Everyone knows the infamous "90's kids" generation (mostly because they make it impossible for us to forget). These kids (er, adults now I guess) will convince you that the 90's is home to the best music, television, movies, toys and basically anything else that will grab a child's attention. However, I am here to argue and to fight for my own generation: the 2000's. To be a 00's kid, you had to have been born in the late 90's into the early 00's (2003 at the latest). The early 00s, aka the golden age, was home to so much pop culture and change in America that I have composed a list of 17 things that every 00's kid will remember (and cry a little bit about).
1. The Disney Channel Lineup
"Lizzie McGuire"? "That's So Raven"? I probably spent most of my young life watching the same re-runs every single night. Also, Hilary Duff is arguably still the queen of Disney Channel.
2. Britney Spears in "Toxic"
At 7-years-old, you'd never seen something so scandalous. I mean, she wasn't wearing any clothes and she was rolling around on what looked like a very chilly tile floor. You didn't care though, because what Britney did, you wanted to do, too. What do you mean I can't go naked except for sequins over my nipples to school, mom? Britney did it!
3. Skirts Over Jeans
Still waiting for this fad to take over the world. Feeling indecisive? BOOM. Decision made for you.
4. The "Harry Potter" Series
You were into it. Even if you were't into it, you were into it.
5. WonderBalls
Every time your mom dragged you to the grocery store you were compensated with this beautiful creation. I am still wondering why they were discontinued? I would compensate my adult self for running errands with one of these babies.
6. Razor Phone
It was not only your first phone, but also the same phone you used to text "ILY TTYL" to your sixth grade bae.
7. Heelys
These shoes became so popular that they were banned at every elementary and middle school across America. Teachers began to hate their jobs all because of Heelys. "Heels with wheels, bro!"
8. "CHOCOLAAAAAAAATE"
"What are they selling?!"
9. Guitar Hero
Thanks to this wonderful invention, I still know every single word of "Eye of the Tiger." You never know when that will come in handy.
10. The Jonas Brothers
Back when they had EMO hair cuts and sang about the year 3000. Now they date supermodels and wear underwear on the covers of magazines. I'm not sure how to feel about that.
11. Tamagotchi
Mom, I can't come to the table yet. My tamagotchi pooped all over the place.
12. Aaron Carter
TBT to that one time he was on Lizzie McGuire and we began to feel the real effects of OTP for the first time.
13. AIM
I used to spend four-plus hours a night just chatting my 7th grade boyfriend and updating my "Buddy Info." Time well spent.
14. The Cheetah Girls
The OG squad. You will never forget the words to their songs, but also, why would you want to?
15. "Everyyyyybodyyyyyyy"
ROCK YO BODDDDDDAY.
16. Team Edward vs. Team Jacob
Your puberty-induced hormones brought about some intense arguments with your best friend over who was better. You actually got in a fight with her and didn't sit with her at lunch one day because of it. The whole school was SHOCKED.
17. "The High School Musical" Movies
Never has a musical made you laugh, cry and believe in REAL teen love. It made you question the "status quo" and to never judge your friends if they like to cook crème brûlée.
I feel bad for today's kids that they won't grow up having to get off the Internet because their mom needs to call their grandma or that they'll never understand the struggle of having to memorize all of their friends' phone numbers just so they don't have to whip out the 50 lb. phone book to look it up. I am proud to have grown up in the 2000's because I can tell stories to my grandchildren about a time where no one had their own personal computer and a time when you had to wait outside in the snow when your mom was picking you up because *gasp* she couldn't just text you to tell you she was here. The 2000's weren't just home to the peak of Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan, they were also home to a time where America welcomed the first black President and developed some of the most advanced technology in the world. I grew up in a time of great change and I am proud to have been a part of it.
Take that 90's kids.