Generation X Dad?

Babydaddy falls into the category of not really being a true Generation X-er, but definitely missed that cut off.  Is he a child of the 80's or 90's.  Of course more of his formative years were a part of the 90's, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have the appreciation of all things 80's, especially from '85 and beyond.

This article, Gen-X Parents "R" Us, is a comprehensive look at how marketers/ad companies have targeted the Gen X parents.  Some of it was definitely things Babydaddy could related to, and yes he thinks it's fairly normal that each generation tries to compensate for things that were unfulfilled or wrong that their parents did.  Of course the tendency is for the next generation to act in the extreme opposite of their own childhood, which creates it's own multi-generational issues.  So what do parents do?

Babydaddy believe in this informed society we live in and where we can analyze and document the changes of times, it's important to find the balance btwn the past and present.  Does babydaddy wish he had a Jordans while growing up, definitely.  Does that mean babyboy needs his Jordans for preschool? NO.  Babydaddy had a mix of handy me downs, and very few "cool" clothes, does that mean that every outfit that Babygirl wears needs to come from HM kids? NO.  As the article states, many in our generation have added simple luxuries into our lives that we believe are non-negotiables, such as premium organic coffee, furniture from Crate and Barrel, Coach purse, Ed Hardy t-shirts, smartphones w/data plans, etc., and the hope is that as parents various innocuous luxury items will be a part of the child rearing life.  Such as child and parent will always resort back to Nickelodeon as the goto channel for entertainment, or New Balance will be the default shoe of choice due to comfort, Sesame characters, or your child will be a member of Red Sox Nation.

Babydaddy and Babymama are equally guilty of our fair share of luxury items, basic cable w/HD+ DVR, granite counter tops, etc.  At the same time Babydaddy feels that btwn Babymama and him,  they can find the balance where Babygirl and Babyboy aren't totally enslaved to Madison Ave and corporate branding, and overly indulging in capitalism.

Have any parents noticed various consumer traps they've fallen into.  Has anyone decided to buy a Toyota Sienna cuz the hipster parents on the commercials make it look acceptable?

one of Babydaddy's fav images/toys of the 80's