When my daughter, Lily, was born, it felt like I was reliving my own childhood. From the start, it was clear that we had so much in common—she shares my love for the color pink and has inherited my stubbornness, along with my quirky sense of humor that often leaves us both in stitches. Parenting her has been akin to a nostalgic journey back to my own youth, filled with shared interests, like our favorite storybooks and dress-up games. Yet, as she edges closer to her teenage years, I’ve come to realize there are some important truths about being a teenage girl that I had completely forgotten—or perhaps, intentionally blocked out. It seems she’s not all that different from the girl I once was, sporting acid-washed jeans and an impressive hairdo.
1. Teenage Girls Spend Ages in the Bathroom
I vividly recall my brothers banging on the bathroom door during my long showers, their threats echoing through the house as I experimented with deep conditioning and generous sprays of hairspray. I had forgotten about those chaotic moments until I caught my son, Jake, sitting outside the bathroom, book in hand, with a resigned expression. When I asked him what he was doing, he sighed, “I stopped knocking ten minutes ago. She’ll emerge eventually.” If only my brothers had been that patient.
2. Teenage Girls Need Guidance on Shaving
After years of managing my own leg hair, I’d forgotten that mastering the art of shaving is a skill learned over time. When I noticed that Lily had some underarm hair, I gently suggested she give shaving a try. She looked at me wide-eyed, exclaiming, “With a razor? I’m not even allowed to use knives unsupervised!” Memories flooded back of my own awkward first attempts, balancing on the tub and nicking my skin as my mom offered advice on avoiding disaster. I hope my brothers are starting to understand why I took so long in there.
3. Teenage Girls Never Stop Talking
As a teen, I could chat endlessly with my friends, and although I can’t recall the specifics of those conversations, I know they felt vital at the time. My parents even installed a second phone line for emergencies! Today, Lily has FaceTime and spends hours talking with her friends and planning outfits. She chatters away to me and my husband, filling our home with her constant chatter, and I can almost hear my mom chuckling at the irony.
4. Teenage Girls Worry About Their Periods
I remember reading Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and feeling terrified about starting my period—concerned about bleeding, ruining clothes, and boys discovering my secret. Lily is equally anxious, convinced she’ll bleed to death when Aunt Flow arrives. When she inquired about tampons, I realized she had them confused with teepees. Our conversation took a roundabout route that left her in tears until I cleared up the misunderstanding. She was so relieved to find out she wouldn’t have to deal with a miniature Native American dwelling!
5. Teenage Girls Can Cry Over Anything
Watching Lily get emotional over something as trivial as her shoelaces reminds me of my own teenage turmoil. The feelings of injustice, hot tears, and the urge to stomp away in frustration are all too familiar. When she slams her door in dramatic fashion, I can’t help but think my mother was a saint for enduring my own melodramatics.
These realizations are just the beginning. As Lily navigates the journey of adolescence, I’m sure I’ll be reminded of my first crush and the challenges of learning to parallel park, along with countless other memories I thought I had forgotten. Watching her blossom into a wonderful young woman, I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement knowing she’s also becoming one of my closest friends. Just don’t tell her that—she would definitely roll her eyes.
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Summary:
This article reflects on the author’s memories of being a teenage girl and how they parallel her experiences with her daughter as she approaches her teenage years. From bathroom battles to the complexities of shaving and the emotions tied to adolescence, the author shares humorous and nostalgic insights into the teenage girl experience.