Teen Obsession

OK-so I know this isn't the perfect spot for this post, but I'm familiar with this forum so I'll post here. I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not! Probably not, but I am just asking for opinions. My 16 year old daughter is absolutely obsessed with the Twilight Series books. Does anyone know anything about these books? Have you read them? I think I am going to have to pick them up and read them...she talks non stop about them. Edward and Bella (characters in the book). Edward is a vampire and Bella is a teen girl-they have fallen in love. She constantly edits pictures from the books, draws pictures about it, talks about it and sits for hours on the computer doing upkeep on her myspace, facebook, fan club and new website that are all now dedicated to Twilight. She dreams about them! This is an incerpt from her website: (do I need to be concerned or is this normal teen behavior??) Anyone with similar experiences?

About Me
I was introduced to the Twilight Series early on this fall (2007). Although I had heard about this wonderful book everyone had been reading for quite some time. I was sitting in math class and my friend Mckenzie was telling me how excited she was because she was going to go with her mom to buy the first book. I asked, "Well why are you so excited over a book?" If you haven't noticed, teenagers so seem to be that thrilled about reading haha. She told me a little bit about the book, and right then, I was definitely sure I wanted to read it. I love Science fiction Romance Vampire Novels, as I explain it to people when they too ask me about the book. Eventually she was done reading it and she lend it to me. I started in Chemistry class and it probably wasn't the best idea because I simply couldn't put it down! I thought, well, geez! I was excited that I loved reading a book! I "accidentally" read it the entire class and missed the lecture-oops-but still, that couldn't even make me put it down! I had it read in 2 days! Then I heard that there was a continue of the book called New Moon. I thought, OH MY GOSH NO WAY! I was sad that this was the end of such a great book...but WAIT! There were more! I read and read the three books in 1 week! I was actually-embarrassingly enough- having dreams with the characters. I felt a connection. The next thing I knew I was talking about them and basing everything I did on how the characters would take on situations. Then I felt sad :/ I was disappointed these characters weren't real. I had to do something more to get my "fill" of the books. I looked up a few sights and read up on new books from Stephenie Meyer. After changing my myspace to all to a Twilight theme, adding everything I possibly could. I even created a blog..of which I will probably add here because of the progression and time it took to make it. But all in all I can't even explain what I feel about the Twilight books. It's such a strong feeling, it's hard to deal with. So instead of keeping that all bottled in my head, I thought, what a more perfect way than to create a site. There has to be more people that are this PASSIONATE about TWILIGHT. Enjoy :)

[deanne11]

I don't think you should be too concerned.  Teenagers obsess.  That is there nature....everything is always in the extreme.

I can remember it being the case with myself...oh so many moons ago.  

It's good that you have access to these thoughts of hers though...and I'd monitor it.
But I really don't think it's a problem.

I would however, as a parent.  Read the book.  You may get more of an insight then.
I would say on the surface it's not a problem, however if you read the book....you may find a problem, within the lines.

[CYW]

I was never a book reader but i LOVED the backstreet boys...I still to this day own every movie every cd.. I DREAMED about nick carter oh gosh lol..Same with britney spears she WAS my idol when she first came out etc etc etc kinda acted like your daughter..I even would watch the movie and get this thrill from nick just that he was sooo hot! I wished i could meet him kiss him etc...my friends went through the same thing...I THINK it's just a normal phase...my friend went through similar phases..with harry potter...think about it this way.. SHE IS READING!!! I think that is just absolutely awesome...And I think it's a really good thing that you want to get interested to KNOW her more...Ask her to borrow a book( if she has any.. tell her she makes the story sound soo good) I think everyone goes through something like that.. I know people who it was MCHammer and New kids on the block that did it for them.. others..like my frined was harry potter and lord of the ring..she owns every movie every book posters etc and she is 21.. so...keep an eye on it but i wouldnt be TOO worried..but thats just my view.. good luck..(maybe it is a really good book-who knows)

[deanne11]

LOL - you made me feel old....britney and backstreet boys....
I back you though....I think most teens narrow in on something and it seems like an obsession....everything is so dramatic to a teenage girl.

