How to Reason With a Hipster
Children go through tremendous physical and emotional changes during adolescence, and trying on different identities is par for the course. Teenagers have always rolled their eyes at their parents, but hipster teens can turn being disaffected into an art form. Being a hipster can mean viewing practically everything with a sense of detached irony, which means attempts to reason with them may be met with a severe case of "who cares?" Reasoning with a hipster means breaking through the too-cool barrier to your child's authentic heart and soul.
Instructions
Remind your child of the interests that once excited him, as it's hard to talk authentically about anything with someone impressed by nothing. Instill a sense of wonder by challenging your child's imagination. For example, if she once loved the cello but became too cool once she discovered hipster music, take her to a chamber concert. Not only will you get to spend one-on-one time with her, you'll remind her of what's possible when people feel passionate about something. Separate him from his friends -- including by text and social media -- when you need to have a meaningful conversation. Being too cool for school is largely an effort to fit in with disaffected peers, who often tease kids for being nerds. When you go somewhere your hipster child's friends are unlikely to be, he's more likely to open up. Offer to take her and her friends to hear a favorite band -- dropping them off well away from the venue, of course -- if she'll hear you out and offer her authentic opinion on what you have to say. Stress the importance of compassion and authenticity, and ask your child to accompany you to a volunteer job or activist event. If you have to offer the use of your car, an extended curfew or a monetary bribe, do it. Afterward, tell your child that you are modeling the behavior you want to see. Tell him you expect compassion from him, both in his interactions with you and the rest of the world. Engage in spiritual pursuits together and discuss them afterward. This doesn't have to be church -- it can also be yoga, meditation or camping under the stars. Getting your child into a contemplative mode can help her talk about phenomena bigger than herself, and therefore be more willing to listen to differing opinions, values and reason.