Signs You’re Turning into Your Parents: When Did I Become So Uncool?

Watch Out, You’re More Like Mom and Dad Than You Realize

We all fight it, but eventually we have to accept our fate — we’re turning into our parents. From enjoying early bird specials to having back pain, here are the hilarious signs you’re becoming more and more like mom and dad.

I’ve noticed myself slowly turning into my parents over the years. At some point we all realize we’re becoming more like our parents, for better or worse. I used to laugh at my dad’s awful puns. Now I’m the one groaning at my own bad jokes. When did I become so uncool?

You Catch Yourself Saying Things Your Parents Used to Say

The other day I scolded my son for leaving his shoes in the middle of the floor and muttered “This is why we can’t have nice things.” I froze in horror as I realized I had turned into my mother.

Some of the phrases I’ve caught myself saying just like my parents:

• “Don’t make me turn this car around!”
• “Money doesn’t grow on trees!”
• “Because I said so!”
• “What am I, made of money?”

Hearing your parents’ most annoying phrases come out of your mouth is a clear sign that you’re turning into them. Sigh.

You Like Going to Bed Early

As a teenager, I thought my parents were so lame for going to bed at 9pm. Now that I’m older with kids of my own, getting into bed before 10pm sounds amazing. Is there anything better than putting on comfy pajamas and settling in to watch a show before bed? I used to stay up until 2am as a teen. Now I’m yawning by 11pm.

I never thought I’d become such an early bird. When did I stop being the cool night owl?

You Make Dad Jokes

My father loves cheesy puns and bad jokes. As a kid, I’d just groan and roll my eyes. Now as a parent myself, I delight in making my kids cringe with silly dad jokes.

Just the other day I held up a carton of almond milk and asked “What nut is this? An almond? A cashewwwt?” The kids pretended not to know me. But secretly I laughed at my own stupid joke.

Apparently I’m not too cool to resist the urge to make terrible puns. The dad humor is real.

You Value Practical Gifts

I used to scoff at practical birthday presents like socks and sweaters. Now I’m thrilled when I get new dish towels or organizing containers as a gift. Who doesn’t need more tupperware?

One year I got excited over a new toilet brush. A toilet brush! Past me would be so disappointed. But present me was pumped to scrub my toilet better.

You Have Strong Opinions on Napkins

Growing up, I didn’t understand why my parents were so snobby about napkins. Napkins were napkins, right? Who cares if they’re paper or cloth?

Well now I’ve turned into that napkin snob. Cloth napkins just feel fancier and cut down on waste! I even have favorite napkin colors and patterns.

I never predicted I’d have such strong napkin takes. But here we are.

You Care About Stains

Spilling red wine on my shirt used to be no big deal in college. Just throw that stained shirt in with my other laundry and carry on. I didn’t care if my clothes got stained.

But now when I notice a new stain, I’m immediately spraying it with stain remover and scrubbing aggressively. I’ve become my mom, freaking out about stains and treating them ASAP. No more carefree attitude about clothes stains.

You Have Strong Opinions on Towels

Much like napkins, I never understood why my parents were so snobby about towels. Towels are towels, who cares what kind you use after showering?

Welp, now I’ve become that towel snob who only buys the softest, most absorbent towels. And I have favorite colors and strictly divide bath towels from hand towels.

Past me would be shocked at how strongly I feel about the towels in my linen closet. When did I develop such opinions on towels?

You Love Early Bird Specials

Late weekend nights out at bars have been replaced by me seeking out an early bird dinner special at 4pm. There’s nothing more exciting than ordering dinner at the senior citizen price hours before the real dinner rush.

I fully transform into my father as I ask the server, “Are we still in time for the early bird menu?” Getting dinner at 3pm makes me feel like I’m really living life to its fullest.

You Have Back Pain

When my parents complained about their sore backs, I thought they were so old. Now in my 40s, I’m no stranger to throwing my back out doing the most mundane things, like bending over to tie my shoe.

Getting older comes with more aches and pains. I try not to complain too much, but there are definitely mornings when I wake up feeling like the Tin Man until my joints loosen up.

Whoever said 40 is the new 30 was lying.

You Enjoy Reading the Newspaper

As a kid, I saw reading the newspaper as an old person thing to do. Why read the paper when you can go online or watch TV? But now, I look forward to leisurely reading the paper, especially with some coffee in hand.