[jenstam]

Ok...I guess I can remember obsessing too (: She just seems to be SO extremely obsessing...I think the best thing is to read the books, like you said. They sound good anyhow!

[BabyHardiman]

Was that written by your 16 year old daughter, really???  She is so intelligent (and I hope I spelled that word right, lol).  Wow, what a great writer she is.  She seems to be a really DEEP thinker, Jen.  Reading how passionate she is about the books reminds me of myself.  As of last year I was obsessed with reading different books, at the age of 29 I was picturing myself as some of the characters, and actually made changes in my life based on what I read in the books.  My world was not as perfect as it appeared with a great big house, and a wealthy husband.  I can relate to how she feels as a teenager at the age of 29.  She is still discovering herself, and building her own character.  She seems to have a very active imagination, and I think that is perfectly healthy.  I'll bet she dreams about school as well.  =)  I would let her continue to read, and fantasize, let her little mind wonder a little.  

I think she is going to be a great artist one day... and a great writer!!    

[jenstam]

Yes, she did write that! You should see the pictures she has drawn also! She is very creative and artistic! I just think she seems so preoccupied with these books, I was wondering if it was maybe like some Dungeons and Dragons type thing. Remember in the 80's, there was such an obsession with that, it turned kind of dark and scary! Anyhow, I guess I shouldn't worry. She is enjoying reading (: She's also active and on the varsity in track and doing quite well...it's just that I sometimes feel so out of the loop with what's going on in her life and I'm trying to understand this (:

[AndiJ78]

I still get drawn into book series and obsessively read : ) The "Prey" novels by John Sanford, Iris Johansen's novels with Eve Duncan and the like. I don't dream about them or base my life's decisions on them, but as a teenager, it is normal to latch onto something like that. They are trying to find their own identity and in doing so, they sort of try on others for size.

I agree with the others, read the books. You may find it gives you something to talk about on a deeper level : )

[alaysha]

I've read the books. Trust me when I say it isn't really that bad of a book for a teenager read and it is found in the youth section. Its actually a pretty good book and its mainly about how to love and care about people who aren't like you. Always a good lesson but your daughter probably isn't thinking about it that way. Also I have a friend who is 24 and she LOVES those books so its contagious and not just your daughter... I guess it just one of those books that gives you a warm fuzzy... plus the main male character is made to be dreamy and uber cool. Honestly I used to be obsessed with Harry Potter and I believe Freshman year I decided that I was going to marry him. Yep its completely normal. But I just wanted to assure you that the content of the book is okay.

[jenstam]

Last night she had a few friends over and I overheard her saying "I don't want to have a boyfriend because nobody compares to Edward!" I figure maybe it has helped her have high standards for guys. I can handle that! (:

[deanne11]

Whew - that's a good thing!

I hope my little Abby doesn't have a boyfriend until she's about 21.

[AndiJ78]

Oooh, those books are better than chastity belts!! They should hand those out in the delivery room!!

[jenstam]

Hah! Not a bad idea! She seems to have completely switched gears from where she was at 6 mos to a year ago...things seem to be going very smoothly but the turmoil and confusion she was experience then and now seemingly nothing it what has got me kind of worried. Maybe I just worry too much...

[deanne11]

We'll always worry about something....we're parents, mothers!

