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I remember when I was in 7th or 8th grade I dressed up like a “punk rocker” for Halloween.
Fast forward (cough, cough) years and now I see a little bit of myself in the Vsco girl costumes that made a strong presence in the Halloween of 2019.
Whether or not you agree with me, I think there is a little VSCO in every American tween living in 2019. According to dictionary.com:
Stereotypes of the VSCO girl include wearing scrunchies and Birkenstock sandals, drinking out of Hydro Flask reusable water canisters, saying sksksk and I oop, and generally seeking attention online.
I see their scrunchies and remember having them myself. In fact, many of what they consider “must haves” bring back nostalgic memories.
This tender age, where hormones and super sensitive emotions collide, requires love and guidance – but in a much different way than this soul needed a few years ago.
I’m a strong believer in planting seeds and allowing people to bloom where they are planted. So in light of that, here’s my suggestions on how to embrace your tween exactly where she is, and also continue to plant seeds of faith and prayer along the way.
If you as a parent are concerned about the “seeking attention online” part of this trend, I highly recommend taking this online course as an individual and with your tween or teen daughter:
How to Be a Good Catholic on Social Media e-course
The truth is, all tweens and teens of every generation battle that “I want to be popular” temptation. Social media has added a layer new to parents and teachers. This is one tool that will help!
How to “evangelize” your Catholic Vsco Girl:
Celebrate some of the fun styles with them . . . and add a similar Catholic style.
Vsco girls love the Puravida waterproof bracelets.
Pair that bracelet with another gift from Mary With You. Mary With You’s Queen of Angels line matches exactly with the Pura Vida bracelet.
Inspired by the Rosary Litany. Each Collection of Mary With You’s Jewelry line is designed to help you practice a virtue.
Add Catholic VSCO stickers
An essential for every VSCO girl is a water bottle. This water bottle is good for the environment and is completely covered with fun stickers.
Here’s another nostaligic item that just makes me smile – stickers! The secular VSCO sticker scene is mainly filled with fun, positive messages for an age where self-esteem is attacked and not always in the best health. The great news is there are fantastic Catholic vinyl saint stickers out there that rival these in beauty and style. I wrote a whole list in Catholic Sticker Heaven: Your Ultimate Guide . . . Since the time of this post being published, it seems that even more vinyl stickers are being made every day! You can get a bundle at JustLovePrints on etsy!
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Replace Burts Bees with Catholic Lip Balm
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Discuss how some popular beliefs do not fall in line with our Catholic beliefs
One VSCO must have post listed crystals as an essential, but this article can help you with that discussion: Can Catholics use Crystals?
Don’t leave this discussion without talking about the healing power of prayer. The Rosary is a beautiful act of meditation, and even scientists agree that meditation can lower stress levels. Research has showed that students who meditate achieve higher grades than students who do not. Perhaps give your daughter a special rosary like on from the shop Healing Hail Mary’s
or from Faber Beads this rosary made with shells will totally resonate with the latest VSCO trend.
This beautiful rosary was inspired by tears that come from being moved by deep emotion. Tears of joy, tears of grief, tears of love. Tears mark the times through our lives that we are most deeply moved by love. This rosary is made of iridescent pearls and teardrop shells, featuring a Miraculous Medal centerpiece, and a highly detailed Marian crucifix–featuring roses, stars, crowns, and the Marian “M” symbol.
Talk more about that “save the turtles” quote
In a January 2010 address Pope Benedict 16 stated, “If we wish to build true peace, how can we separate or even set at odds, the protection of the environment and the protection of human life.”
Show them these stickers and shirts and see if they like them Save the baby humans turtle sticker. Talk about how precious and valuable all human life is. Ask them how they feel about serving others and what types of service they prefer. Remind them that God created the whole world for us to enjoy, but in return we are to serve Him.
Give your Catholic VSCO Girl the Be Yourself Journal
Whether your tween considers herself VSCO or not, she is in the trenches of wondering who she is and what she is meant to be. Surrounded by talk of “what I want to be when I grow up” and questioning where she fits in . . . girls headed towards young adulthood need the reminder that they are absolutely beautiful in God’s eyes and that each of them was created on purpose with a purpose. I’m so happy the Lord allowed me to be the pencil so that many young ladies will be able to use this book. Here’s a brief description of what’s inside
Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire!” Those words are at the heart of Be Yourself! A Journal for Catholic Girls, designed to help girls explore their identity and purpose with the help of their Catholic faith.
Packed with beautiful artwork, quizzes, journaling questions, inspirational quotes from seven female saints, and passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Scripture, the Be Yourself! journal is a fun way to help girls become the women God created them to be.
Want more help raising your Catholic Teen? Check out these posts:
Three Reminders Your Tween Daughter Needs
and How to Raise Great Catholic Teens . . .
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