Sorry, Mom!

Every daughter’s worst nightmare is the thought of turning into her mother. I had no plans having kids myself, so surely it would never happen to me. Nope. I am, in fact, turning into my mother.

A classic Shawn Taylor mom-ism was “TV sucks your brains out.” She said it so often that it became a family joke. Back then, I thought she was just being silly. I could not understand why she was so concerned—your brains could not literally be sucked out of your head from watching TV, after all. But as much as I rolled my eyes at her, she might have been onto something.  

Now that I am an adult and working as an au pair, I have discovered just how right she was. The kids I care for love watching TV, especially videogame walkthroughs on YouTube. I have caught myself wondering, What in the world are they watching? Maybe I am a 24-year-old Boomer who just does not get it, but I hear my mother’s voice in my head, saying, “TV sucks your brains out.”  

It is not just the kids, though. I have noticed how much my own habits mirror what my mom used to warn me about. My mom set strict screen limits for us as kids—one hour on weekdays, two hours on weekends. I hated those limits. They felt unfair at the time because all I wanted was to watch TV or play video games all day. But now, as an adult, I wish someone would impose those same rules on me.  

My phone has become the modern equivalent of the TV I loved so much as a child. It is always within reach, constantly scrolling through social media or binge-watching YouTube channels. Even though I try to set limits for myself, it is all too easy to get sucked in. I miss the structure my mom provided, the boundaries that felt so restrictive back then but now seem like a gift.  

Honestly, I would welcome all the rules I used to give my mom grief about. Take away my phone. Take away my tablet. Hand me a book to read instead. Give me a set bedtime, or better yet, force me to go outside to get some exercise. My health would appreciate it.

So yes, I am becoming my mother, and I do not think that is the worst nightmare. All of this to say, “Sorry, Mom! Please bring back those rules.”