Despite her persistent pleas, my daughter, Ava, is still without a cell phone. Surprisingly, I seem to be the only parent of a soon-to-be sixth grader holding the line. She often grumbles about the restrictions I place on her—like which PG-13 films she can watch and what’s considered suitable attire for school. At 11, I remind her that there’s plenty of time for those things, and not enough for just enjoying childhood.
However, as she attempts to assert her independence, I want to support her. Last summer, I took her to my salon for some eye-catching highlights, and she has begun staying home alone. She also enjoys the freedom to choose her reading materials. When she requested access to Pinterest, despite my ban on social media, I agreed—on the condition that I could follow her account.
I’m so thankful I did. As she matures, I’ve come to realize that I only catch glimpses of who she is becoming. Following her on Pinterest has revealed aspects of her personality that I never fully appreciated.
1. Her Style is Impressive
When Ava was a baby, I spent a small fortune on trendy outfits from brands like Gymboree and Tea Collection. Until she turned six, she refused to wear anything other than dresses. Then, in first grade, she suddenly declared that jeans were the only acceptable clothing. Now, she prefers athletic shorts and tees year-round, limiting dresses and skirts to special occasions only.
As she’s grown taller, I secretly hoped she might show interest in borrowing my clothes. However, her Pinterest boards showcase her unique flair—filled with stylish nail art, quirky hairdos, and even earrings shaped like tiny jars of Nutella. She’s always had a creative side, and it’s wonderful to see it blossom. If only she would apply that creativity to her wardrobe choices.
2. She’s More Mature Than I Realize
I’m fully aware that Ava is growing up, but the version of her I see at home often still clings to childhood—like her collection of plush animals. I catch glimpses of her future teenage self when she dances at birthday parties or sends texts on her iPod Touch. Yet, she still snuggles in my bed each morning, seeking her daily hug.
Her Pinterest boards reveal a different side of her. One board features “Teenager Posts,” including quotes like, “Do you ever just get a random burst of motivation to clean your room, write a novel, or paint a masterpiece at 3 a.m.?” It’s hard to believe she’d wake up at that hour, but I love that she dreams of such inspiration.
3. She Might Not Be as Grown-Up as She Thinks
Another one of her pins reads, “Hearing noises when home alone and just accepting that you’re going to die.” After months of campaigning to stay home alone while I took her younger brother to gymnastics, I now wonder if she might not be as brave as she believed.
4. Her Movie Taste Mirrors Mine
Her movie board is packed with Marvel films like The Avengers, which she adores. I was pleased to find she also pinned movies like Pitch Perfect and Legally Blonde, films we’ve enjoyed together. While I’m not a fan of superheroes, I love that our shared interests extend to books as well. We’ve started reading the same titles so we can have discussions about them, creating our own little two-person book club during our beach trips.
5. She Has a Great Sense of Humor
Ava may groan at my jokes more often than she laughs, but her humor shines through on Pinterest. It turns out we share a love for similar memes, like Grumpy Cat and the “You Had One Job” posts. As we approach the challenging teen years, I’m optimistic that our mutual appreciation for humor will help us navigate any bumps along the way.
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In summary, following my daughter on Pinterest has opened my eyes to her evolving interests and personality, from her unique sense of style to her shared interests in movies and humor. As she grows, I look forward to continuing our connection through the things that inspire her.
Keyphrase: Parenting insights from Pinterest
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