Just keep her close.  Believe or not most teenage girls want that bond with their mothers....you be open minded.  You need to be able to listen to her without freaking out....especially in front of her.  That's done behind closed doors....LOL

[ziggysgrl0724]

I wouldnt be too concerned about it........a lot of teenagers today are into sex drugs and violence, I might be a little relieved if I was you.  I know the idea of your child possible being "obssesed" with something can be a little bothersome....I remember when I was teenager though, and I would obsses over EVERYTHING. my fave band at the time, the boy I like....geez it was nuts..and also its very easy to sucked in to a book series you really enjoy...Here is my example and it is kind of a little embaressing for me to say to a bunch of people....this past year I decided to read the Harry Potter books, I dont remember why, I just decided I wanted to.  Well, there are 7 BIG books in that series and I am not lying when I say I read them all in like a month, maybe a little moe..lol.....I would sneak away when DH was home just to read them, I couldnt get enough.....when I read the last book, it kind of made me go i nto this little day long depression...I would cry, because I was so enjoyed reading those books and being "apart of that world" that I didnt want to think about not having it there any more......and im 26, isnt that sad? lol....I cant believe I just wrote that, hahaha

[Van73]

((((crossing her fingers and praying))) please Lord, let my 2 daughters (Who will be teens at the SAME TIME) be obsessed with books like Jenshims! lol  It's really a natural thing that teens do. I was the same way........Jen, your daughter does sounds very intelligent and you should be proud!!! I would be! =)

[jenstam]

Well, sounds like she is completely normal. I guess I remember obsessing over things, too. I feel kinda stupid now that I was worried about it. It's ALL she talks about and I guess I was kind of wondering if I should be concerned. She's a good kid...I'll let it rest ;)

Thanks for sharing your stories, embarrassing as they may be (:

[Jame0223]

I am 19...about 3-4 years ago I had a COMPLETE OBSESSION with the band Good Charlotte. Maybe you have heard of them...If you watch MTV and have one of their shows that plays only on that channel, they normally use a GC song on every one lol. I was OBSESSED with one of the band members. Benji Madden...oh GOD. I wanted to have his kids! lol I was ready to marry him. And he was covered in tats n peircings. I loved him personality though. I was all about them. I had every poster you could find. I had the dvds, the websites, made friends with other fans. Went to their shows. I LOVED them. I still do, but im not obsessed anymore. He's dating Paris Hilton now so thats kind of turned me off of him! And his twin brother just became the father of Nicole Ritchie's baby. Ringing a bell? They're still gorgeous and down to earth people. Buttttt I'm over my groupie days. The entire time I was obsessed with them, I went to every concert I could find with bands i liked. But it was a PHASE! She will grow out of her book obsession. Don't worry. The only way you can worry is if some charming vampire came into town and stole your daughters heart.

[jenstam]

LOLOL...if a vampire came to my door or my town I'd lock her up!

I love Good Charlotte and yes, I know who you're talking about. I'm old but I still try to stay "with it" (:

[Jame0223]

Hahah yess....GC. Them boys were lip smacking delicious to me. Hahah...yeahhhhh I got made fun of in school because of it. In 10th grade I remember I was ALWAYS dressed in dark colors. NEVER wore a dress or a skirt...not even shorts. The girliest i ever got was black capris. Wore my black converse and a band shirt. Haha I remember the only time I EVER wore a dress in 10th grade. It was almost the last day of school. It was a small dress that was black with a baby pink ribbon around the waist. I was in my biology class. I knew the teacher really well and he had nicknames for everyone...I was jamie but pronounced the mexican guy way...like Himey. But I was in that class and my teacher was like "OMG HIMEY STAND UP, LOOK EVERYONE, ITS THE ONLY TIME YOU'LL EVER SEE HIMEY IN A DRESS!!!" I told him to shut up and sat back down lol. Of course midway through 11th grade I became more girly. Ehhh phases in teen girls lol.

