Throughout the month of March, I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge. I am happy to co-host this event with the team at Two Writing Teachers. Everyone is welcome!
Our youngest daughter is going through the "like" phase. Like really. Like it's hard for me to listen to her talk. Like really hard.
Last week, we took her and a friend to a concert that was about an hour away. Maybe because they were so over-tired, maybe because they were so over-exhausted, maybe because their eardrums were so over-stimulated-- whatever the case... the number and the VOLUME of likes in her description of the concert almost inspired me to jump out of the car. I bit my lip hard to not say anything about it in front of her friend.
Last night, just my husband, Cecily, and I had dinner together. She had a lot to say about tennis tryouts and unfair math tests. And a lot of "likes" to go with it. At first, I listened and responded to the content, but then my grammar and syntax self got the better of me.
"Cec," I said. "You're using a lot of likes as you speak."
Teenage silence. Dramatic eyeroll.
"I'm just saying," I said. "It's just something you might want to be aware of."
"She's just trying to help you, Cec," Garth jumped in.
"Whatever."
I pointed out the fact that we didn't have an audience so it was LIKE the perfect time to point in out and work on it. I tried to weave in a compliment. "You have really important things to say, and it's hard to hear them between so many likes."
Continued Cecily silence.
Garth and I talked about something else-- I can't remember-- but after a few minutes, she couldn't maintain the silence.
In the middle of her sentence, though, she caught herself, went back, and told her story a little differently.
I like smiled.
Happy Slicing,
I can barely speak to my niece these days - our conversation is punctuated with "like" on her part, and me asking for clarification every time she says it. I just can't help it. I do fear we are fighting a losing battle, but please let's persist!
ReplyDeletePerfect ending!!! Boys don't use like -- they also don't talk that much. I would likely sacrifice some likes to get some more of can't maintain the silence. Loved how you told and I could feel you biting your tongue in the car -- I've been there for sure!
ReplyDeleteNavigating teenagers can be tricky and I think there's a win here for both of you. I had a similar story over the occasional swear word - there's a difference between home and friends. I found myself rejoicing when a different word was used instead and an apology came one day. It's fun to see their brains back up and rethinking something you're trying to help with.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile. Your description of the car ride and dinner table are well done. I can see imagine the biting of the tongue and the way in which you cautiously brought it up!
ReplyDeleteFantastic last line: "I like smiled"!!
ReplyDeleteOh, life with teenagers. I have also bit my tongue with my teenaged son. SO hard!