Lately, I have been thinking a lot about this new generation.

Some folks call it Generation Y. Others call it the "New Millenials."

All I know is that I mean anyone who was born, say, when Bill Clinton was president.

Mostly, I have been thinking of teenagers - how they used to be, how they are today. And wondering what's behind the way they see the world.

My experience is that teenagers these days don't work as hard as I remember working. They don't feel as grateful. They can talk back a bit. They are more aware. And man, they are smart.

But really bothers me, if I had to put my finger on it, is what I see as an entitlement culture. There is a sense of obligation, and sense of "what's due us."

I know I sound like an old fuddy-duddy. Heck, you may even think this has something to do with my parenting skills (or lack thereof?). But it really doesn't matter where it comes from, does it?

What we need to do is try to understand it, and work with it as parents.

I know that there are attitudes from today's teenagers that are really tough for me. They tap into reactions for me, and I am sure for many teachers and parents, that I didn't even really know I had.

There's a disrespect. They are certainly more plugged in, online, and informed than I ever was.

But fighting it isn't easy. The teachers I know who try to fight it end up frustrated, as do the parents.

I have been trying to think lately of where it comes from, and I have a theory.

Today's teenagers have grown up in a country at war. We don't often talk about it, but the kids do.

Many of them don't respect their president. Many of them have watched closely and learned about stories about corporate bailouts and CEO salaries.

The very elements of our country that have made many of us cynical have done the same thing to our teenagers.

Add in Facebook, My Space, Twitter, YouTube, Gmail and much more, and you get generation of kids that has been discouraged by national leadership, felt a lack of mentors and inspiration, and has plenty of opportunities to talk about it with their friends.

As I have been mulling over this generation, I read a parenting article about the best ways to connect to the members of Generation Y - as a parent or a teacher:

You be the leader -- Millenials are looking for honesty and integrity.

Challenge them- The Millenials want to learn new things.

Let them work with their friends -- This generation is all about connecting and clicking with people. Social connections are key, and you need to allow them time to have them.

Have fun - This generation wants fun, and they don't want to just work. Try to integrate play whenever you can.

Respect - This generation is all about respect and being treated as little miniature adults. This one is hard for me sometimes - but I fight less with my daughter when I do it.

Flexibility -- This generation is the one that has juggled dance class, acting class, soccer, and Chinese lessons. They like being busy, and they need flexibility to juggle it all.

I don't know why it made me feel better to read this list.

I often wonder if I am being too soft on my daughter, and then I tighten up and turn up the command and control.

But it finally hit me that every time I do that, she pulls away. With a teenaged daughter, do you really want to have that pulling away happen?

Or do you want to find a way to broker some sort of compromise between your generation and her generation, some way to communicate across the divide, some way to be a parent, and provide direction... but not fight each day?

Tough questions: I like to think some of this is about to turn around.

My daughter and her friends are excited about the new President. They seem possibilities ahead, and they see a hopeful end of the war. Perhaps changes in store for our nation will also mean change in store for those of us raising our teenagers in an interesting time.

Here's to Generation Y, to the new Millenials, to whatever you are.

You kids are pretty amazing. You have been well-schooled, well-trained, given so much opportunity, and are amazingly informed.

I think you guys are going to do great things someday.

And when you get there? I think I'll be due for a vacation.

Lauri Hennessey has written this column for more than a decade for a number of Robinson newspapers. She runs a public relations business and can be reached at lauri@hennesseypr.com.