It’s become part of my Sunday morning routine. There’s something so relaxing about unplugging from my devices and flipping through the newspaper sections at my own pace. It allows me to feel present instead of always jumping to the next thing on my phone.

I’ve come to appreciate the simple joy of reading the paper, just like my dad always did.

You Have Lots of Feelings About Coupons

Coupons used to feel like they were just for the elderly. Now I know the truth — coupons are for everyone! I get so excited when I have a coupon for $1 off my grocery bill. Cha-ching!

I’ve turned into an old man with a coupon organizer stuffed full. My kids are embarrassed by my extreme couponing. But I’m proud to embrace it. Saving money rules!

You Go to Bed When It’s Still Light Out

During summer as a kid, I thought it was crazy that my parents went to bed while it was still light outside. The sun hadn’t even set yet — how could they call it a night so early?!

Now I have no problem heading to bed while the sky is still bright in the summer. In fact, I love it — it makes me feel like I’m extra on top of my sleep schedule. The moment that sun starts setting late, I’m heading to bed.

While my kids are begging to stay up late and play, I’m already cozied up in bed by 9pm basking in the summer sunlight through my blinds.

You Look Forward to Mowing the Lawn

Mowing the lawn used to feel like the ultimate dull chore. Now I actually look forward to it. There’s something so peaceful about getting on my riding mower with a drink in the cup holder and taking care of my lawn.

It’s become an enjoyable Saturday routine where I can relax and enjoy the sunshine. My kids think I’m crazy for volunteering to mow each week. But it’s my time to clear my head and appreciate my yard.

You Have Backups of Your Backups

How many old VHS tapes and photo albums did my parents really need? Their dedication to backing up their backups seemed excessive.

But now I totally get it. I have files saved on my computer, backed up on an external hard drive, uploaded to the cloud…and I still get anxious about losing data.

You can never be too careful. My kids laugh at how many copies of our old family photos and videos I have meticulously saved. But when technology fails, my backups will save the memories!

You Hoard Plastic Bags

Saving plastic bags used to perplex me as a kid. My parents had a whole drawer stuffed full of old grocery bags. Why did they need to hang onto so many? Were they preparing for a plastic bag shortage?

Well now I’ve become that person with a plastic bag ball that takes up half my kitchen cabinet. But they come in handy! You never know when you’ll need a little plastic bag to throw lunch in or organize small items.

It’s better to have the bags and not need them than need them and not have them. My inner plastic bag hoarder has been unleashed.

You Look Forward to Going to Home Goods

When I was younger, I saw home goods stores as dusty, cluttered places that only retirees would enjoy perusing. Oh how wrong I was.

Now I leap at any chance to wander the aisles of HomeGoods and browse their endless tchotchkes. It’s just so satisfying looking at all their utensils and knick knacks. I always leave with at least one decorative spoon or new kitchen towel.

Don’t even get me started on TJMaxx and Marshall’s. Going to home goods stores is my new favorite hobby. Move over, clubbing — home goods is where it’s at!

You Have Lots of Feelings About Organizing Containers

Tupperware, pyrex, ziplocks — as a kid I took organizing containers for granted. Now I have LOTS of opinions on plastic food storage and which containers are superior.

My cabinet is meticulously organized with containers for every use — big ones for leftovers, skinny ones for freezer storage, divided ones for snacking. And don’t even think about using the wrong lid on a container!

I’ve become my mom with an Encyclopedia Brown level attention to Tupperware detail. The right container for every job is crucial.

Embrace the Journey

The transition to becoming more and more like my parents has snuck up on me over the years. From enjoying early bird specials to having back pain, the signs are undeniable. We all fight it at first, but eventually we have to accept our fate.

While some view it as becoming uncool and lame, I’ve learned to embrace turning into my parents. Maybe their practical gifts, stain removing tricks, and coupon usage were cool all along. I was just too young to notice.

The bottom line is parents have more wisdom than we acknowledge in our youth. So I’ll proudly wear my dad uniform of socks with sandals and keep telling bad jokes. After all, the key to staying young is having a young spirit, not young knees or eyes. I may go to bed at 9pm, but that just means I wake up with more energy to take on the day!

Now I wonder which parental qualities my own kids will take on someday…

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