First came the delightful pregnancy revelations and baby bump updates (“Little Bean is the size of a grape today! Next month, a peach!”). This was soon followed by adorable newborn snapshots and amusing delivery tales (“Who was wandering around in a hospital gown? That would be Little Bean’s Mommy!”). Next, we were treated to messy highchair photos, which inevitably morphed into stories of diaper disasters (a classic at any gathering). Just before entering this latest phase, we had the “First day of (insert grade here)!” pictures featuring a wide-eyed, gangly kiddo burdened by a backpack that looked like it belonged on a mountaineer.
Now, we’ve hit a new milestone. The stage where Little Bean speaks in philosophical musings: “Today, my teacher had us read Nietzsche. I find it more relatable than Kierkegaard. It made me feel… I don’t know. Like existence is just a series of moments we’re constantly leaving behind. Then we played kickball at recess.”
Let’s be real—when we were Little Bean’s age, our parents didn’t document our every word. In fact, they were likely too busy indulging in a bit of reckless abandon, perhaps with a cigarette dangling from their lips while we rolled around unbuckled in the backseat.
Fast forward to today, and Little Bean is a social media whiz, boasting a Twitter handle with more followers and engagement than Mom or Dad could ever imagine. Little Bean knows exactly how many Likes her posts rack up on Facebook—yet does this take away from the heartfelt memories being shared? Not in my opinion. The game may have changed, but the love from her parents hasn’t wavered. They adore her unconditionally, regardless of her grades or whether she’s reading in French.
It does make me curious, though, about what Little Bean will share in her twilight years. You know, when she’ll be as outdated as dial-up internet and perhaps back to indulging in mashed bananas and wearing diapers once again. What will she have to say once her Facebook-loving parents have moved on, and her own Little Bean is ignoring her calls? Not much, I suppose. It’s tough to type when you’re cozied up in bed, drooling and feeling helpless, like a tiny grape.
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Summary
This article humorously reflects on the evolution of parenting through the lens of social media, contrasting past practices with today’s digital sharing culture. It highlights the profound love parents have for their children, regardless of the metrics that define success in the digital age.