As I reminisce about my middle school days, I can’t help but wonder how kids today express their crushes. Was it through heartfelt notes with “yes” or “no” boxes? Or maybe it was writing on each other’s hands? Perhaps we gave out slap bracelets? Honestly, my memory is a bit hazy, which is disheartening since it was only the mid-90s. Wow—just did the math, and it’s been nearly three decades. Yikes!
Instead of dwelling on my junior high memories, let’s focus on the present. So, what’s the current trend among kids? Enter the scrunchie. Yes, those vibrant hair accessories that are making a comeback—originally popular in the 90s and now a staple for many middle school girls. It seems that if a girl has a crush on a boy, she gifts him one of her scrunchies, which he then wears around his wrist. This phenomenon gained attention thanks to a viral Facebook post by a North Carolina mom, Sarah Johnson, who shared a “PSA to ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRL MOMS!” Her post has garnered tens of thousands of shares, and she even appeared on Good Morning America to discuss it. Other moms across the country have reached out to thank her for unveiling this new scrunchie trend.
Sarah discovered several scrunchies in her laundry and, instead of jumping to conclusions or Googling the trend, she simply asked her son. In a surprising twist, he shared the scoop on this new middle school custom—an impressive feat given that most parents struggle to get honest communication from their tweens.
I happen to have a son who’s just shy of 13, and I’ve yet to see any scrunchies on his wrist. This leads me to wonder: Is he not as popular as I was back in the day, or is he a maverick who isn’t keen on this trend? Maybe he’s just not ready for these kinds of gestures, or possibly the trend hasn’t hit our Pacific Northwest area yet.
One thing is for sure: scrunchies are quite affordable. If I were in junior high today, I would have probably bought a few and claimed to have a secret admirer, reminiscent of Kevin from The Office.
Now, what happens when a middle school boy develops feelings for someone? According to Sarah, if a boy likes a girl, he tends to give her his hoodie. This isn’t particularly surprising. I still hope my high school ex will return my favorite hoodie someday. Melissa! If you happen to be reading this, it’s time to send that back!
As a dad, I do have some reservations about this hoodie trend. After all, scrunchies are cheaper than hoodies, and if my son starts giving away all his favorite ones, he’ll be in for a chilly winter! He’ll need to choose wisely.
What about crushes that don’t fit the traditional mold? I suspect the same tokens of affection—hoodies and scrunchies—apply universally, and I hope all kids feel appreciated, regardless of their orientation.
Interestingly, as soon as parents become aware of these trends, they seem to lose their cool factor. I remember when I discovered the term “YOLO” and suddenly it wasn’t cool anymore! Regardless, it’s nice to be in the loop. If your child comes home sporting a couple of scrunchies or a new hoodie, I suggest you keep your cool. Just smile knowingly, and let them enjoy their middle school experiences.
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Summary
In today’s middle school landscape, a scrunchie on a boy’s wrist often indicates that a girl has a crush on him. This trend, highlighted by a viral Facebook post from a mom, has sparked conversations among parents about how kids express their feelings. Additionally, boys tend to give hoodies as tokens of affection. As parents, it’s best to stay informed and let our children navigate these experiences on their own.
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