Playing Dress Up
I am a teenager and my mom is kind of famous on Instagram and blogging. She had a mommy blog all when I was growing up and of course, my sister and I were always involved. It sucks because there’s so much out there about us and it’s what’s gonna come up when I’m looking for a job, when I’m dating, when anyone looks up my name. So I came up with an ingenious plan.
I found a website that will print custom jackets, print all over the front and back and arms…and I ordered some hoodies that say a bunch of phrases all over them. “No photos,” “no videos,” “I do not consent to be photographed,” “no means no,” “respect my privacy,” “no cameras,” “no profiting off my image.” It sounds silly but it looks pretty sick actually.
I got one for me and one for my nine-year-old sister who has also started to not always want photos. I guess the idea is that my mom can’t take good-looking pictures, even candid ones, with us in the hoodies without them having a pretty strong message that we don’t want to be in pictures. My mom was mad when they showed up, and really mad whenever I wear mine. Like she says she just wants pictures to remember my young years by, she won’t post ones without asking
But I know that’s a whole mess anyway; she always says that and then negotiates me into letting her post, like either by saying that’s how she makes income, so if I want money for something to stop arguing about pictures. Or posting without asking and then saying I thought it would be ok because you’re face wasn’t visible, you’re just in the background, etc.
And I’m always like “No, you didn’t THINK. If you thought at all you’d remember what I said I want. No new pictures of me or mentions of me online. Remove all pictures that include me that you’ve ever posted, and delete any writing that mentions me.” I am just so fed up, and upset that my mom is mad at me for wearing my new hoodie every day.
She’s mad I won’t take it off for any event and thinks it’s inappropriate to wear to certain things.