5 Things I’d Completely Overlooked About Teen Girls

When my daughter entered my life, it felt like I was reading a sequel to my own childhood. From the beginning, I recognized our shared quirks, and I was thrilled to discover her fondness for pink mirrors my own. I passed down my stubbornness and my nose, while she gifted me with her quick wit that leaves me in stitches. Most days, it feels like I’m reliving my youth as I navigate parenting her. We’ve shared my beloved books about Ramona, she enjoys playing dress-up in my closet just like I did in my mom’s, and we’ve hosted countless tea parties on rainy days. However, as she nears her teenage years, I’ve remembered some rather crucial things about being a teenage girl that had slipped my mind. It turns out she’s not all that different from me back when I sported acid-washed jeans and braces.

1. Teenage girls spend an astonishing amount of time in the bathroom.

At 12, I recall my brothers banging on the door, threatening to break it down while I enjoyed my long showers and hair styling sessions. I had completely forgotten about those bathroom skirmishes until I found my son sitting outside the bathroom door, engrossed in a book. When I asked what he was doing, he rolled his eyes and said, “I gave up banging on the door ten minutes ago. She’ll come out eventually.” I wish my brothers had shown that kind of patience!

2. Teenage girls need their moms to teach them the art of shaving.

After years of managing my leg hair, I forgot that the skill of shaving without injury doesn’t come naturally. Recently, I noticed my daughter had some underarm hair and suggested she start shaving. Her eyes widened in panic as she exclaimed, “With a razor? I’m not even allowed to use knives!” I’d completely forgotten my own struggle with balancing on the tub while my mother guided me through the process. (I hope my brothers now realize why I spent so long in there!)

3. Teenage girls NEVER. SHUT. UP.

As a teenager, I could talk my friends’ ears off for hours, about things I can’t even remember now. My parents once got a second phone line just to ensure they could call for help if needed. While I had a pink princess phone, my daughter has FaceTime, chatting endlessly with her friends about outfits and life. She talks to me, she chats with her dad, and the chatter never stops. I’m fairly certain I can hear my mother chuckling from the great beyond.

4. Teenage girls are anxious about their periods.

I vividly remember reading “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” and finding menstruation terrifying. I was worried about bleeding, ruining clothes, and — heaven forbid — boys discovering my secret. My daughter is equally terrified that she’ll bleed to death on her first visit from Aunt Flow. She even confused tampons for teepees, leading to a rather confusing and tearful conversation until I clarified her mistake. She was relieved to learn she didn’t have to insert a small Native American dwelling into her body!

5. Teenage girls cry over the smallest things.

Watching my daughter tear up over tricky shoelaces brings back vivid memories of my own teenage angst. The injustice of it all, the tears, and the simmering rage become hauntingly familiar as I see her lose it over hair not sitting right. And when the drama escalates to stomping and door slamming, I can’t help but think, my mother truly was a saint.

I’m certain these observations are just the beginning. As my daughter navigates the tumultuous waters of puberty, I’ll be reminded of my first crush, the challenges of parallel parking, and a myriad of other moments I had long forgotten. Watching her blossom into a beautiful young woman excites me, and I can’t help but think she’s becoming one of my closest friends. Just don’t let her know; she’d roll her eyes!

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Summary: As my daughter approaches her teenage years, I find myself rediscovering the realities of being a teenage girl. From bathroom battles to the anxiety surrounding periods and the endless chatter, these familiar experiences remind me of my own youth. It’s a journey down memory lane, filled with laughter and nostalgia as she grows into a young woman who is becoming one of my best friends.