[Van73]

Do NOT be embarrassed!  You needed to know whether or not this Book series was an OK thing for her to read.  That's being a parent! I would ask if it was a good Book series or not too because I knew NOTHING of this series til today! lol

[Ceela]

Assuming the books are age appropriate (I'm not familiar with them) I would actually encourage reading of any kind (not during class!)  I am 33 and still read obsessively when I find a new author I like.  I loved to read from the time I was a very small child and I think it helped me a lot in school.  My reading comprehension was always better than other kids my age and it really helped in college when you have to comprehend a huge amount of material fast.  Reading for fun makes reading for work or school a lot easier!  The only issue in retrospect was that I got overly involved in specific characters or series of books partly because I was painfully shy in my real life.  In books I could be any character I wanted and be part of a world that is much more interesting than my real one.  Unless she is very shy or overly introverted I would be happy she is a "reader" and so immaginative.   Congrats!

[aarreguin]

i have read all of the twilight books. my grandma even read the first two and she loved them. its kinda like buffy. theres nothing to worry about. as far as books go, twilight is innocent, its just a great read! you fall in love with the characters. when i was sixteen i read twilight and i'd rather sit and read that book than talk on the phone.

[alikat1205]

My 12 year old and all of her friends are OBSESSED with this series as well.  I have read them all, and they are harmless.  Hey, they're reading!!!!!!  

[alikat1205]

P.S. i wouldnt' worry if she is dreaming about the characters.  I am a reader and sometimes I am so involved in the story, I do the same.  That means it has really captivated her.  Yea!

[Jenny100]

My 16 year old also LOVES these books. When she saw online that you could get the bracelet that Edward gives Bella, she CRIED!!!! lol
Something about them is addicting...I've never read them myself, but I know plenty of teens who are obsessed too.

[jenstam]

Yeah, she's still going strong (: She begged me to buy her the series (she borrowed them from a friend to read them the first time) and I caved. She has re-read them again and all of her friends come over and talk about Edward and Bella. She told me a few days ago she would like me to read them so I can understand. I agreed to, once I'm done with this semester which is next week (YES!!).

[Jenny100]

Yeah, my daughter keeps telling me to read them too. Because I say that I just don't think I could into a book about VAMPIRES.Then she says, "But Mom, if you read them youd see. Theyre SOOO good!!"
When friends told her to read them, she held off for a while cuz she didn't think she'd like them. And she LOVES them

[alikat1205]

I read them all, and they really are good.  It's not so much about vampires as the love story, and it's a typical against all odds teen love story.  it starts when bella and edward meet when she is 16.  there are some vampire battles, which add action and drama.  in the last book she turns 18 and desperately wants to consummate her love with edward, but he refuses unless they first get married!  it is a sweet love story with a few scary vampire details (really, though, not too many, and the story doesn't dwell on that).  

[jenstam]

Wow...sounds like those are some great morals being taught, too! I'll definitely have to read them!

[ziggysgrl0724]

hey jenshim...i know this post is from way back, but I was wondering if you ever got around to reading the books??  I posted when you first wrote this, and now having read the books(just blasted through them in like a weelk and a half) I can understand your daughters "obsession", lol...the only difference is I am 27....I even got my 29 year old brother and 30 year old husband into them.

[jenstam]

LOL...no, I still haven't read them yet! The girls have begged me on several occasions but I'm always so busy or so tired...still haven't. But I did bring them to the midnight premier showing of the movie last Thursday night. They have since gone THREE times just in 5 days! They still LOVE the books, the movie and the characters. I guess it could be much worse things so I've grown to appreciate their "obsession"! (:

[have 2 kids]

My 12 year old daughter was just talking about these books last night.   She wants me to read them also.  
**wanders if there will ever be time to read a book again**

[Whitneylauren]

I read the series this past summer. Don't worry about it. The books are written for a juvenile audience and pretty PG. Edward and Bella keep a PG relationship until the last book when they get married....

[jenstam]

Well, at least they get married first! LOL...

[GNicole]

I saw a write-up in the paper about the movie and I thought of you right away. I had never heard of any of these books before I read your post earlier this year. I must live under a rock! :)

[mami1323]

I think it's normal.  Richie's daughter is 12 and is completely obsessed with it.  She is always on the website, anything that pops up about it she's in front of the tv.  She is up to the 3rd book eclipse right now.  She is always talking about it.  It's the new thing.  Don't worry about it.

