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This is a confident generation. Their teachers tell them they’re brilliant and will go far. Whereas we were taught we were rubbish and useless, destined for failure.

So we must get used to being belittled by our kids, with their certain knowledge that their parents are idiots, whose knowledge of the world is no match for theirs.

All day long, we must absorb every cynical glance and cutting remark. Anything we report having experienced in our life must be dismissed out of hand because it does not conform to their experience, or the teachings of their teachers.

They are the enlightened. We the unenlightened. They the brilliant young scholars. We the dunces who never went to school. Our job is to provide food, shelter, and a reliable internet connection. Beyond this, we are surplus to requirements, deserving only of unkind barbs delivered with intent.

We must be patient here, encouraging them to study hard. We dare not discourage them by complaining about their arrogance. We dare not suggest that perhaps they don’t yet know everything. No, we must boost their self-belief by diminishing ourselves.

I admit I’m not adept at parenting this assertive generation, whose response to every challenge is crude rudeness. Long gone the dependent children who looked to us for everything a decade ago.

Right before our eyes, they have transformed into our challengers, and we into foes to be belittled, disobeyed, or ignored.

“Would you like to set the table?” we might ask.

“No, you’re alright,” they’ll reply.

Unfortunately, this is the best it gets. If we taught them manners, it is all forgotten. I don’t recognise these unkind characters in our midst at all.

This is a confident generation. And as for us? We’re just counting down, muttering to one another, “Well, at least we still have each other.”  Some say it gets better once the hormones wane. Let’s hope so.