When Your Teenager Discovers Hair Tools

Forty minutes. FORTY MINUTES she’s been in that bathroom with the hair straightener while I’m out here doing what can only be described as the bladder dance.

When Your Teenager Discovers Hair Tools

Sophie has discovered that her naturally wavy hair can be transformed into pin-straight perfection, and apparently this requires the dedication of a neurosurgeon and the time commitment of a small home renovation project.

The hair straightening process in full swing

I can hear the sizzle of the straightener through the door, punctuated by the occasional “almost done, Mom!” which we both know is a lie. She’s been “almost done” for the last twenty minutes. Meanwhile, I’m calculating whether I can make it to the powder room downstairs or if that’s admitting defeat in this particular mother-daughter standoff.

When negotiation turns to pleading

The negotiations have moved from polite requests to desperate pleading. “Sophie, honey, I will literally pay you to let me in for thirty seconds.” The response? “This section is being stubborn, Mom. Five more minutes.” Five minutes in Sophie-time is approximately seventeen minutes in real-time, for those keeping track.

Victory for Sophie, relief for Elena

Victory! The door finally opens and Sophie emerges with hair so straight it could be used as a ruler, looking incredibly pleased with herself. I rush past her like my life depends on it, which at this point, it basically does. She calls after me, “See? Totally worth the wait!” And you know what? Looking at that perfectly straight hair, I have to admit she’s not wrong. Still using the downstairs bathroom next time though.