As a mom to a preteen and teenager, embarrassing my daughters happens on a daily basis. It’s pretty easy, and not as hard as it looks. In fact, it’s nothing new. Moms have been embarrassing their children since the stone age. I’m pretty sure at some point Pebbles rolled her eyes at Wilma who was probably just trying to be a good mom. Maybe she parked too close to Bedrock High School at drop off or something.

I find new ways to embarrass my daughters every single day. Sometimes with little or no effort. (Most times I don’t even know what I have done.)  If you don’t have a teenager, you probably have no idea what I am talking about. If you are new to the teen scene, hold on tight and put on your seat belt, because the ride is about to get a little bumpy.

Let me help give you a few ways to help get you started:

1. TALK TO THEM.
   At the grocery store, the mall or any public space will do. Teen will most likely sigh and roll their eyes and proceed to tell you EVERYONE CAN HEAR YOU. (Even though you are talking in your regular voice.) It doesn’t matter that they cannot. They might know someone in the grocery store and they will see you talking to her and that apparently is bad. Because they will then know you are their mom.
2. WEAR MOM CLOTHES.
   Really anything you typically might wear could be considered mom clothes, because you are, well a mom. The stereotypical “mom uniform” or yoga pants, I wear every weekend are not hip. I know that. But they are comfortable. My pre-teen begs me to wear heels while doing errands, but no can do. The weekends are time for me to be relaxed, and heels are not relaxing for me.
3. SING IN THE CAR.
   This is just so easy. They love this. Seriously. Especially if they have friends in the car with them. This is a perfect time to sing Madonna’s greatest hits. Dance moves optional.
4. BRING ATTENTION TO YOURSELF.
   Teens love when their moms do this. Whatever works. Talk to strangers (see #1 above), sing in the car (see #3), or dance in public. This is a good one. You can also dance in public or laugh really loud. They love that.
5. YELL “I LOVE YOU” OUT THE WINDOW WHEN DROPPING THEM OFF AT SCHOOL.
   *Save for extreme cases only* I usually only use this one if one of them forgets to say these three little words. I think I have only had to do this once to each of them before they realized I was really going to do this. Yep, out the window

If all else fails. Hug your teen in public. THIS IS THE BEST. The good news is no matter what we do or don’t do, moms are usually successful in all areas of embarrassment. It’s our job to love them AND with that comes the occasional embarrassment. Good news is they will not be a teen forever, but we can totally rock yoga pants forever.