No, Mom!

So to amuse myself at work, I've subscribed to daily emails from the New York Times since they've blocked fun sites like Facbook, AIM, and YouTube. It's actually really interesting, and it makes me feel smart and grown up reading it. Today (or technically, yesterday) one of the featured articles concerns one of the aforementioned sites: Facebook.

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/when-your-kid-wont-friend-you/?8ur&emc=ur

Ah, Facebook. The fast-growing social networking site that's infecting every man, woman, and child (over the age of 13, of course). So much so, that even my parents are on it. Okay, I basically had to encourage my mom to join (my mom's friends in the Philippines insisted), and it was no surprise that my dad, the photographer, joined. I think people of any age that can use the internet should use Facebook to connect with friends near and far, so I was glad that my parents are part of it.

Then came a day I wasn't expecting. So I got to my home page on FB and I see "1 Friend Request". ME?! Someone wants to be MY friend? Ohmigossssshhhhhh. I feel so frakkin important! Then...I see it's my mom. Okay, I'll think about it--no. My mom got a bit offended when she asked why I didn't say "yes". Simple answer: you have your life, and I have mine.

My mom and I are not the Gilmore Girls, far from it. When I was younger, my mom worked an office job while being a professional dancer, which made me grow up with the nanny and the TV being my moral compass. I turned out fine (I hope), and gained some sense of independence of responsibility of self at a young age. But my mom and I ARE NOT friends.

If I were to friend my mom on Facebook, I will prevent her from seeing my status, my pictures, and my wall, so I shouldn't accept at all. It's less work for me. I love my mom, I do. But with all her ridonkulous rules (which she threw out for my sister) growing up, I lie constantly so that I can have a part of my life where I can just do whatever I want, doing things at my own discretion without having to wonder if my mother is watching my every move. We were never friends--those who talk on a personal level (she only knows one of my friends from the 8 1/2 years we've been in this country)--why start now? Damage is done.

But seriously, read the comments below the article. F'n hilarious! If my mom tried to read my emails, texts, and FB messages, I would torture her. BOTTOM LINE: Parents are not required to be friends with their kids. They are however, required to keep an eye on them without being all STALKER.