This Grandma took the time to learn “the whip” and the “nae, nae,” the new dances that our preteen and teenaged grandchildren are doing. You too, can learn these dances. Look at the post: The Stroll from Boomer Grandma’s Era and the Electric Slide and Macarena from the Era of Their Parents Has Become the Whip for Our Grandchildren.
I finally had an opportunity to dance these with the grandchildren at a small family celebration and am excited that they did not laugh when I danced these new concoctions. Yes, concoction is an appropriate word, as much of the dances were created while the performers were in a car! And our grandchildren think our era music is strange.
The oldest grandson, almost age thirteen, had an opportunity to spend time at Grandma and Grandpa’s table at the celebration and got to know two sets of our close long (we never say old) friends. The Mother of the grandchild came over and said that our oldest grandson was happy to meet and get to know our “squad.”
To this Boomer Grandma the word squad has a specific definition. Now, I have heard the term used differently than my understanding of the definition. Twice in as many days, its use and meaning among our grandchildren has changed mine. Wikipedia still has our generation’s version of the definition of the word, but to remain current and relevant, I guess, we must start looking at The Urban Dictionary to understand our grandchildren.
According to the Urban Dictionary, squad means:
“Crew, posse, gang: an informal group of individuals with a common identity and a sense of solidarity. The term is a bit flashy and is more likely to be heard in hip-hop lyrics than in spoken conversation.”
This Grandma now knows where the term originated, but Urban Dictionary must update its definition. Our grandchildren and others ARE using the term in spoken conversation. .
often.
In the New York Times, May 17, 2016, in “Mother and Child: On Tallulah Willis’s Instagram Social Capital,” Hayley Krischer, the author, wrote:
“It’s heartwarming that as a 22-year-old, Willis publicly describes her mom as a member of her “squad.” Society tells young adults to stand apart from their parents – not on top of them, or with arms draped around them as they carry on a conversation – in order to establish their individuality. But Willis rejects this, emphasizing her admiration and appreciation for her mother. It’s what makes her and Moore a sweet mother-daughter duo: the two of them against the gossip blogs, the critics and the TMZs of the world, shielding each other with their glittering couture wardrobes and silly poses. Willis probably gains strength from her mother, the two learning from each other in their addiction struggles, propping each other up.”
Apparently, it is a good thing to have a squad.
Better is that your grandchild likes your squad.
Best is that your grandchild considers Grandma as a member of his or her squad. Relating to a grandchild and allowing the worlds to appreciate and understand each other’s language is pure
Joy,
Mema
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