobody gets this unless they deserve it, it’s not a birthright

Your parents obviously don’t think you deserve it.

You need to diversify your portfolio of encouragement streams, I think. Or, grow up and stop relying on your parents’ approval. You sounds convinced of the rectitude of what you’re doing so it shouldn’t be too difficult. Good luck!

@saveforthat

I am feeling really old now as I have no idea what any of this means. Could you explain in English?

She's allergic to actual work.

I don't really understand the problem. You've got a "safe" salary (ie a day job, I assume) while you build the side hustles and you say your bills are all covered. Why does it matter if your parents don't like it? You're secure, what's the issue? What do you want? Why do you need encouragement if it's all going well?

@user1493494961

They probably don't know what you're on about.

Reading this thread, it seems a lot of people donlt know this current fad term, irrespective of boomer, generation a-z etc.

I’ve internalised their critical voices.

You do like a bit of jargon, don't you?

And seriously, you have no room to talk with this whole boomer insult thing. Are you 13?

Don’t really understand what you mean. Portfolio?

Clearly, I’m a boomer.

Do what you need to do though. If it works for you, why does it matter what anyone else thinks?

ok boomer

Also a fan of Karen?

The only person I knew who talked in terms of diversifying portfolio to their parents was a cousin who was desperate for approval. Most adults dont do this. They ask for specific advice like,.I'm buying this house, would you get a full survey?

My kids will hopefully end up with portfolio careers. It basically means freelance. It’s how it is in the industries they are training for.

But they will also work whatever jobs they need to in order to keep themselves.

@MrsTerryPratchett

And if you say "translator" then they think about people at the EU in a little booth translating what Merkle said to Macron.

Isn't that interpretation not translation?

Yes it is. But most people use interpreting and translating interchangeably.

saveforthat it means that she's a wide boy/girl does a little bit of this, a little bit of that, wheelin and a dealin... trying to make bits of money from hobbies, trying to sell things she's created probably and trying to make money from things like blogging or social media... can also include pyramid schemes, soft porn, trying to sell intangibles... Whilst actually living off her boyfriend and income from a part time ordinary, boring job...

The "gig economy" is by definition insecure and fragmentary and obviously never going to be what any parent hopes their offspring will be wholly reliant on to support themselves financially past their mid 20s.

How old are you OP? And have you had a full time job which you stuck at for any significant time?

@Fairyliz

You are clearly so superior to these useless old idiots that you shouldn’t waste your time talking to them. They clearly don’t worship your brilliance

Maybe if they were able to find evidence of the OP's brilliance they would be honoured to prostrate themselves before it!

@Eightiesfan you can show this to your son - his Dad is likely Gen X ! The coolest generation

I need to develop a better sense of myself outside of conversations with family

Oh, your posts do not betray any lack of confidence. But your language is confusing. It’s rather oblique.

Perhaps a good starting point would be to stop making huge generalisations about folk because of their age. Or, to put it another way - stop being so small-minded. You aren’t wiser or smarter just because you are younger. Your parents aren’t stupid, nor are their views incorrect just because they are older

Appreciate people for who they are: don’t disparage them and their views just because of their age.

Everyone can benefit from being more tolerant to others. We never stop learning - from people of all ages.

I need to develop a better sense of myself outside of conversations with family
Again, another 'learned' phrase. You really need to put down the self-help books, OP.

If you are doing well for yourself and not living with them/expecting them to foot your bills, surely it doesn’t matter? Dh quit his salaried job when I was on mat leave with an 8 week old baby. It seems crazy now!

But 9 years later he makes about 5x his previous salary working for himself. So there are options if you’re keen.

Gen X here, dunno what you are on about, but you do you, live your best life etc.

More seriously, stop seeking your parents approval and you'll stop being disappointed. My mum is similar, but I know if comes from a place of her wanting financial security for me and the job market having changed beyond recognition from when she was working.

I’m very into diversifying my income and developing a trickle portfolio through multiple platforms

Oh, you are really going to enjoy your older age!

You're certainly not unreasonable and sound quite enterprising which is to be applauded. I'd never heard of gig economy before :-).

My parents and my in laws believed in having a steady job, both my dad and my father in law were at the same firm from boyhood until retirement. However they had WW2, were grateful to be alive and have a job; job security was everything to them, they didn't take chances.

Your parents are extremely unlikely to be of that generation, probably more mine or younger.

You do what is right for you and don't worry about what your parents think; might be a good idea not to say too much to them about it, talk about other things. They'll see you have a good life and will eventually just accept that things are different now.

Good luck.

PS: I am a 'boomer', have one adult child in forties who is self employed, inventive with a finger in several pies, which I applaud.

I really hate it that some people have allowed "Boomer" to become a slur. I'm a Boomer. For most of my life, it's simply meant someone who was born during the post-WW II baby boom. It only required its slur connotation when baby boomers began to get old. Just another way that ageism has reared its ugly head.

So from your (lack) of information in responses and usual twaddle talk I’m going Only Fans. Leave your parents be if that’s the case.