Last week, I wrote about a comment someone made to my 13-year-old daughter and me, saying we look like we could be sisters. While it’s true that I’ve only got about an inch in height on her and her shoes are now bigger than mine, in many ways, she’s still my little girl.
Let me re-phrase that in case she’s reading this: She may not be a little girl anymore, but she’ll always be my baby.
I came across a fascinating article at Forbes.com recently about “best-friend moms.” According to the article, “best-friend moms” are those moms who slide out of the mother role and into the pal role as their teenage daughters get older. As I read the piece, I had to stop and reflect for a moment: Is that me?
Nah.
My relationship with my daughter is certainly changing as she gets older. We laugh about different things now and talk about topics I’d have waited until she left the room to discuss just a few years ago. I consider us close, but there’s not a doubt in my mind – or in hers – that I’m still capable of doling out the discipline when I need to.
That’s a good thing. She has plenty of friends. But I’m it in the mom department.
I took her shopping just yesterday to a store that specializes in trendy items. As we walked across the parking lot, I thought maybe I’d take a quick look to see if I could find something for myself, too. One look at the store’s displays changed my mind; I saw so many items that looked like they’d been plucked from the 80s and you know what they say: If you wore it the first time it was trendy, you shouldn’t be wearing it the next time.
I’m joking, of course, but there’s a grain of truth to it, too. Part of aging gracefully – and setting a healthy body image example while doing it – is embracing who you are today. I’m all for being stylish and hip, but I don’t need to dress like a teenager to do it.
My daughter doesn’t need a mom who can prove that she’s still cool enough to wear all the latest trends and shop in the juniors department, too. What she needs is a mom who’ll show her what healthy confidence looks like at any age.
That’s the mom I want to be.
