It has finally hit me. Beyond being a human snack dispenser, my tweens think I’m about as cool as a flip phone. I always knew it would come to this; seasoned parents had warned me, yet I secretly hoped I might escape unscathed. But nothing quite prepares you for the moment your kids start to cringe at your presence. My children are officially embarrassed by me.
I reminisce about the days when my little ones clung to my side, where only mom could ease their worries. Those days are long gone. Now, a simple text from a friend is all it takes to smooth their nerves.
When I must make a rare appearance at their school (a traumatic event in their eyes), I receive an extensive list of rules:
- Don’t talk to anyone.
- Avoid eye contact.
- Don’t speak to my teacher.
- No hugs or kisses.
- Don’t introduce yourself to my classmates.
- Don’t bring lunch late.
- Don’t try to chat with my friends.
- Avoid talking to other parents.
Oh, how the tables have turned. Just a short while ago, my list looked something like this:
- Can you volunteer in my classroom every day?
- Can you bring in treats for the class?
- Can you lead math group?
- Can you chaperone all my field trips?
- Can you bring the kittens for show and tell?
- Can I have a hug and kiss as you walk me to class?
- Can you come have lunch with me?
- Can you be a recess monitor?
Ah, the glory days of being my children’s favorite person.
I must admit, I might be guilty of all the “DON’TS.” I’m the mom who waves enthusiastically and shouts “I love you!” from the car window. I’m the one blasting Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” a bit too loudly during pickups. I even have shown up unannounced to wave at my kids in their classroom. The moment I realized I was causing them embarrassment was when I noticed eye rolls, muttering under their breath, and the blatant refusal to look my way. It was a crushing blow when my son pretended he didn’t know me, prompting his teacher to ask who I was.
I also recognize that my conversation topics can be a bit questionable in public settings. For example, while standing in line at my daughter’s school orientation, I casually mentioned how the hairdresser suggested I should start waxing my arm hair. I caught her shifting away from me, clearly uncomfortable. “Mom, can we NOT discuss your arm hair here?” Oops. While their concerns are valid, I’m still their mom! They should be running towards me with open arms, regardless of their age—right? Apparently not. What a bummer.
I try to stay positive and hope this phase will pass, and one day they’ll return to their senses. It sounds good in theory.
But wait! There was a surprising moment of redemption today. My son unexpectedly gave me a sweet kiss on the cheek while saying goodbye in front of the school. I didn’t even have to ask! Moreover, my daughter gave me a hug as she exited the car. YES! Maybe there’s hope for this mom who has a little too much arm hair after all.
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Summary
Parenting can be a challenging experience, particularly when children reach their tween years and start to feel embarrassed by their parents. It’s a common phase that many parents go through, leading to humorous yet poignant moments. Despite the challenges, there are still moments of affection that remind us of the bond we share with our kids.