I was the first one in our generation, on either side of the family, to announce my pregnancy. From those early weeks of sharing the news, I quickly faced the uphill battle of learning what it truly takes to be a parent: diapers, Pack ‘n Plays, and figuring out when a baby is sick.
But soon enough, they grow up a bit. You find yourself obsessing over which vacuum can handle Cheerios without clogging, training yourself to say “sugar!” instead of something more colorful, and repeating mantras like, “Hands are not for hitting.”
Along this wild ride, I came to realize just how much I love being a parent—not least because the existential challenges are endlessly fascinating. This month’s big question: “Mom, what is a hippie?”
My 5-year-old piped up first, declaring, “It means ‘an old man.’” His 8-year-old brother quickly corrected him: “No, it’s a teenager with long hair…and funny clothes…and…” He stumbled a bit before ultimately asking, “Mom, what is a hippie?”
Here’s where parenting dives into existential territory. Even in their little-boy ways, they sensed something deeper, something socio-political and historical hidden behind that word. They realized there was a story behind the hippie figure in their favorite cartoons—something they couldn’t quite articulate.
I started to explain, but defining a hippie requires understanding the cultural context they were rebelling against. In a world where the boys on my sons’ baseball teams have fashionable moms rather than the grunge of yesteryear, how can they comprehend the significance of a man with long hair and a beard at a time when hair barely brushed one’s collar? Back then, wearing hats was the norm, and my grandmother and mother wouldn’t be caught without their pristine white gloves.
To my kids, hippie imagery is just neon flowers on party cups or peace signs on jeans; they don’t see the reimagined icons of a radical movement striving for a gentler, more natural existence during an age of corporatization and conflict. How do I convey the experience of paper butterflies fluttering above a black-and-white poster of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” in my aunt’s room?
I was neither a hippie nor a child of hippies—my upbringing was distinctly Republican. As a kid, I associated hippies with broken glass scattered around our playground. Yet here I am at 40, navigating life in my SUV with little boys in the back, amazed that we didn’t have to wear seat belts as kids, and reminiscing about avocado green appliances while attempting to recall the allure of rainbows.
Having children has vastly expanded my world—not just in terms of physical space, now filled with high chairs, toy trains, and scattered Legos, but in the way my perspective on the universe has been renewed through their eyes.
Dirt that previously seemed like just a part of the yard is now a treasure to dig up, explore, and categorize in jars. My son’s proud declaration of how he separated soil into layers of grey, tan, and brown is a moment of discovery that fills me with pride. “Look, Mom! I created a rainbow!”
Life is a beautiful mystery, full of surprises, joys, and tragedies. Whether it’s witnessing a breathtaking sunset or a stunning painting, these moments are amplified when shared with someone special. But children find wonder not just on vacations; they uncover magic in the mundane moments of our daily lives. “Look!” they shout, discovering beauty in the simplest things—a common flower, a shiny rock, or even a feather left beside your bed.
In their innocent way, they turn something as seemingly trivial as the word “hippie” into a profound topic for reflection. “What is a hippie?” I began to explain, thinking about how people use their clothing to express their feelings about the world, or perhaps share a glimpse into what it was like to grow up in the ’70s. But just as I was getting wrapped up in the complexities, they burst out laughing.
In their effortless manner, my boys not only add depth and complexity to my life but also demonstrate simplicity. They decided that “hippie” would be their new favorite word for anything odd or different, regardless of whether they fully grasp its meaning.
For more on the journey of parenting and related topics, check out this article. If you’re curious about home insemination, this site has some great resources. And for further information on fertility, Medical News Today is a fantastic resource.
Summary:
The experience of parenthood is filled with existential challenges that surprise and delight. As children grow, they bring new perspectives and a sense of wonder to the world, prompting parents to reflect on deeper meanings hidden in everyday life. From the inquiry about what a “hippie” is to the joy of discovering beauty in the mundane, parenting is a journey that continually expands one’s understanding of life.