As a mom, I’ve told my daughter, Ava, plenty of stories from my childhood. Most of them were lighthearted and harmless—funny little moments meant to make her laugh or show her that I was once just as awkward and unsure as she is now. But I always trusted that those stories would stay between us.
That’s why I was mortified when I found out one of my most embarrassing childhood moments had made its way onto TikTok—complete with reenactments, dramatic music, and over 50,000 views.
The Story I Never Meant to Share Publicly
The story in question happened when I was 13. I was at a school dance, and in an attempt to impress my crush, I tried to do a cartwheel on the dance floor. Instead of landing gracefully, I crashed into the DJ table, knocking over the sound system and ending the music for the entire gym. Everyone laughed, and I wanted to sink into the floor.
Years later, it had become a funny family anecdote, something I told Ava so she’d know it’s okay to make mistakes and laugh at yourself. I never thought it would become viral content.
How I Found Out
It was a Saturday morning when one of my coworkers sent me a link with the message: “Is this you?!” I clicked it and nearly dropped my phone. There was Ava, in her bedroom, acting out my cartwheel disaster using a stuffed bear as “the DJ.” She’d added captions, a laugh track, and even slow-motion replay of “me” falling.
The caption read: “POV: Your mom at 13 trying to impress her crush 😂 #embarrassing #momstories”
The comments were full of strangers laughing, tagging their friends, and sharing their own embarrassing stories. Some were harmless, but others made jokes at my expense.
My First Reaction
I felt my face heat up—not just from embarrassment, but from betrayal. I’d shared that story in confidence. It was part of my personal history, not public entertainment.
When I went to talk to Ava, she was all smiles. “Mom! Did you see my TikTok? It’s going viral!”
“Yes,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “And I need you to take it down.”
She looked shocked. “Why? Everyone loves it. It’s just a joke!”
Why It Wasn’t “Just a Joke”
I told her, “That story is mine to tell. I shared it with you because I trust you, not because I wanted the whole world to hear it. Once something is online, you can’t control who sees it—or how they twist it.”
She rolled her eyes and muttered, “You’re overreacting. No one even knows it’s you.”
“That doesn’t matter,” I said. “It’s about respect. Some things from my past aren’t meant to be turned into content without my permission.”
The Bigger Issue
It wasn’t just about the cartwheel incident—it was about boundaries. Social media blurs the line between what’s private and what’s public, and Ava’s generation has grown up in a world where oversharing is the norm. But I wanted her to understand that consent applies here too.
Just like she wouldn’t want me posting embarrassing photos of her without asking, I didn’t want my stories shared without my okay.
The Resolution
After a long talk, Ava agreed to take the video down. She wasn’t happy about it, but I explained that this was about more than just one TikTok—it was about trust between us. “If you want to share a story about me in the future, ask first,” I told her.
A few days later, she came to me with an idea for a new TikTok—one that was funny but completely fictional. She asked if I’d help her film it, and I agreed. It was her way of showing she understood my point.
Moving Forward
Now, we have a new rule in the house: no posting personal stories or photos of each other without permission. It’s not about being controlling—it’s about respecting each other’s privacy in a digital world where once something is out there, it’s out there forever.
I still cringe a little when I think about how many people saw that TikTok before it was deleted, but I also know it opened up an important conversation about consent, even within families.
Final Thought: In an age where everything can become content, it’s easy to forget that some stories aren’t ours to share. Asking permission isn’t just polite—it’s a way of showing respect for someone else’s experiences and boundaries.
