Childhoods for the Next Generation.

It’s no surprise that society as a whole has been in a downward spiral for quite some time, for whatever reasons the media portrays, the statistics say, or even what Grandma is telling us. It is said that the first 7 years of a child’s life are the most important. Attachment with our caregiver is the most crucial part of childhood development. The brain needs a solid foundation for how we interact and communicate with the world. Obviously, we can’t control every aspect of our child’s well-being, but we can be that trustworthy adult in their life.

The majority of mothers, at this exact time (year 2024), with children between the ages of 0-7 are 20 to 34 years old. This age split is half Millennials (age 27 up) and half Gen Z (age 26 down). Characteristics of the two are similar, but the formative years of the Gen Z have been shaped by a drastically different world. The Millennials are the end of the old society and Gen Z is the start of a new one. Millennials grew up as the digital pioneers, watching the boom of technology, where Gen Zs were born into peak digital innovation, with information at their fingertips and social media everywhere. There are always pros and cons of each generation, but the biggest negative plaquing the Gen Z-ers, is too much screen time - phone, ipad, laptop, you name it. It has led to feelings of isolation and underdeveloped social skills. Of course, technology isn’t the only gamechanger for this generation, but it’s kind of big deal. Gen A is the next generation - currently age 10ish and younger. How do we maximize the social skills of our children in this new technological society?

COMMUNITY.

I’ll say it again… COMMUNITY!

Community is the biggest loss since Gen Z has entered our society as adults. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve noticed that they are quite literally changing every aspect of life - the workplace and education being the top two. One of the biggest characteristics of Gen Z is that they have an insatiable passion for finding purpose. Do you see the connection yet? Ha, pun intended. They are the most connected generation of all time, but feel the most isolated. This would explain why this generation is so hell-bent on constant protests and being heard - they are searching so hard to find their purpose. We can learn so much from the current adults of Gen Z and begin to see a trajectory of what the next society could look like. They are pioneering the new technological world with innovations never thought possible, but are losing the foundation of human connection.

Positive community gives you a sense of purpose. It gives you accountability. It gives you people to turn to. There’s a book written by Thomas L. Friedman, that talks about the accelerations in technology and mother nature that have left families feeling unstable. He compares community to a hurricane, and here in Louisiana, we have our fair share of hurricanes. Community is the eye of that hurricane. In the eye of a hurricane, you can find stability whilst all this change swirls around us.

Chee Chee’s is making it our MISSION to provide the meeting ground for each one of you to find community and start fostering that community in your children. Our parties are just as much about providing a space for ALL family and friends, as it is for being known as a kids playground. Come meet us! We would love to meet you.