In her book, STFU, Parents, blogger Blair Koenig takes a sharp look at the “jaw-dropping, self-indulgent, and occasionally rage-inducing” phenomenon of parental oversharing on social media. From cringe-worthy humor to competitive posts where parents try to outdo each other, Koenig doesn’t miss anything. Here, we dive into how parents of teenagers still manage to overshare, despite supposedly knowing better.
Most parental oversharing tends to revolve around babies and toddlers, primarily because those updates come from parents of younger kids. However, once kids hit their teen years, many parents become more discreet, having learned to navigate this tricky landscape without broadcasting every detail. That said, there are still plenty of oversharers out there, and if you’re older than eleven, you can likely guess the types of things they’re posting.
Teen life often revolves around topics like first periods, boys discovering themselves in the shower, and the awkwardness of body hair. Thankfully, fewer parents are posting about these experiences, given that teenagers now have their own social media accounts and can easily see what their parents share. For those unfortunate teens whose parents do share these intimate moments, I wish I could reassure them that such awkward experiences are universal.
Imagine if my mom had hired a skywriter to announce, “Maria’s First Period!!! She’s a woman now!!!” back when I was in middle school. It would have been completely inappropriate! Thankfully, my mom would never dream of broadcasting my private moments online, which makes me feel sympathy for those whose parents do just that.
Raise your hand if you long for your mom to send out a digital newsletter when you hit those awkward milestones. I know I do.
Take for instance the post from Lisa, who proudly shared that her son Noah is on the brink of becoming a bearded wonder. “Noah just got his first chin hair at eleven! Just wait until he’s rocking a full beard like grandpa by summer!” she exclaimed. While Lisa’s tone suggests she realizes how silly this is, she obviously hasn’t grasped the unspoken rule that prohibits parents from discussing their teens’ body hair online. Just because Noah mentioned his armpit hair to Lisa doesn’t mean he wants her to broadcast it. I almost want to rebel for him and suggest some wild hair dye or piercings just to reclaim his teenage dignity!
Then there’s Rachel, who boasts about how her son feels comfortable discussing his “showering” habits with her. Well, not anymore! Can’t these parents see that their kids—and all their friends—have social media accounts, too? Discussing their adolescents’ personal routines online is worse than sharing baby photos. This is how social revolutions start!
Excerpted from STFU, PARENTS: The Jaw-Dropping, Self-Indulgent, and Occasionally Rage-Inducing World of Parent Overshare by Blair Koenig, used with permission from Perigee, a division of Penguin Random House. Copyright © 2013.
In summary, while many parents of teens have learned to rein in their social media posts, a few still miss the mark. This can lead to embarrassing and cringe-worthy moments for their children. If you’re interested in fertility tips, check out this post on boosting fertility supplements. For those considering home insemination, the Cryobaby Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit Combo is a great option from an authority on the topic, and you can find excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination here.
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