I was warned on more that one occasion. Parents of tweens and teenagers would give me a knowing look and say, “Just wait…you are going to have your hands full”. I did not realize it would start so soon….
School picture day was Monday and I offered to take my daughter shopping for a new dress. Normally she wears a uniform to school: plaid skirt, white blouse, navy knee socks, black shoes. On picture day, the students are allowed to wear regular clothes that fit appropriately. There is a long list of “No’s” such as No jeans, No short skirts, No sleeveless tops, etc.
We arrived at the mall an hour before closing. We planned our route and knew which stores we wanted to shop. At our last store, with only fifteen minutes to spare, my daughter found a top she liked. She came out of the dressing room and modeled her choice. I liked the top but made a grave error. I told her that the top would also be great for the first CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) dance.
My comment caused a dilemma and an immediate reaction. The following spilled out of my daughter’s mouth:
You ruined everything!
How could I possibly wear this top for picture day AND the first dance.
I cannot wear the same top twice.
Everyone would remember!
If I wear the new top to the dance, what am I going to wear for picture day?
What am I going to do?
None of the other kids wears the same outfit twice.
I waited for the monologue to finish. I told her that clothing is not disposable. The tween years have officially begun.
Any tips on surviving the tween/teen years?
9 comments:
I know what it's like - I have gone shopping with your daughter. I was the woman sitting on the floor of the dressing room exhausted.
Do you remember swimsuit shopping this year? She tried on 25 swimsuits before deciding on the very last one!
I feel for you. I didn't go to my high school prom or homecoming or anything, because my parents would have made me wear hand me down bridesmaids dresses, and that would have been too embarrassing.
I remember how I used to drag my mum around town when I was a teenager..... So glad I've got boys! We just hired a dinner suit for my son's prom - he looked so handsome and grown up. However my 16 year old niece...I know she's proving expensive on the clothes front. All she wants now for xmas and birthdays is money or vouchers for her favourite shops!
Becky: I had to wear the gown I wore to my brothers wedding to my 8th grade graduation. Thanks for commenting!
Sue: Thank you for commenting. I am glad she wears uniforms to school! I would think that shopping with boys would be a little easier. Every time we walk by a shoe store she wants to buy high heels. I am exhausted already...
Ha! Good luck with that. Wish I could say it is easier with boys, but...
My son just turned 17. We recently spent two hours in the mall before school started looking for jeans and shirts. He must have tried on every pair in Old Navy - dark ones, straight leg, boot cut, acid washed. Each pair had to be tried on with shoes then he had to sit down in them and bend over as well to make sure the length didn't disappear when he did either. OMG - I thought I was going to die in that mall...
Pray for me, please as senior pics and prom are still on the horizon...
Oh my! Sounds like quite a shopping event.
My daughter cornered me in the dressing room until I answered a million questions about one top. I never knew shopping was so mentally exhausting!
Best of luck to you and your son on his Senior year!
Felicia - you're 17 year old son will let you go shopping with him? My sons wouldn't be seen dead in town with me (just in case they bump into friends). I either have to give them the money to buy it themselves, take them to a neighbouring town (less likely to meet friends) or order stuff from catelogues!
Hi Michele, nice post & good blog, i think u must try this site to increase traffic. hope you have a nice day & keep blogging!!!
Post a Comment