No matter how old my girls are on their birthdays, there are a few things I know for sure. Even though they’re increasingly asking for oversized sweaters and makeup instead of toys, there’s one thing that will always be on their birthday lists: Squishmallows.
Don’t confuse Squishmallows with any old stuff. These cute, soft, furry toys with designs have been around since 2017, but their popularity really took off in 2020 and hasn’t faded. Kids and adults alike have turned to these adorable collectibles for comfort during the pandemic. my children infatuated. Honestly, the extent to which they collect this information is embarrassing and a little annoying. I don’t quite get it – although they do make great pillows – but I will never stop buying them for birthdays, holidays, and sometimes just because. That’s because I’m happy to support the part of them that still wants to be a kid, for as long as they need to.
Over the past few years, my daughters have begun a huge transition into their teenage years. I haven’t been in their shoes for a long time, but I still remember how exciting it was, but equally nerve-wracking. I remember when I was about 12 years old, I was so excited about getting a new art set. But it wasn’t necessarily cool or trendy at the time, so my excitement also made me feel embarrassed. It felt like I had to leave everything behind except low-rise jeans, body glitter, or chasing trends degrassi It feels overwhelming. I felt like something was wrong with me and I had to grow up quickly to adapt.
Unfortunately, while society has been able to move away from many less-than-ideal parts of the early 2000s, the pressure on children to grow up and mature as quickly as possible is not one of them. In some ways, it’s worse: Coping with the pressures of being a teenager and growing up in the online age is a unique challenge in itself. This is especially true for girls. Increasingly, they are expected to be young women with beautiful, impeccably trendy clothes and a 23-step skin care routine, but that’s not what they really want or need.
I asked my therapist how I could help my child through this difficult but ultimately rewarding time. She encourages me to celebrate and embrace all the changes we come across while also reminding them that everyone has different interests and just because they like something and their other friends don’t, like Ssquishmallows, doesn’t mean they If it brings them happiness, it must be given up.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if I found out that their friends or other people they know also enjoy spending time with these perfect stuffed animals. Squishmallow has a huge following of adult fans—who may even have fueled the craze—and it’s easy to see why. Sometimes you see Squishmallow hauling and hunting on social media, and it’s not just the kids who are having the fun. The craze for collecting these adorable creatures has been compared to the Beanie Baby craze of the 1990s, with collectors flocking to stores when new arrivals hit stores. Let’s be honest, from fun food items like “Tex the Taco” to fun animals like “Archie the Axolotl,” there’s a Squishmallow to catch everyone’s interest. They have everything from Disney themed characters to plague doctors. Talk about the complete opposite.
Maybe as they get older, Squishmallows will slip further and further down their wish list—or maybe not. Either way, I’ll always be ready to buy them one. They have grown up and matured, no longer caring about dolls and caring more and more about designer fanny packs, but I want to retain a little bit of happiness and childhood for them. Whether it’s comfort, ease, or just allowing them to still be a kid in a world where kids seem to be in a rush to grow up, I want them to know they don’t have to rush out and it’s all behind them. When they need a soft place to land after a rough day, I (and a giant peppermint mocha fudge named Martha) are waiting to talk, relax, and unwind.
Holly Garcia Writes about parenting, mental health, and all things lifestyle. She’s from the Midwest, where she raised her daughter and drank a lot of coffee.
