And she has no idea I am posting this photo of the blog husband photo bombing her at an event.
If you are like me, you grew up with parents who pretty much stayed out of your life. But our generation of parents is nothing like that, I am very involved in my daughter’s life. Call me a helicopter mom if you will and it doesn’t bother me.
Unfortunately, my daughter is not buying my Lorelei and Rory (Gilmour Girl Fans united) fantasy of a close mother and daughter relationship. Maybe if I talked really fast, drank a lot of coffee and had writers to help me with my dialogue, I could achieve my goal of the cool mom but alas that is a pipe dream.
Since my daughter hit high school, she is a typical sullen, one word, moody teenager who is embarrassed at my very presence. If she has friends over, it drives her nuts that I come in ask how everyone is or if they are new, it’s inquisition questioning for sure (where do you live, who do you know, where did you go to middle school.) The rolling of the eyes ensues and next thing you know she is pushing me away.
Then there is the multiple texts and calls to friends when she doesn’t respond to my text or calls. That’s too much fun but at this stage her friends are used to it.
But the piece de resistance is the dancing and singing to songs she doesn’t know. And if it’s in public all the better to embarrass her.
This past week, we went to the screening of the Jumanji and I was chair dancing to the songs from the 90’s. If she could have crawled under the chair she would have.
I am entitled to sing songs out loud or chair dance or do some wacky dance moves at home not only because it’s fun but I live for the moment when she yells “please stop.”
My job embarrassing my daughter is done!
oh, I have not hit this stage with my daughters yet (thankfully), they will still hug me in public! But my 16 year old son – oh, boy! He is nice in our home, but the second we are in public, I am enemy #1! He treats me like the plague! he is awful, he tells me I am weird when I ask him and his friends if they would like something to eat or drink when they come over. Really?? Teens are weird!
Weird is a nice word. I am not sure what word I would describe but sometimes its not nice. They are really moody even the boys so I have heard from friends who ahve boys!
Nothing wrong with being involved in your daughter’s life! I am pregnant with my first child and fulling plan on being that way, as well. I can’t even imagine when this kid is a teenager!
Congratulations, enjoy every year, they are all different.
Oh my gosh, I remember the teenage years. Sometimes the only thing you’ve got left is to laugh. Oh, and take lots of photos like this because one day she’ll have teenagers of her own and you can pull them out to remind her of a time long, long ago .. x
I do like to take photos or shoudl I say I have to beg to take photos!!
My husband is a youth Minister, and he hears things from parents all the time about how their teens no longer want to spend time with them. It is definitely a hard time for parents. I still have little ones, and I can’t bear the thought of them not wanting me to hang around!
It is sad. My daughter does not just want to hang with me, I have to come up with some type of entertainment!!
For years I always wondered how kids can be embarrassed by their parents, I just assumed my daughter wasn’t as touchy or that I just was cooler than the rest of the moms but I had a rude awakening here not that long ago. Apparently, I have the ability to embarrass her these days and it takes such little effort on my part, it must be an age thing. I need to try to have fun with it!
It does take little effort to embarrass them. Seriously your very presence is enough to embarrass my daughter.
This was so fun to read. As the last of 10 children, I wished my parents were a little more involved in my life. They worked hard to afford me a good education but I remember their absence at my award ceremony for being one of the best graduating students. My elder siblings were there (thankfully) to cheer me on but it stroke a cord seeing parents of other kids in the hall. That said, I plan on being involved when I have kids of my own. I don’t think I can outdo you though 🙂
I kept smiling while reading your post. I am imagining myself in the future when I am already a mom. How would I deal with this. Seems like you are indeed a very cool mom. I hope I can be just like you when I am already a mom.
cool mom, I am pretty sure my daughter would laugh hysterically at that description!
I always enjoyed embarrasing my sons when they were teens (they’re 31 and 28 now)
Excellent job embarassing your daughter. I know that we want to be a part of their life and feel close to them. Unfortunately they have other things about growing up and figuring how to be self-sufficient that makes them go through that phase. I don’t think parents avoid that with their kids unless they stunt their growth, which I don’t think even the best of helicopter moms wants to do. I am sure you are doing an amazing job.
Haha! We really don’t appreciate our moms until we’re older. I used to think my mom was the most annoying person on earth when i was in high school, but since I started college back in 2014, she’s like my best friend. We talk everyday now and I’m always missing her!