GEN X GIRLS GROW UP
So, some of us still haven't found what we're looking for...
Who is Generation X?
We are sandwiched between 80 million baby boomers and 78 million Millennials. Born between 1965 and 1980, we have just
46 million members. Small, but mighty!
FOLLOW THE GEN X GIRLS FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DAILY POSTS, FUN CONVERSATIONS,
AND SURPRISE GIVEAWAYS!
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Erin Mantz
- Mar 8
- 3 min
Are The Gen X Kids Still Alright?
It's been a year, people. When coronavirus became real last March, it cast a spotlight on the strength and resiliency of Generation X. That was great for our generation - well-deserved! Overdue! Articles and news stories celebrated how we were raised in times that set us up for successfully weathering something like a pandemic storm. Experts and bloggers touted our adaptability and independence, and our ability to fill hours upon hours finding something to do. Gen X was the p
647 views
Erin Mantz
- Dec 26, 2020
- 2 min
Overlooked Again, Now Aging, Too? Generation X “Girls” in Pandemic Times
The coronavirus cast a spotlight on the strength and resiliency of Generation X. That is great! Well-deserved. Overdue. Articles and news stories have celebrated our adaptability and independence, and our ability to fill hours upon hours finding something to do. But these quarantined times have been challenging for us in other, sneakier ways. 2020 reminded us that we “middle children” are truly in a period of aging. Midlife is marked by several exclamation points now, as we r
497 views
Erin Mantz
- Oct 21, 2020
- 1 min
It's "What Ever Happened To...? Wednesday!
"What Ever Happened To...?" is a new weekly look at some of our favorite people from our Gen X growing up years. This week: Kristy McNichol and the cast of the television program "Family." Who DIDN'T love Kristy McNichol in "Family" and "Little Darlings?" I remember watching "Family" with my mom, so I was surprised to read the show ran from 1976 - 1979. I was awfully young (six to nine)!) to be watching that, I think. Alcholism, adoption. Oh well. We were Generation X, though
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Erin Mantz
- Oct 12, 2020
- 4 min
Please Tell Me There’s Still a “Mischief Night”
It’s been hard to hold on to the traditions and times of our GenX childhoods. Case in point: Halloween. And, let’s face it – the Generation X version of Halloween disappeared long before COVID hit. We may want to blame the pandemic as we pine away for the 70's and 80's, but I noticed they were gone years ago. Most kids today have never even heard of “Mischief Night.” In 1982 in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood, all 12-year olds I knew – including me, as well as younger
77 views
Erin Mantz
- Sep 17, 2020
- 2 min
I'd like to have a few words with "courtney" - the #80's American Girl
Dear Courtney, 1986 WAS a great year! Leg warmers kept us cozy. Playing games like PAC-MAN was fun, and an easy distraction from the real world. We were all about surrounding ourselves with bright and upbeat colors - everything from our clothes to our bedroom walls - hot pinks, sky blues and purples - reflecting a happy and hopeful time. Like you, we had bold and bright ideas - about upcoming Saturday nights at the roller rink or parties. About the future - maybe marriage, ki
164 views
Erin Mantz
- Sep 9, 2020
- 2 min
biography's "i want my mtv" - review & random thoughts
I was excited to watch Biography's "I Want My MTV" show on A&E last night, knowing it would revisit the original MTV VJs. It did not disappoint, and offered a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the whole MTV concept, name, logo, business, struggle and success evolved. Here are five things I took away: 1. First, I’m proud of my #GenX self for figuring out how to find a way/channel/streaming service/something to actually watch the program. An hour before, I was Googling
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Erin Mantz
- Sep 7, 2020
- 1 min
How #GenX Are you?
How #GenX are you? Give yourself 1 point for each "yes" you did growing up: * Saw at least three John Hughes movies.
* Passed a note to a friend between or during classes.
* Wore leg warmers or a Flashdance sweatshirt.
* Made a cassette tape.
* Knew the lyrics to at least three Madonna songs.
* Had a poster of Rob Lowe, Matt Dillon, or Ralph Macchio.
* Read a Tiger Beat magazine.
* Read at least three Judy Blume books.
* Learned about growing up from Judy Blume books.
