When Did 13-Year-Olds Start Looking Like Supermodels?

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You know you’re getting older when you look at the younger generation with both admiration and a hint of dread. As a parent of preteens, I often find myself oscillating between being impressed by their confidence and worried about it. One moment, I’m reminding them to wear their socks, and the next, I’m watching them create a stunning PowerPoint presentation faster than I can find my glasses. Clearly, I’ve hit that phase of parenting where I can’t help but think about how drastically things have changed since my own childhood.

Here are a few of my “old-timer” observations I’ve made lately (and yes, I’ll take prunes with that):

1. When did 13-year-olds start resembling supermodels? A scroll through my Facebook feed in early September had me convinced it was Fashion Week rather than back-to-school week. Why are those runway stars posing at our bus stop? Oh, wait. It’s just some middle schoolers on their way to science class, decked out like they’re hitting the red carpet. Thanks to brands like Proactiv and trendy stores like Hollister, the awkward adolescent phase seems to be disappearing. But don’t worry, that awkwardness has to go somewhere—typically, it lands on moms like me who are trying to keep up with these stylish kids while shopping at the mall. But hey, intense moments of awkwardness can build character. Right, Gisele? [sobs quietly]
2. The most active couch potatoes ever. This generation is often labeled as inactive and plagued by obesity, yet I’ve seen 11-year-olds sprint past me in a 5K. Many are year-round athletes or juggle multiple sports each season. I mean, kids running six-minute miles at age nine? Unreal! When I was ten, I thought running was a good excuse for a break to sip Kool-Aid.
3. Online “likes” vs. real-life “dislikes.” On Instagram, they’re loving everything from beaches to rainbows. In real life? The beach is too sandy, the tree’s too annoying, and football? Not a chance!
4. In-person vs. virtual interaction. Put a group of kids in a room with their phones, and it’s dead silent. Yet, once they’re apart, they’ll text and FaceTime like they’ve got to connect immediately: “I didn’t look at you 20 minutes ago, but I need to see your face now!”
5. Sleepovers or “Sleepunders”? These gatherings should be renamed, because no one gets any sleep—under five hours is the norm! And don’t even get me started on preteen underwear—let’s just say “overworn” fits better.
6. Eating habits of toddlers, drink choices of adults. It’s amusing that many kids are still picky eaters, rejecting anything that doesn’t taste like a chicken nugget. But their drink orders rival any coffee snob: a 12-year-old casually asks for a “grande iced skinny mocha-choco-latte half-caf with no whip.”
7. Attention spans are a mystery. Reading a book for 15 minutes? Outrageous! But hours spent on Minecraft? Totally acceptable.
8. Abbreviations and new verbs. Kids shorten everything, yet somehow have turned “vs.” into a verb. “Who are you versing tonight?” Even Oxford should take note!
9. Selfies galore, but family photos are a no-go. They can snap thousands of selfies but will sprint away when it’s time for a family picture. I’m giving up on holiday cards this year and opting for a montage of their Instagram pics instead. Should I choose the one with him in front of a porta-potty or the marshmallow-stuffed moment? Tough choice!

Despite these wild changes, parenting older kids can be a blast. When asked about it, I say it’s like having a quick lunch of chicken nuggets at Starbucks with a supermodel while versing a pro athlete in a 10K.

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Summary

Parenting preteens today can feel like a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—admiration for their confidence and concern over their habits. From their striking style to their peculiar social interactions, today’s kids are a mix of surprises. While they may seem like supermodels, navigating their world of social media and sleepovers can be both amusing and challenging.