In her book, STFU, Parents, blogger Blair Koenig takes a humorous yet critical look at the often outrageous and sometimes infuriating habit of parents oversharing on social media. While much of the parental oversharing tends to revolve around cute baby milestones, those with teenagers also have their moments of cringe-worthy updates. It’s a wild ride through the realm of “momedy” humor and the competitive spirit of “Mompetitions,” where parents try to top each other’s tales of triumphs and blunders.
When it comes to teens, though, the landscape shifts. While younger kids dominate the oversharing scene, that doesn’t mean parents of older children are completely off the hook. You can bet there are still some who can’t resist sharing a little too much. If you’re a teenager or have been one, you can probably guess what those updates might entail.
Now, it’s all about periods, awkward growth spurts, and the joys of armpit hair. Thankfully, fewer parents are posting about these topics—probably because their teens are old enough to have their own social media profiles and can read their parents’ posts. But for those unfortunate kids whose parents still feel the need to share every detail of their adolescence, I wish I could offer some comfort. We’ve all been there, and trust me, it gets better.
Imagine if my mom had plastered the neighborhood with flyers announcing, “Blair’s First Period!!! She’s a woman now!!!” or shared the news of my brother’s teenage acne saga on Facebook. That would have been beyond embarrassing. I genuinely feel for the kids who face this kind of public scrutiny today.
Raise your hands if you’d have loved it if your mom sent a digital newsletter announcing your first period! Oh, joy! Take, for example, Rachel’s update about her son, Sam, who just got his first chin hair at eleven. “He’s so excited to grow a beard like grandpa!” she shares. Really, Rachel? Beards are such a gift for an eleven-year-old?
Dolores’s playful share about her son’s burgeoning body hair might be lighthearted, but it still crosses the unspoken boundary of the “Parents’ Law of Body Hair Discussion.” Just because a young man mentions his armpit hair doesn’t mean he wants the world to know. Honestly, can’t these parents see that their kids—and all their friends—are watching? Discussing a teen’s private habits online is a much worse fate than sharing those adorable baby pictures from years ago.
It’s a strange world we live in when parents are more open about their teens’ private lives than about their own. I mean, come on—who wants to hear about their “showering” habits? Hillary seems to think her son feels comfortable talking to her about that, but I can assure her, not for long!
For those looking for more on navigating parenthood and fertility options, check out this helpful resource. If you’re interested in home insemination and want to know more, visit this reliable source. And for a wealth of knowledge on pregnancy topics, don’t miss out on Kindbody’s blog.
In summary, while many parents of toddlers may be the main offenders of oversharing, those with teens can still fall into the trap of revealing too much. It’s vital to think before hitting “post,” as teenagers are becoming more aware of their online presence.