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- My kid called me cringe. I need to decide if that’s his problem or mine. (businessinsider.com)
When “Cringe” Comes Home: A Mom’s Encounter with Preteen Attitude
Alexandra Frost, a former high school teacher and mother of five, recently experienced a familiar rite of passage in parenting: being called “cringe” by her 11-year-old son. What began as a typical morning routine-standing in the driveway in pajamas, shooting hoops, and greeting neighbors-suddenly took a turn into the awkward terrain of preteen rebellion.
On this particular morning, as Alexandra cheerfully said hello to a neighbor’s child, her son shot back an exasperated “UGH, Mom. You’re so cringe.”
The comment caught her off guard, igniting a mix of surprise and a defensive determination to hold her ground. After all, she had always believed their relationship was strong enough to withstand the occasional eye-roll or teenage mood swing.
Drawing on her experience as an educator, Alexandra chose to pause before responding, continuing their basketball game. But when her son took his next shot, she blocked it with full enthusiasm-a small victory in reclaiming respect and connection, even if just for a moment.
Reflecting on the moment, Alexandra admits to having been naïve about this phase of parenting. She thought their bond would shield her from such blunt dismissals, yet she recognized that this was just the beginning of a new dynamic. Conversations with her husband and overheard remarks from her other children helped her realize that “cringe” is part of the evolving language-and relationship-between parents and preteens.
Instead of retreating or changing her behavior out of self-consciousness, Alexandra is embracing the challenge of navigating this stage with humor and resilience. She acknowledges that being labeled “cringe” doesn’t signal failure or disconnection but is a natural step in growing up-for both her kids and herself.
As her sons mature, Alexandra is learning to find her own balance between being “fully weird” and maintaining connection, understanding that parenting is an ongoing process of adaptation-and sometimes, a little bit of playful defiance.
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- My kid called me cringe. I need to decide if that’s his problem or mine. (businessinsider.com)