This afternoon my 12 year old wanted to go to the mall with a friend. Suffice to say, there were other ways I wanted to spend my day.
I often seem to struggle around what I want to do vs what she wants to do. Today I had a list of “should dos” as long as our driveway. However, as she approaches independence, I try to be sensitive to how tethered she still is to us and how much I liked the things she likes when I was her age.
Thus, I used this afternoon as an opportunity to turn my attitude into gratitude. We had a budget to spend (how lucky to have extra spending money), she still wanted me around and really, my ” should do” list could wait. As such, I grabbed my camera and decided that while they were in Abercrombie and Fitch, I’d sit on the comfy chairs, with all the guys waiting for their ladies, and see what creative pics came to me.
It didn’t take long before I noticed a trend. Teen girls shopping in packs. Everywhere I looked, I saw them. Walking together, talking together, texting together. It was as if once I noticed them, they were everywhere!
I started snapping pictures. From 10 years of age to who knows how old, they crawled the mall. I didn’t notice any boys poking in and out of the stores. Only girls. Any guys I saw were with girls or waiting for them. For 3 hours I sat there, and there was only one lone boy.
What is up with this? Why do so many young girls shop in groups? Let us know your theory. My mind is full of reasons. What are yours?
p.s. My clothes still smell like store perfume…
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