Every parent knows that keeping tabs on teens can be a bit of a challenge. It’s not about mistrust (well, maybe just a little), but let’s face it—teens can sometimes stretch the truth. Thankfully, modern technology gives us a way to check in on our kids more easily, though it doesn’t always guarantee honesty about their activities or whereabouts.
Enter mom Lisa Hartman. With an 18-year-old daughter, Mia Rivers, Lisa has come up with a brilliant method to ensure her daughter is where she claims to be. Whenever she needs some “proof of life,” she asks Mia to snap a specific selfie, turning what could be a mundane text into a fun back-and-forth.
One Friday evening, while hanging out with her best friend, Emma, also 18, Mia received a request from her mom. Emma told BuzzFeed News that they were just having a relaxing movie night before she headed off to college. But Lisa wasn’t so convinced; she needed that confirmation, and fast!
“Where are you?” Lisa messaged Mia. “Before you say anything, where’s your car?” Mia reassured her mom that both she and her car were at Emma’s place. Lisa then requested a very particular picture: “Send a selfie of you both giving me the thumbs up.”
When the girls complied, Lisa wasn’t satisfied with the lighting. “Turn on the light,” she replied. Then came the kicker: “I think you cropped Emma out of the pic, so get on her back and send another shot.”
This mom’s intuition is on point! While it isn’t always spot-on, there’s often a reason behind every request we make as parents. Even if our kids don’t initially understand, they usually comply with our wishes because, well, we said so!
Lisa admitted to BuzzFeed News that she doesn’t often ask for selfies, but she knows Mia has plenty of photos with friends saved on her phone. This is crucial since teens can be quite crafty, and it’s our responsibility to keep them safe. Mia confessed that her mom’s selfie game has sometimes caught her in a lie. “There have been times when I said I was at Emma’s when I was actually at a bonfire,” she revealed.
When Mia shared this texting exchange on Twitter, it sparked a wave of nostalgia and laughter, with many chiming in with their own mom stories: Twitter Link.
In the end, Lisa felt reassured after receiving the first photo but continued to ask for more just for fun. “I knew she was where she said she was,” Lisa shared with BuzzFeed News. “But it was just more entertaining to keep her on her toes.”
Well played, mom!
For parents navigating the joys and challenges of raising teens, this clever selfie tactic is not just a means of reassurance but also a chance for a little lightheartedness. And if you’re curious about how home insemination can reduce the pressure of conception, check out How Make-A-Mom Alleviated the Pressure of Timing Intimacy While Trying to Conceive. For those looking into pregnancy and home insemination, WebMD offers excellent resources.
In summary, Lisa Hartman’s unique selfie request not only provides peace of mind but also fosters a playful bond between her and her daughter, making the teenage years a little more manageable.