I Was Shocked When My Child Said I Won’t Work Unless...

I had a brutally honest conversation with my son Darius the other day about generational differences, and let me tell you—this topic has been sitting heavy on my mind ever since. After living on this earth for over 50 years, there are things I just feel the need to say, straight-up, about how Gen Z approaches work and life.

When Darius told me he wanted to be paid for arriving 20 minutes early to work, I couldn’t believe my ears. In our generation—Gen X—showing up 10 to 15 minutes early was just part of being professional. It’s what you do. But today’s generation sees that differently—they want to be compensated for every single minute, even if it’s just prep time.

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Now, I get it. Gen Z is facing challenges we didn’t. Prices are out of control. I’ll admit that. Back when I was 24, it was a lot easier financially. You could buy a house for 2-3 times your annual salary—now that sounds like a fantasy. But what frustrates me is the attitude. Instead of finding solutions, so many young people today spend their energy complaining—and blaming the older generation.

Darius and others his age say we "messed up the world" and lived the good life while leaving them a mess. But they don’t realize that we went through our own ups and downs, too. The difference? We didn’t sit around pointing fingers—we worked through it.

One big problem I see with Gen Z is how they view certain jobs as “beneath them.” They won’t touch a $20-an-hour gig. They want six-figure salaries right away. Darius flat-out told me he wouldn’t do a 9-to-5 job unless it pays $100,000 a year. And that’s the issue—they want to start at the top, instead of climbing the mountain like we had to.

Let me tell you—Gen X can run circles around Gen Z when it comes to work ethic. We were raised to hustle. We were taught that life is full of ups and downs, and you’ve got to learn how to ride the wave. But Gen Z? Many of them want the shortcut. They don’t want the struggle.

Another thing: Gen Z often struggles with authority. If a manager tells them to do something, they snap back. They argue. What they don’t understand is that sometimes, in the workplace, you’ve got to listen, even if you don’t like it. That’s how you grow. I’ve heard wild stories from managers about how difficult it is to deal with Gen Z workers—disrespectful, taking longer breaks, always with an attitude.

Now don’t get me wrong—I’m not here just to bash. The financial pressure on Gen Z is real. I’ve looked at the price charts—like eggs, for example. From $2 a dozen to $4 or $5, even though production hasn’t changed much. Companies are taking advantage of the situation. It’s not just eggs—it’s everything. Brands like Hershey have admitted in internal calls that they could raise prices beyond actual costs, and consumers would still buy.

This world is quickly becoming two classes: rich and poor. The middle class is fading. And even celebrities in Hollywood are struggling financially. So yes, I understand Gen Z’s frustration. But what I can’t support is complaining without action.

I’ve lived long enough to know life is always throwing challenges your way. When we were young, we had it rough too—but we didn’t sit around blaming others. We worked—sometimes three, four, even six jobs—because that’s what it took. My husband and I? Hard work is in our b-l*o-o-d.

So to Gen Z, I say this: Instead of focusing on what the previous generation did, focus on what you can do now. You’re young. You’ve got energy. This is the best time in your life to grind and invest in your future. Pick up side hustles—Uber Eats, DoorDash, Uber—there are so many ways to make extra money. If you’re still living with your parents, use that time to save, invest in real estate, and educate yourself about finances.

I believe this generation has more opportunity than ever with the rise of social media, AI, and technology. There are income streams now that didn’t even exist when we were growing up. But what’s important is your mindset. Your attitude. Don’t think you’re entitled to everything from day one—work for it. Build it.

At the end of the day, life is what you make it. We all have the same 24 hours. The difference is how we choose to spend those hours. You can spend them complaining—or you can spend them changing your life. That’s a lesson 50 years on this earth has taught me, and I hope Gen Z can hear that message and carry it forward.