6 Friday, December 4, 2020 brooklintowncrier.com Our Brooklin Kids By Leanne Brown Hidden gifts If you've ever tried to shop with a tween or teen, you know you're in for a long day. They're picky about clothes, which are expensive. They also get distracted by everything and get hungry or thirsty, needing a break. Another expense. I am there. My daughter likes to shop and, while we enjoy our trips to the mall, we haven't gone much this year. We've moved to online shopping due to Covid-19 so we're doing a lot of buy and return transactions. Online shopping may seem easier, but not so much when a tween or teen is doing it. You see, when shopping online, most clothing items are shown modeled by an attractive young person who doesn't look like your child. In her case, she wants to wear trendy styles, but they don't always fit. Own choices When you shop online together, you really get to see how your child feels about themselves or wants to appear. For instance, my daughter gravitates to clothes modelled by athletic-looking people, clothes made to move in. She's developing her own style and following her own likes rather than copying everyone else. So now that I'm holiday shopping, I've been asking her what she wants. Her holiday wish list is pretty definitive: hoodies, leggings, sweatpants, Lego, Harry Potter books and LED lights. But there are a few surprises in her online conversations. I've noticed some curious things in her browser history. She's been studying piano keys and has been talking to her grandfather about a piano keyboard. She's also been searching rock bands and asking her uncle about where to buy 80s bands posters, things I didn't even know she was interested in. While I wonder why she's not mentioned it to her Dad or I, I do think it's great she's asking her grandfather who's quite musical. A new side A quick chat with my dad revealed that he's looking to get her a beginner keyboard for Christmas. She hadn't told us as she wasn't sure we'd understand. She's discovering a new side to herself that she isn't yet ready to share. But I did suggest to her grandfather that headphones might be a good accessory to go with the keyboard. What have I learned by shopping online with her? I'm seeing how she sees herself, as an athlete, an artist and a smart young lady. She's become curious about makeup, fashion, musical theatre, math and coding. I also figured out what she's getting me for Christmas… Her thoughtful trinket isn't the real gift. It's what I've discovered about her that warms my heart. Sometimes we have to listen to what they're not telling us. So if you're Christmas shopping, be sure to look beyond that Santa list. You might just find a hidden gift.