It all begins with those joyful pregnancy announcements and updates on fetal development (“Little Bean is the size of a lime this week! Next, a peach!”). Following that are the heartwarming newborn photos and amusing birth stories (“Guess who was giving birth in a room full of strangers? Yep, it was Little Bean’s Mom!”). These updates soon evolve into adorable highchair moments featuring banana-smeared faces, only to be replaced by classic tales of diaper disasters (a perennial favorite at dinner parties). Just before entering our current chapter, we captured those “First day of (insert grade here)!” photos of a wide-eyed, gangly child burdened with a backpack that could rival Mount Everest.
Now, we find ourselves at a new juncture. Little Bean articulates deep thoughts like, “Today in class, we discussed Nietzsche. I prefer him to Camus; it makes me feel… I don’t know, like life is just a series of departures. Then we had recess and played four square.”
Back in our day, our parents didn’t document our every word for public consumption. In fact, they often overlooked our musings altogether. They were too busy enjoying their carefree lives, perhaps sipping cocktails while we rolled around freely in the back seat of the car.
Little Bean is now a savvy social media user with a following that exceeds what Mom or Dad could have ever imagined. She tracks her Likes on Facebook, but does that diminish the sentimentality of her digital memoir? Not at all. While the landscape has changed, the essence remains the same. Her parents value her for who she is, regardless of her social media popularity or whether she’s reading in the original French.
This brings to mind what Little Bean will reflect on in her twilight years when she’s nearly ancient—much like platforms such as Earthlink or MySpace today—relying on mashed bananas and wearing diapers once again. What more will there be to express after her social media-obsessed parents have passed, her academic achievements are behind her, and her own little Bean is ignoring her calls? Not much. Typing becomes a challenge when you’re curled up in bed, drooling and vulnerable, reminiscent of a tiny shrimp.
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In summary, the evolution of social media has transformed how we document parenting and childhood milestones. While the medium may have changed, the love and connection between parents and children remain timeless.