Despite her persistent protests, my daughter, Mia, doesn’t own a cell phone—remarkably, I seem to be the last parent standing against this trend among her sixth-grade peers. She’s often exasperated by my restrictions on PG-13 movies and the appropriateness of her school attire. At 11 years old, I remind her that there is plenty of time to navigate those waters and insufficient time to simply relish childhood.
Nonetheless, she’s eager to explore her independence, and I’m keen to support her. Last summer, I took her to my salon for some striking red highlights, she’s now allowed to stay home alone for short periods, and she enjoys flexibility in her reading choices. So, when she asked to join Pinterest, despite my social media limits, I agreed—on the condition that I could follow her.
I’m grateful I made that choice. As Mia matures, I realize I only catch glimpses of the person she is becoming. While I occasionally see snippets of her life outside our home, following her on Pinterest has unveiled several aspects of her personality that I hadn’t previously recognized.
1. Her Fashion Sense is Impressive
When she was younger, I splurged on outfits from brands like Janie and Jack and Mini Boden, but up until she turned six, she exclusively wore twirly tutus, refusing to don pants or shorts. However, that all changed in first grade, when it became jeans or bust. Now, she favors athletic shorts and tees year-round, relegating dresses and skirts to special occasions. We often debate about leggings, which all her friends wear, but I question if she wants to come off as if she just finished a yoga class.
As she approaches my height, I’ve secretly hoped she might want to borrow my clothes or develop her own style. On Pinterest, however, I’ve discovered her more creative side. Her boards are filled with intricate nail art, funky hairstyles, and even quirky earrings shaped like miniature jars of Nutella (who wouldn’t want that?). I love witnessing her artistic flair in full bloom—if only it would extend to her clothing choices.
2. She’s More Mature Than I Realize
I’m aware that she’s growing up, but the Mia I see at home seems more invested in her collection of plush toys than in any teenage interests. I catch glimpses of the adolescent she is becoming when she dances with friends or texts endlessly on her iPod Touch. Yet, every morning, she still curls up next to me for a hug.
On Pinterest, she has a board dedicated to “Teenager Posts,” featuring quotes like, “Do you ever just get a random burst of motivation to clean your room, write a novel, paint a masterpiece, or read a book at 3 a.m.?” This kid can sleep through anything, so I’m skeptical that any sudden inspiration would wake her, but I like to envision that it could. More importantly, I adore that she dreams about it.
3. But Maybe Not as Grown-Up as She Thinks
One of her pins reads, “Hearing noises when home alone and just accepting that you’re going to die.” She spent months lobbying for the privilege to stay home while I take her younger brother to gymnastics. However, I now question her bravery.
4. Our Movie Tastes Align
Her movie board features countless titles from the Marvel universe, which she adores. She has two Avenger-themed Build-A-Bear stuffed animals and eagerly anticipates the next Marvel release. Surprisingly, I noticed she also pinned “Pitch Perfect” and “Legally Blonde,” films I introduced her to. While I’m not a fan of Thor and the gang, I cherish the fact that we can bond over the other films we’ve enjoyed together. Our shared interests extend to books as well; we’ve started reading the same titles to discuss them, creating our own little book club.
5. Her Humor is Unveiling
Mia might groan at my jokes more often than she laughs, but her sense of humor comes alive on Pinterest. It turns out we share a love for Grumpy Cat, humorous Harry Potter memes, and the classic “You Had One Job” posts. As we approach her teenage years, I anticipate we’ll face challenges, but if we can share a laugh over Buzzfeed’s “28 Cats Having a Way Worse Day Than You,” I’m confident we’ll navigate the ups and downs together.
In summary, following Mia on Pinterest has provided me with a unique window into her world, revealing her evolving interests and personality traits, from her budding fashion sense to her sense of humor. It’s a delightful way to bond and understand the young woman she is becoming.
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