Teenagers are constantly trying to keep up with their friends and peers at school when it comes to the latest fashion and hairstyles. My daughter is starting high school this year–scary for both of us, and the makeup and rainbow of colors some of her fellow classmates use in their hair are quite alarming.
S
he has dabbled in the experimentation of colors just a little bit. I struggled with whether or not I should say anything to her or just let it go and hope and pray it’s just a phase. She’s a beautiful girl (maybe I’m biased) but she doesn’t need a stitch of makeup or any funky hair color. The latest “trend”  (at least that I’ve noticed) is caking on thick eyeliner as though they have black angel wings above their eyelids paired with multicolored hair.

It’s definitely tempting to make suggestions on her hair or makeup, but I filter what I say– occasionally because I feel like I am dealing with a lion who might pounce at the wrong words. I approach her with a sweet graceful voice and make her think she came up with the idea and I go right along with her. Almost every week she is texting me, sending me pictures of different haircuts and colors she wants to attempt. My mother gave me a golden piece of advice, which she used on me when I was a charming teenager, she said, “pick your battles with her, let her figure out who she is, and she will come back to you someday just like you came back to me.” Wow, isn’t she right. I remember doing the same things and now my mother is one of my best friends.

What else can you do?

 –Try not to over-react. Sometimes teenagers just like to see how far they can push your boundaries. A good poker face comes in handy.

— If you really can’t stand the thought of your teenage daughter wearing make-up, strike a compromise. Hair color that washes out. Lighter lip glosses. Remember nothing is permanent—not even that attitude.

We all love our children and it’s difficult to witness them going through those hard teenage years. The trials we all went through with friends, trying to figure ourselves out. I wouldn’t want to go through that again. I know how hard it can be. Luckily my daughter is a good, smart, sweet girl and I have faith that she will make the right decisions on her path to adulthood.

Or at least I will stay hopeful for a positive outcome.