Happy Millennial Mother's Day!

As the mother of two Millennials (girls, ages 4 1/2 and 7), I can tell you that it's good work if you can get it.

Although I've heard the stories of "helicopter parents" -- usually some tale of inappropriate parental involvement told with disdain -- the reality can be very touching. For example, I was privileged to be at Seton Hall around Valentine's Day for Prof. Paula Franzese's "Loving the Law" celebration with her Property students. On that day, students, professors, and guests celebrated their love affair with the law and their love for those who love the law.

Students invited honored guests from their lives, often parents. I watched as parents flanked their law student children proudly. The law students gave touching homages to the parents who had inspired and supported them in their pursuit of a legal career. Parents spoke proudly of their law student children who had shone joy into every corner of their lives. Parents also spoke, often a bit teary-eyed, about how grateful they were that their children were being nurtured into the profession. It was an outpouring of genuine love and connection that I just don't think would have gone quite the same way with my Xer peers and our parents.

I tried to imagine that same celebration 15 years ago, and the whole thing went quickly downhill in my mind as me and my friends sat tensely between our parents, who didn't send us to law school to be nurtured like flowers but to be tempered like steel. (I could just hear my dad saying, "What the hell????" as my friends and I cast desperate glances at each other as we prayed to be sucked into the floor.) Say what you want about "helicopter parents," but that parenting style has accomplished quite a bit. My Millennial students are, for the most part, motivated, hard-working, soft-hearted, respectful, and justice-seeking. It's what I'd want from a lawyer; it's what I want for my daughters.

So congratulations Millennial Moms! You've done good.