As I sit here reminiscing about my middle school days, I can’t help but wonder how kids expressed their crushes back then. Was it through a simple note that asked, “Will you be my girlfriend?” with a “yes” or “no” option? Maybe we wrote messages on each other’s hands or traded slap bracelets? Honestly, the specifics are a bit fuzzy, and now I realize that was quite a while ago—24 years to be exact—yikes!
But the real question is: what are kids doing today to show affection? Enter the scrunchie. Yes, those vibrant hair ties that were all the rage in the ’90s are back, and they’ve taken on a new role. If a girl in junior high likes a boy, she might give him one of her scrunchies to wear on his wrist. This revelation came to light thanks to a viral Facebook post by North Carolina mom, Sarah Thompson, who shared a “PSA to ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRL MOMS!” Her post resonated with thousands and even caught the attention of Good Morning America, leading to an influx of grateful messages from moms across the country who were curious about this scrunchie phenomenon.
Sarah discovered several scrunchies in her laundry and—like any proactive parent—decided to ask her son rather than jumping to conclusions or consulting the internet. To her surprise, he filled her in on this trend. Honestly, it’s commendable that he opened up, as many parents don’t always get that level of honesty from their preteens, who often respond with eye rolls and requests for snacks.
As a parent of a son who’s just shy of 13, I’ve yet to see any scrunchies on his wrist. This leaves me with several interpretations: perhaps he’s not the most popular kid, or he might simply be a nonconformist who isn’t interested in the latest trends—or maybe this scrunchie craze hasn’t reached our region yet. One thing’s for sure: scrunchies are affordable, and if I were a junior high student today, I’d likely buy a few and claim to have an admirer from another school, not unlike Kevin from The Office.
So, how do boys express their feelings? According to Sarah, “If a boy likes a girl, he gives her his hoodie.” This revelation makes perfect sense and isn’t surprising. Side note: I’m still waiting for my high school ex to return my favorite hoodie—it’s been too long!
Now, as a dad, I do have some reservations about this hoodie exchange. While scrunchies are inexpensive, hoodies can be pricier. If my son starts giving away his hoodies, he’s going to face a chilly winter, as I won’t be replacing them anytime soon. He’ll need to be discerning.
What happens when these crushes don’t fit into traditional gender norms? I suspect the same gestures apply: scrunchies and hoodies to signal fondness, and I hope those tokens are received warmly.
Now that we’re clued into this scrunchie and hoodie dynamic, it might lose its cool factor—much like how I felt when I learned about “YOLO.” But regardless, it’s nice to be in the loop. If your child comes home sporting scrunchies or a previously-owned hoodie, I recommend keeping it to yourself and letting them navigate their middle school lives.
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In summary, the scrunchie trend among middle schoolers is a modern way for kids to express their feelings. While it may seem trivial to adults, it speaks volumes about how young people navigate relationships today. Understanding these trends can help parents connect better with their children during these formative years.
Keyphrase: scrunchies on boys’ wrists
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