Thursday, February 7, 2013

Really, Mom?

One day about a year ago I was driving in my car and this new song came on that I really liked. I looked to the handy dandy display on my car's radio where it tells me who's singing and it read: COLDPLAY FEAT RIHANNA. When I got home, I told my daughter (13 y.o.) about this cool new song from Coldplay (she's a fan) and Rihanna and some group named Feat. Yeah. I really want to be kidding, but I'm not.

Of course she didn't miss a beat, rolled her eyes, and said, "Really, Mom?"

Doesn't she look thrilled to be taking a picture with me?

A number of months ago one of my CP's told the rest of our group about this cool new slang the kids were using these days: toads. Like as in short for "totally". Ex: I am toads going to finish my book today because I am toads amazing. Trendy writers for teens as we were, we started using said new word everywhere, including online. Then the teen CP of our group who shall not be named finally emailed us and said, "Guys, it's totes, not toads." Yep.

Glutton for punishment that I was, I told my daughter about it. Eyes=rolled. "Really, Mom?"

I never thought I'd be the embarrassing mom, you know? The one that dances awkwardly in the car to a song she loves, wears a Jacob t-shirt to the latest Twilight movie, posts embarrassing pictures of her kids on her blog...wait. Um.

So when my daughter's BFF came over after school and said my daughter told everyone at school about FEAT and TOADS, I thought--maybe I'm not embarrassing her after all. Then the BFF said she couldn't stop laughing all day long about it.

Hmm.

That's okay. I may not be the coolest mom in the world, but I'm me, and that's what counts, right?

Maybe if my radio shortened "featuring" to "ft." like this youtube video title, I wouldn't have been so clueless. Or would I have wondered why there was a unit of measure involved in this song? Why'd  you have to go and throw water on my flame?

24 comments:

Sheena-kay Graham said...

I'm still in love with this video. The song gets played over and over on my mp3 player. The pic is sweet and your daughter sounds great. Sorry about the feat thing, but at least it's something that can be laughed at. It's when the teen bursts into your room sobbing that there's truly a problem.

Loved this post, so funny yet heart warming.

Tonja Drecker said...

I SO know that eye roll! With a nice ... I don't know how to even spell it, but that exasperated, sigh with a slightly high-pitched 'uh'. Hey, your daughter is smiling in the picture and not rolling her eyes. That's a plus :)
How old is she? (mine's 13, going on 14)

Kyra Lennon said...

Haha, you're so awesome! This made me giggle - especially the "toads" thing!

Francene Stanley said...

I'm not sure a mother is required to keep up with the latest fad words. Are they important? No. They are designed to keep kids segregated and in a click of their own. I guess they want to stay that way. I know I did. hehe.

S.P. Bowers said...

Love this post. I'm 'tote'ly going to be the crazy embarrassing mom. My daughter is only two and she already rolls her eyes like a pro. I mean, who taught her that???

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hey, at least she knows you're trying! And your involved in her life. That's the greatest gift you could give her.

DRC said...

hee hee. I don't have kids and somehow still envision myself as a hip teen (except for the expanding waistline and few greying hairs), so imagine my disappointment when I talk to my neice and realise just how un-hip I really am...lol. Life creeps up on you and slips by and with a blink of an eye you're suddenly classed as old and not with it. When did that happen? :)

Anonymous said...

Great to read most enjoyable.

Yvonne.

David P. King said...

That song rocks my world.

This is why it's almost essential to create your own slang for MG stories. Use the ones today will date you, since they change. Toads? Never in a million years would I think that would be a popular slang. It will be interesting when my kids are that age. :)

ilima said...

Sheena-kay-It is a great song. And yes, I am good about laughing at myself.

Tonja-Mine's 13 going on 14 too. Age of the eye-roll, I guess. :)

Kyra-Yes, it's the attempt at cool that counts, right?

Francene-I agree, but since I write for teens, I try to make an effort. Apparently not a very good one. :)

S.P.-Two! Oh boy, good luck!

Alex-I think she'll look back one day and realize that, at least.

DRC-It's funny how I've never felt old, no matter my age. I wonder how long that will last?

Yvonne-Thanks for stopping by.

Kathryn Purdie said...

I will never stop saying "toads." It's way cooler than "totes" anyday!! Haha. I love these stories and your daughter's reactions. I've gotten to the point where I go out of my way to embarrass my almost 14-yr-old daughter. *laughs evilly*

Jess said...

We've gotten many the eye roll from our teenage kids :) I'm wondering what the slang will be when my newborn is my stepdaughter's age of seventeen. I'm sure I'll embarrass her quite a bit :)

ilima said...

David-I hate making up slang in my books. I still do it, but it's hard.

Katie-You are toads right. It IS toads cooler than totes.

Jess-I know I was an avid eye roller as a teen, and now it's payback, I guess. :)

Rebecca Barrow said...

This cracks me up so much! Totes hilair ;)

jaybird said...

Ha ha ha- I thought I was the only one who got the "Really, mom?" with the big eye roll. Your daughter is so beautiful, she looks a lot like her momma :)

I embarrass my girls ALL the time. I don't even go out of my way and try to, I'm just being me. (OK even I'll admit I'm a whole lot to take in sometimes) At a Halloween party back in October I hit an all-time embarrassing high-according to Faith. When my daughter's classmates didn't know how the dance to "Gangnam Style", I busted the moves for them. And broke the ice!! Everyone danced after that. Faith is still mortified. All her friends told her to get over it, because they love me. They think I'm the shiz. (Although, none of them have to live with me, LOL)

Unknown said...

I thought I was cool. And then I had kids.

Great post and song!

Rachel said...

I like toads better!
Apparently my 12yo daughter's friends think I'm cool. But whenever they come over, they barely make eye contact and certainly don't talk to me! When I asked my daughter why they do this, she said she warns them before they come over that I won't put up with disrespect. Ha! So do they think I'm the cool, crazy mom who'll go off if they look at me wrong? This age is too funny!

ilima said...

Rebecca-LOL. :)

Jen-Somehow I knew you'd relate to this post, haha.

Rachel-Kids have a knack at putting us in our place, don't they?

Rachel-I like it better too. I don't think I'm every gonna stop using it. It puts a smile on my face every time. :)

Nick Wilford said...

Thanks for the laugh! This was a hilarious post. And that Feat are a busy bunch. They pop up in so many songs!

Tammy Theriault said...

They have a language all their own...I see it on the kid shows and think oh crap that is not rad, hip to the jive, or coolio.....:-D

ilima said...

Nick-So glad my embarrassment is your joy. :) Hehe.

Tammy-No kidding. It's impossible to keep up.

Morgan said...

Oh my GOSH. I am totally laughing!!!!

And your daughter is gorgeous!

I'll have a teenager in a few years---hopefully she'll be able to help me with the lingo :)

Michelle D. Argyle said...

That is one of my favorite songs. :) And you are adorable. :D

Unknown said...

"Really Mom?" thanks for toads embarrassing me :)