About Gen X Girls: 

Hi,

I'm Erin Mantz, a Gen X girl, and Founder and Editor of this "Gen X Girls Grow Up" blog and the growing Gen X Girl Facebook page and community at www.facebook.com/GenXBlog. We celebrate the Gen X spirit and traits that sets us, the smallest generation, apart. Small, but mighty!

I am a writer, communications professional and working mom of two teenage sons (and one Cocker Spaniel, age five). 

My work has been published in The Washington Post, Chicken Soup for the Soul Parenting, Huffington Post, Washington Parent Magazine, New York Post,  and more. I served as Editor-at-Large for Washington Parent magazine and appeared on NBC News 4 in Washington, DC. I'm also the Editor of the book Hey, Who's In My House? Stepkids Speak Out (Motivational Press 2015). 

I attended the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, was born and raised in Chicago's West Rogers Park neighborhood, and attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, IL.

​

I loved growing up in the 80's. I don't think we should be referred to as the "Slacker Generation." I am proud to have been a latchkey kid. And I refuse to let our generation be treated like a "neglected middle child." We've heard all of this. We're doing just fine. Even if we still haven't found what we're looking for...(Thank you, Bono, for giving us the #BestU2Years).

​

Erin

Check out the latest Gen X Girls Grow Up appearances & coverage:

• Letter to the Editor in NBC News "THINK" newsletter - June 5, 2021

• Interview on The Gen X Joe Show Podcast! Fun times chatting about everything '80s! Scroll down to "Episode 10 Erin Mantz"- February 2021 

• In the spotlight with skincare & SeeMe Beauty - "SeeMe Soar" May 2021

​

Gen X Girls is not about:  

• Millennial-bashing (we need and can learn from one another!)

• Just parenting or being moms (while that's a HUGE part of our identities - for many of us - we are are more than that.)

• Complaining without pondering how to make things better