I have the luxury of going through the first time experiences from feelings, dress codes, shoe codes, hormones, etc. involving a teen boy. Followed by the school crush, feelings, hormone outrage at younger siblings, yelling, who stole my brush, face maintenance, dress codes, shoe codes and last but not least makeup. Then, I get to do it all over next year with the next girl in line. The question is what is appropriate. Dad and I have allowed the girls to wear a see through gloss and paint their nails without going emo. We don’t have to really watch what they wear because they are cautious on their own. In a society where most 12 year olds are wearing black winged eyeliner, booty cut shorts, mid-drift shirts and have their hair up to par in highlights and dyes that put my hair color to shame. A day in age where 12 year olds selfie game makes them look 19.
All of those in consideration and of course what I remember growing up seeing all the girls at school wearing that dark plum wet and wild lipstick, black eye liner and jet black mascara. I also remember how upset I was because all the girls could wear all the cute stuff and I was so stinkin skinny all I could wear was the little girls section of the stores. So, when it comes to my kids I understand both sides of it being the parent and being the child. I have extended out to allowing our oldest girl to taking her to get her eyebrows done for 8th grade. I just recently allowed her to wear mascara, I chose a brown/black for her and walked her through the dos and don’t’s. Watching and teaching my little girl how to apply mascara was a big eye opener to how much she has grown, how much she has changed from this chubby cheek, curly haired happy go lucky baby to a beautiful young lady.
After I applied it for her, she washed it off gently and reapplied herself and as she was doing it her face was lit like a Christmas parade. Her beautiful smile emerged and her brother told her “wow, all the girls are going to be jealous because Gaby’s lashes look long and good”. I am happy my 13 year old is appreciative with eyebrow waxing and a little mascara. I’m happy she still likes her bermuda shorts and little “I LOVE CATS” t-shirt. I know it will not stay like that for long, but I will be enjoy the little moments I can get even if its her huffing and puffing and ranting. I have absolutely no clue where she gets it from either. I will make the most of what I can and seize every opportunity to mortify her chance I get.
11/30/-0001
13 yr old cat lady turns into a butterfly |