Middle School, the Not-So Worst Years of Your Life

Its hard to believe that my little girls are growing up so fast! Gianna turns 9 next week and Mia Rose is 6!!! These little divas certainly keep me on my toes and make life fun and quite adventurous. Thankfully, they are still innocent and think mommy is "cool." While I currently have power and authority over what they wear, the big bows and tutus are becoming minimal and almost non-existent . Realistically, I know these years are numbered. Hence, I thought it would be informative to sit down with a young teenager and get an idea of what this demographic is wearing nowadays, what stores they frequent and how much liberty their parents have bestowed upon them. Quite frankly, I am not ready to relinquish my fashion reign over my girls but I must face the inevitable!!!

I decided to reach out to our neighbor Samantha Harris. We have lived here for 7 years now and when we first arrived, Sam was only 6 years old! The same age as Mia now!! Adorable and sweet, Sam and her brother Joseph, are two of the most respectful and gracious young kids I have ever met! They eagerly and benevolently befriended my girls and have spent many hours entertaining and wrangling them in the backyard while I cook dinner or tend to laundry. They obviously get their kindness and well manners from their parents! Debbie and Brian, who have been nothing but wonderful since we moved in, are certainly raising AMAZING kids. I am fortunate enough to have neighbors like Sam and Joseph for my girls to emulate.

Sam, just shy of 13, is in 7th grade. She is a talented dancer, basketball player, and is extremely intelligent and creative. Her favorite subjects in school are English and Art and she aspires to be a physical therapist when she is older because she wants to help people. My heart just melts when I am with her! I tend to forget how old she is. Wise beyond her years, she is so relatable. A beautiful soul, inside and out, I was eager to sit down with Sam and see what she has been up to. The trials and tribulations of middle school can be rough, so I wanted to get her perspective. Those were some trying years and I am wondering if social media has only made them worse!!!She has been following my blog from the beginning and loves fashion, so I knew we would be a perfect match. I told Sam to come over after school and wear her favorite pair of jeans and bring a few tops. When my girls got wind of this meeting, they were ecstatic. Sam is a teenager and in their eyes this is equivalent to GOD! Operation: Teenage Fashion was underway.

I decided to conduct this particular blog post in an interview format. I thought it would be intriguing to sit down and ask questions and truly capture her insights and raw emotion firsthand. Let's Begin:

Firstly, how is middle school treating you?

Sam: Middle School was hard to adapt to at first. Switching classes took some getting used to but you eventually become more aware of your surroundings and it definitely tests your social abilities. You are introduced to so many new people. It's so much different from grammar school where you are with the same group of students in one room all day. I have made a lot of new friends. It's challenging at times, but I try not to let stress get to me. I like to remain calm.

When did your parents allow you to start making your own fashion decisions? Was it an easy transition?

Sam: Up until 3rd grade my mom made the decisions on what I wore. She wanted to make sure things weren't too tight or too short. At the end of third grade I wanted my own say and chance to express myself. She monitored me while I was shopping and made sure I didn't pick out anything inappropriate. I wasn't shopping just to shop or for fun but rather picking things that I really wanted. I wanted to prove to my mom I was responsible and mature enough. Even now, my mom still makes sure I leave the house looking age appropriate. I learned to dress myself through experimenting with colors. It has gotten easier as I have matured.

What stores do you frequent?

Sam: I like Kohl's because they have great accessories. I also love Abercrombie, Aeropostale, and Forever 21 because they are fun. I am pretty busy right now, so I do a lot of online shopping. Every so often my mother and I will check things out at the mall. I would say that I go shopping around two times a month. When I am stressed, I feel like I have nothing to wear but for the most part I feel satisfied with my wardrobe and have enough to choose from.

How would you describe your style?

Sam: I would say that I am clean, classy, and comfortable. A typical outfit for me would be skinny jeans, boots, and a cute sweater or t-shirt to match my personality.

Is your style similar to your friends? If not, how so?

Sam: Well, a lot of my friends wear long flowy tops with leggings. Some are also more colorful and vibrant to match their personalities. I opt for more simple items to match mine.

Does fashion play a big role in your daily life?

Sam: For the most part I would say yes. When I am dressed up I feel better. On gloomy days I get dressed to brighten my mood. Clothes make me feel good!

Do you feel pressure to look good or keep up with the latest trends?

Sam: My mom has always told me to be myself and it has stuck with me. Since starting middle school, I broke out of my shell and met a ton of new friends. Being myself and dressing the way I want has helped me grow and branch out. I never feel the need to compete or get what others have. I like being me.

Now that you are in middle school, have the girls become more competitive and placed more emphasis on what they wear and how they look?

Sam: Some girls care more than others and can judge and get mean. For me, I just shrug it off and block it out. . My group of friends and I don't care what others think. We just want to be the best versions of ourselves.

Does social media impact the way you look?

Sam: Sometimes it boosts my confidence when someone leaves me a positive comment on Instagram but for the most part I am not affected. Some of the other kids in my grade are more aware of social media and have become more cautious. They are becoming obsessed. My friends and I really don't pay too much attention.

What would you say is the biggest trend for girls your age right now??

Sam: Comfy sweatpants from Pink or Forever 21 with logos on them and a cute shirt are pretty popular. A lot of girls wear leggings, high boots, and sweaters very often. Converse sneakers are very popular and we all love ripped jeans. Pink is a huge trend for the girls who are "shopping obsessed." I admire their clothes but never feel intimidated or feel that I have to have it. I like my individual style.

Phew! It certainly was refreshing to see that middle school is no longer the worst years of your life and there are still some teenagers unhindered by the effects of social media!! Samantha Harris is a wonderful representation of a young teenager in the year 2017 that is grounded, responsible, respectful, and very fashionable too. I learned a lot from this young woman today. Be the best version of you and your personal style will always shine through!