Lately, I’ve been struck by the realization that my tween daughter perceives me as rather behind the times. When I suggest she take a sweater to school, she offers a condescending smile while begrudgingly tossing it into her backpack, making it clear that it’s more of a token gesture than anything else.
When I ask her to call her friend to coordinate a carpool, she gives me a bemused look as if the idea of using a phone call is utterly archaic. Instead, she swiftly types out a text message, leaving me feeling out of touch with modern communication methods.
I recently got excited when she wanted to borrow an outfit from my past that I thought was stylish. Much to my dismay, I soon realized she planned to wear it ironically, completely missing the earnestness I once had.
While discussing the importance of good manners, I advised her, “Don’t do anything you’d be embarrassed to see on the front page of the newspaper.” She looked at me blankly before kindly responding, “Oh, you mean don’t do anything that might come up on Instagram?”
During playful moments, I often hit her playfully with a pillow and shout, “Makeup!” She giggles but recently asked, “Why do you always say that?” When I tried to explain that it was a phrase from old Hollywood, she nodded with a soothing smile, as if to say, “It’s okay to reminisce about your ‘glory days.’” Honestly, her reaction makes me feel positively vintage.
I assure you, I’m not sitting around in a rocking chair covered with crochet blankets or wearing mom jeans. So what makes her perceive me as an ancient artifact? Perhaps I’ll ask her during our outing today.
“Omigod, Mom! Is that a fanny pack?” she exclaims.
“No, no!” I reply, flustered. “It’s a fabric pouch for your money that clips to your belt loop. It’s called a Hip Clip!” I display it with pride.
“Oh, Mom,” she says, linking her arm through mine. “You are so adorable!”
In sum, navigating the world of tweens can often feel like a challenge, especially when you find yourself being labeled as “outdated.” For more insightful discussions on topics like home insemination, check out this other blog post. If you’re looking for further guidance on artificial insemination, Make a Mom has extensive resources. Also, if you want to know what to expect during your first IUI procedure, Parents.com offers excellent information.