* Drove
100 views
Erin Mantz
- Aug 28, 2020
- 1 min
if you missed our august 27 "facebook live"
You can view it on Facebook here! We had such fun talking about Rob Lowe, Playa Bowls and tipping, Trapper Keepers and "back to school," the original MTV VJs, Peloton, drinking Truly Hard Seltzer and White Claw like a #GenZ-er, and more. #GenerationX #GenX #80s #Eighties #RobLowe #PlayaBowls #WhiteClaw #Truly #MTV
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Erin Mantz
- Aug 24, 2020
- 1 min
Gen X Girls "Facebook Live" Aug. 27
Show your GenX spirit! Join us at 8pm ET this Thursday, August 27, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GenXBlog! Join me, Erin Wechsler Mantz and my show co-host Julia Sherwin as we talk about the latest buzz worthy topics in pop culture, reminisce about life growing up as #GenerationX in the #80s and early #90s and more! We'll talk about tipping; Blockbuster memories; Rob Lowe; if the new #DirtyDancing movie has to happen, what should it be like; #GenZ (which includes o
20 views
Erin Mantz
- Aug 11, 2020
- 4 min
Q&A With "Stuck in the '80s"
What was it like to set sail on The 80s Cruise? I virtually “sat down” with Stuck in the ’80s podcast co-host Steve Spears to find out. He and Brad Williams have a podcast devoted to our favorite decade’s movies, music and pop culture. Read on to hear how they celebrated their 500th episode on The 80s Cruise! Erin: Your podcast just celebrated 15 years! What do you hope it’s accomplishing? Steve: It's really amazing that we've made it to 15 years. I honestly never expected th
22 views
Erin Mantz
- Aug 2, 2020
- 1 min
Wait - What? Gen X, Please Take This Millennial Food Chart test!
Thank goodness I only scored a 3. I am definitely Gen X. Growing up in the 70s/80s, didn't we just grab a Lender's bagel out of the freezer, or a Hostess Ding Dong from the pantry? If you can stop laughing long enough to finish this, let me know your score. #GenerationX #GenX #Millennial #80s #Eighties
58 views
Erin Mantz
- Jul 31, 2020
- 1 min
Go-Go's release first new song in 19 years!
They've still got the beat. "Club Zero" will bring you back to the eighties, Generation X! I love it and knew it was them within the first few beats. Listen here. I went to that link and clicked the YouTubeMusic option - easy. #GoGos #GoGosDay #ClubZero #GenerationX #GenX #80s #Eighties
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Erin Mantz
- Jul 28, 2020
- 2 min
Book Review: #EXTRAOrdinary: Ride the Waves
#EXTRAOrdinary is a book that will have you nodding in agreement, laughing to yourself, and relaxing – and Generation X needs that right now. Authors and friends Lisa Shaffner Sohn and Carleen Matts-Behrends (Wise Ink Creative Publishing, 2019) take readers on a fun ride of life growing up as GenXers and contemplate – in the most fun and real ways possible – life now at middle age. In fact, the first question they pose is “What do you think of when you contemplate aging and b
41 views
Erin Mantz
- Jul 22, 2020
- 1 min
if you missed gen x girls live on july 21, watch now!
You can view it at the top of our Gen X Girls Grow Up Facebook page now. Live Aid memories, Andrew McCarthy's upcoming book, actually finding time to take care of ourselves since we are home more in coronavirus times (exercise! face masks! tv shows that help us escape or relax!), Dirty John/Betty Broderick 80s fashion (oh my!) and more. Be sure to follow and like on Facebook; we'll post our August date soon. Hope you can join! #GenerationX #GenX #GenXGirls #80s #Eighties
19 views
Erin Mantz
- Jul 2, 2020
- 1 min
If you Missed our first Facebook Live on July 1...
You can watch it here! What are #GenerationX women talking about? #80s movies, music, clothes, crushes & memories. Tried not to talk about coronavirus. And the first ones to comment won one of our hats! Stay tuned for our next July date here. #GenerationX #GenX #80s
19 views
Erin Mantz
- Aug 13, 2018
- 3 min
Guest Blog Post: Gretchen Hendricks on The High School Reunion - Should I Stay or Should I Go?
When word began to spread on the interwebs about my 30-year high school reunion, I admit it: I felt underwhelmed by the prospect. I was not impressed with my social media blast invitation, or the outdoor beach shack venue - smack in the middle of Washington, DC’s late June humidity. The one drink ticket (would not be nearly enough) and buffet (gag me with a spoon) didn’t tempt me either. It just seemed bunk – like not cool and totally boring. Just like any good high school pa
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Don't miss my Huffington Post pieces on Generation X: