MY FIRST TIME ...

ASKING MY KID FOR TECH SUPPORT

THERE I WAS, trying to connect a new Nintendo Switch 2 console to my (supposedly) smart TV, a process that should have been simple.

But when I connected the device to the TV with a standard HDMI cable, nothing happened. In my decades of wrestling with wires, I’ve handled much worse, but in this case, I found myself quickly consumed with fury.

Without trying to figure it out myself, I grabbed my phone and made a video call to my son. He’s a college senior working toward a software engineering degree, so I assumed he’d know what was wrong. I showed him the TV screen, panned over to the Nintendo, then back to the TV. “Why won’t this work?”

His calm response: “I don’t know, Dad.”

And with that, I could feel his eyes rolling up and back into his head. Deep into his head.

He was right to brush me off. After a few more minutes of fiddling, I got the gaming console to work.

At 58 years old, why was I so quick to throw up my hands in frustration when, in the past, I would have calmly tried to solve the problem? For one, I now have at my disposal a digital native who is better at tech than I am. Eventually, the youths will surpass us. It’s inevitable. Instead of worrying about it, embrace it.

My son is still a helpful guide. He recently advised me on what specifications I should consider when shopping for a new laptop. But with the Nintendo episode, he also taught me an important lesson: I still have the capacity to fix stuff myself. —Jim Lenahan

“Honestly, it’s the happiest I’ve ever been. It gave me the freedom to start making bolder choices about how I want the rest of my life to be. I had some epiphanies when I turned 50. I’m not going to do X, Y and Z anymore. It gave me sort of permission, in my own head, to shut some mishegoss out of my life.”

—Zach Braff, star of Scrubs, on his milestone birthday in April 2025. Go to aarp.org/braff to read the full interview.

5 Hot Looks for a Warm Summer

Women, refresh your wardrobe with these trendy—but classic—styles.

STRIPED TOPS
Boatnecks and button-down shirts with stripes are once again topping shopping lists. Don’t typically tuck? Try a top with a ruffled or scalloped hem. A poplin button-down works perfectly untucked or semitucked. Or opt for a pullover knit top that has elbow-length or attention-getting flare sleeves.

DENIM DUDS
This fabric is hot again, and we’re not talking about jeans. Check out denim dresses, skirts and tops with ruffles or other feminine flourishes. Not really into frills? A midi-length denim shirtdress with a tie waist or an A-line midi skirt might be your best bets for a warm-weather alternative to jeans.

POPS OF COLOR
Bored with neutrals? There are plenty of bold color options this year, but choose your combos wisely. Mixing bright colors, like an orange top and turquoise pants, can read a bit clownish. Instead, opt for a cheerful monochromatic midi dress or try pairing a vibrant statement skirt with a basic black or white tee.

WIDE-LEG PANTS
Skinny jeans are attempting to make a comeback. But if you’re not emotionally ready to squeeze back in, roomy pants are still the hotter trend. You can’t lose with a breezy, loose, full-length pair in linen. Ankle-cropped styles in lightweight stretch fabrics and casual knits also make ideal go-anywhere pants.

FLORAL FLOURISHES
If you want to give your jeans a trending boho look, try adding a relaxed floral peasant blouse or top with oversize puff sleeves. To avoid looking too “sweet,” choose a neutral base. A floral skirt with a black or white background is a perfect partner for a basic solid black or white tee. —Lois Joy Johnson