6 Life Lessons Learned From My Gen Z Daughters

Journalist and author Sarah Catherall has shared a series of reflections on the wisdom she has gained from her three daughters, who are currently in their 20s. In a piece marking Mother’s Day on May 10, 2026, Catherall examines the shifting dynamics of the parent-child relationship and the unexpected lessons provided by Generation Z.

Catherall describes the current stage of parenting young adults as the best chapter yet. She contrasts this period of mutual inspiration with the early years of motherhood, which she characterizes as a blend of pride, exhaustion, and hard work. This earlier phase was defined by the logistics of childhood, including music classes, storytime at the library, and organizing birthday parties that were always pink.

The transition into the teenage years introduced a different set of challenges. Catherall recalls navigating the complexities of hormones, curfews, boyfriends, and school dramas. She notes a distinct shift in the nature of family celebrations as her daughters grew older.

The parties were always full of pink and cuteness, until they weren’t.

Sarah Catherall

Catherall explains that the childhood parties featuring fairy dust eventually evolved into full-blown events involving alcohol and gatecrashers, leaving a big mess to clean up afterwards.

Following the departure of her youngest daughter from the family home, Catherall experienced the initial emotional weight of becoming an empty nester. However, she found that these emotions were short-lived, replaced by a new appreciation for the short bursts of connection she now shares with her adult children.

These connections often manifest through shared activities that differ significantly from the routine of early parenting. Catherall highlights her enjoyment of walking in the bush, engaging in deep conversations, and sharing glasses of bubbles. She also notes that her daughters are all foodies and expresses her enjoyment of the delicious meals they now cook for her.

Beyond these social connections, Catherall observes that she has reached a stage where she is inspired by and learns from her daughters as young women. This represents a significant reversal from the years she spent changing nappies or feeding them spaghetti Bolognese.

One specific area of growth Catherall identifies is the concept of independence and solo travel. She reflects on her own experience at age 26, when she left New Zealand to travel to London. At the time, she did not travel alone, instead accompanying a close girlfriend while clutching my passport and lugging my backpack.

Catherall admits that during that period of her life, the prospect of traveling on her own was unfathomable. She notes that she didn’t even know how to be on [her] own at that age, a perspective that has been challenged and expanded by the influence of her Gen Z daughters.