[alexia226]

I am 28 and i read these books b/c my 24 year old assistant at work is obsessed with them - like your daughter, i ended up reading them all in 1 week.  and i even found myself saying to my husband - "edward wouldn't do that!" LOL...I think it's just this fantasy world...all Edward cares about is Bella's happiness, he is the ideal guy (minus the whole vampire thing) - he doesn't care about sex, or partying, or anything like that...he just wants to make Bella happy.  If your daughter starts comparing guys up to Edward & she actually finds one who measures up - be excited!

[tatorbug40]

I read them all in a two week span-  I am 32 and I am in love with Edward-  I am trying to find a way to turn my DH in for Edward!  :)  I think the books are just fine for a 16 year old-  my SIL and niece are the ones who turned me onto the books-  ny niece is 15-  the first books she really ever got into...  there is really no sex scenes until the 4th book, and even then the characters who do have sex are married- and it is not a graphic scene-  basically it just states that they have sex...  in so many words...  

Seriously,  healthy or not, these books were addictive, and I have since moved on and learning to live with out Edward in my life :)  just kidding!  

I think it is very normal for this book series to have that effect on people, and your daughter does sound very smart!  :)

[ziggysgrl0724]

Tatorbug.......that is so funny.  I am in love with Edward too, lol......have you heard of midnight sun?  its supposed to be twilight from Edwards perspective.....there is some of it on Stephenie meyers website.  I started reading it it is interesting, but don't want to read it fully until she puplishes it(hopefully she will)

[tatorbug40]

yeah,  I got about 1/2 way through it,  but you can't print it because of copyright, etc...  so I haven't finished her draft yet-don't have much time to sit around reading a book on my computer!-  I hope she does publish it!  I want her to write more-  I think she should do one around Reneesme and Jacob next...  once she grows up...  :)  maybe I am still obsessed!  

I went to the movie-  i was ok I thought...  

[ziggysgrl0724]

The movie was OK....I def. think it could have been WAY better.  i just read that they are getting ready to start production on New Moon, but fans are concerned if the actor who plays Jacob can actually pull of the part(seeing as how he has to go from teenager to full grown humongous man in like a week,lol)..

I have heard that Stephanie Meyer has said that if she were to write anything else in the Twilight world it would be about Nessie...or Leah, but I don't see how anything about Leah could be interesting enough.

[April2]

My 16 year old daughter was just telling me this week that she wants the Twilight book! She just saw the movie and loved it.
Hey, if she wants to read then I'm all for it. I have a hard enough time getting her to read. They seem harmless enough to me from what I've seen.

[Quinns momma]

I read all 4 books in 2 weeks time. They are awesome and I really enjoyed them. I am 33 and although not obsessed with Twilight I can understand the attraction for your daughter. My cousin also read them and loved them as did my Aunt who is in her 50's. We are all planning a girls night to go see the movie. Although honestly it does not look that good to me.

Her obsessing over the books is a natural reaction. She is a teenager, it happens.
If Quinn was her age and wanted to read the books I would say go for it. They are harmless and actually have some good life lessons and morals. :)

[BUTTERFLYCOTTON]

I have never heard of the book but the twilight movie coming out looks really awesome and im 20.

[tatorbug40]

The movie I thought was even more geared toward the younger generation then the books...  and I thought the special effects could have been better...  

Quinns Momma,  did you go see it?  I was there with a 16 year old, a 24 year old and a 42 year old-  and I am 32...  it was pretty funny-  my nephew's girlfriend, my sister in law and her co-worker---  it was a girls afternoon out-  I just got a kick out of the age span attending in our little group!  

Ziggys-  it took me so long to even remember who Leah was when I read your post, that I don't think a book about her would be interesting at all!  :)