Keep It This Way

My daughter watches quite a number of shows from Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. I want to know what she's watching so more often than not I join her while she's glued to the tube. It's like meeting who her friends are, what she's up to or what she's engaged with at the moment. I want to know why these shows interests her. And oftentimes, subtly, I give my two cents about the characters. One good thing is it's clear with my daughter that these are just shows. When I react to a scene, she will tell me, "Mommy, it's what on their script, it's just a show". I see that's a good sign separating these glossy characters from reality.

More than Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy, I am more familiar with Hannah, Miranda Cosgrove of iCarly, Selena Gomez of Wizards of Waverly, Mr. Bean, Fairly Odd Parents, Spongebob, etcetera. I also got to know Zach and Codie and got so fond of London, the bratty but funny daughter of Tiptone Hotel owner from The Suite Life of Zach and Codie. I know Zach Efron's birthday. I find myself arguing with my daughter that Ashley Tisdale is a lot better than Vanessa Hudgens. I like Ashley!

And when we watch, we identify each others' quirks from one of the characters. I ask her sometimes if I am as cool as the mommy characters she's watching. She said sometimes I am when I am not being grumpy and only if I will lose some weight. Ouch.

I also find myself researching why this tween band is called The Naked Brother's Band. It's one of my daughter's favorites. I feel uncomfortable with the name. But I came to know the story behind it. But I still wish they have a different name but let me not make that a big deal.

One time my daughter and I were in a record store and I asked the sales lady if they have a CD of The Naked Brothers Band. Obviously, she doesn't know that these are composed of kids ages 10 to 15. She was looking at me like I was desperately asking for a strip teasing sort of male group.

These days my ears (and hubby's too) are bleeding with the music of Jonas Brothers. These kids are like the Menudo of the 80s. My daughter and I laugh at their outfits. Skinny jeans, colorful ties, uncombed hair...so 80s I tell my daughter. But she loves them. Hubby abhors them. I'm neutral.

Because of my daughter too, I called up Sky Cable to ask when Camp Rock will be aired here in the Philippines. I get excited when she's excited. Unfortunately they don't have a play date here yet. My daughter is eagerly waiting for it. It stars The Jonas Brothers and her current favorite, Demi Lovato. Camp Rock is said to be as big as High School Musical. I don't think so. :D

I just feel good that my daughter is open about the things that interests her. I know that when she gets older and in her teens, there will be other interests that might get her attention. It's good to start early, bonding, girl talks. I intend to stay this way with her. Be cool about the things she loves, so to speak. Appreciate her taste. Understand her point of view, where she's coming from. Bottom line is being open to each other is a key success factor for our mother-daughter relationship. We'll keep it this way. :)