Navigating life with a pre-teen girl can feel like living with a miniature version of a superhero—emotional, unpredictable, and full of surprises. One moment, my bright and cheerful daughter is singing in the shower; the next, she’s transformed into a whirlwind of sass and drama, often leaving me wondering how we went from giggles to tears before breakfast is even done. Yet, as I shift from being the “supportive and understanding” parent to the “I totally get it” confidante, I find that we sometimes sync up in ways that are both amusing and enlightening.
Despite the generational gap, there are moments when we collide in shared experiences. As she inches closer to adolescence, I’m wrestling with my own midlife questions about what it means to be “grown up.” Here are ten amusing similarities between this 40-something mom and her young daughter:
- Skinny Jeans Dilemma: We both sport skinny jeans, although my choice is trendy while hers might border on too tight. Did she just suggest mine are too snug?
- Struggles with Zits: Breakouts are part of our lives, regardless of age. Whether it’s her teenage hormones or my midlife surprises, we both sometimes feel less than fabulous when facing the mirror.
- Nail Polish Swaps: We love raiding each other’s nail polish collections. There’s something special about bonding over a shared beauty ritual. Current favorite? Sugarplum, which you can snag at Forever 21 for just $2.99.
- Unexpected Hair Growth: Both of us are dealing with new hair in places we didn’t anticipate. She can take care of her fuzzies with waxing, while I contemplate the more permanent route of electrolysis.
- Love for YA Novels: We share a passion for action-packed, romantic young adult novels. Who doesn’t enjoy a good dystopian tale filled with brave heroines and their adventures? I can’t wait for us to binge the movie adaptations together!
- Creative Cursing: We both have a penchant for using words like “freakin’” and “crap.” My once clever way of avoiding swearing has now become a shared family trait—should we tone it down or keep the banter alive?
- Crushing on TV Characters: We both have our eye on the “hot” characters from shows like Nashville. I’m all about Deacon, while she’s swooning over Gunnar. It’s a bit strange that she understands what “hot” means now!
- Running Reluctance: Neither of us finds joy in running. It’s a mutual understanding that this activity is more torture than fun. Remembering my own PE days, I can’t blame her for dreading it too.
- Friendship Insecurities: Social circles can be tricky at any age. I still worry about friendships and feeling left out, and I’m glad to guide her through her own social challenges, drawing on my past experiences.
- Dream Supporters: We uplift each other when chasing our dreams. My daughter shines as a vocalist in her school rock band, and I’m her biggest cheerleader. I even had my moment on stage at a school fundraiser, and while she might have felt embarrassed, she still rooted for me—proof of our mutual support.
Raising a tween is certainly a rollercoaster ride. However, it’s the little moments of connection that make it worthwhile—even if it sometimes means revealing too much about our fashion choices.
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Summary
Moms in their 40s and their 12-year-old daughters share many surprising similarities, from fashion choices to emotional struggles. The connection between them can be both humorous and profound, making the parenting journey a shared adventure.