Teens are inspired by the fashion in Love Story, everybody, everywhere, is maxxing, and the meaning of Easter might feel lost somewhere in the baskets and plastic grass. But first:
Song of the Week – “Babydoll” by Dominic Fike
What were you doing in 2018? Because Dominic Fike was releasing his biggest song of 2026, apparently. Elevated by more exposure on TikTok, “Babydoll” has been sitting at the top of Spotify’s “Top 50 – USA” playlist. The song is a great introduction to Fike as an artist, demonstrating his laidback sound, sleepy vibes, and clever lyricism. The writing in “Babydoll” is about being unable to move on from a relationship; you can read the lyrics here.
And now for our three conversations..
1. Ninetiesmaxxing
What it is: The final episode of Love Story, based on the tragic story of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, aired last week.
Why it’s capturing younger audiences: The show, based on a biography of Bessette-Kennedy that chronicled her romance with JFK Jr., has been Hulu’s most-watched limited series ever. It aims to capture the essence of a tumultuous relationship, and doesn’t shy away from drugs, nudity, and sensitive themes. It’s not made for teens—and for the most part, they’re probably not watching it as much as they are seeing edits on TikTok. Still, the buzz around the show has added to a groundswell of fascination around the fashion and lifestyle that characterized living in the 1990s, particularly pre-9/11 Manhattan. Bessette-Kennedy’s Calvin Klein-infused (paywall), signature style was, in some ways, the peak of lived-in luxury: clean lines, a crisp, neutral palette, and preppy accessories. Some younger audiences are romanticizing the idea of being young, free, phoneless, and glamorous in a gritty downtown scene—a way of life that went extinct before they were even born.
Continue the conversation: What’s your favorite fashion era?
2. Meaningmaxxing
What it is: Teens are adding the suffix “maxxing” to anything and everything—why?
Where the trend came from: The concept of looksmaxxing, or maximizing one’s looks, was born out of the incel (involuntary celibate) community in the 2010s. What started in a niche online community has now spread far beyond it, and the original meaning of “maxxing” has evolved in the process. What is actually a sinister idea—spending all of one’s resources to fixate on upgrading one’s appearance—has given rise to adding “maxxing” to everything: Chinamaxxing. Matchamaxxing. Friendshipmaxxing. Boyfriendmaxxing. Fibermaxxing. Jestermaxxing. Yogurtmaxxing. You could be drinking a 16-oz latte and call it “coffeemaxxing,” and nobody would correct you. Which means this suffix is doomed to the fate of most slang these days—to mean nothing at all.
Continue the conversation: What’s something you do that gives you confidence?
3. Eastermaxxing
What it is: Viral “Easter haul” and #easteraesthetic TikToks are focused on oversized baskets, trinkets from Target’s Dollar Spot, themed pajamas, bunny décor—with no evidence of the death and resurrection of Jesus in sight.
Why it’s a discipleship moment: There’s nothing wrong with decorating, giving simple gifts, and making Easter feel like a celebration, because it should be! But when influencers deliver a message that’s more about unpacking baskets filled with treats, gifts, and skin care products, it can shift the focus off the greatest sacrifice. The good news is that you can’t “fail” at Easter if, at the end of the day, your family celebrated the resurrection of Christ together. The harder news is that Easter can become just as materialistic as Christmas, especially when our traditions revolve around the stuff we buy and the things we post.
Let’s translate this one further…
When I moved to the U.S. thirty years ago, there were many culture shock moments. One that stands out happened at Easter, when I opened a friend’s storage closet only to see a giant blue bunny stuffed animal staring back at me.
That closet was overflowing with brightly-colored baskets and plastic eggs, like a tiny party store. My friend rushed over and slammed the door, worried her mom would see we’d ruined a surprise. “You’re not supposed to see that! It’s for Easter!”
Up until that moment, I’d never even heard of the Easter bunny.
When I became a mother, I felt pressured to add to the plastic of Easter. (One year, the church we went to even dropped Easter eggs out of a helicopter for my children to gather on the football field!) And truthfully, I do enjoy giving my kids simple Easter baskets. I always do my best to make the celebration Christ-centered with simple gifts, like Bibles and devotionals, that point toward Jesus.
When I see boastful TikTok hauls that look like my friend’s overflowing closet, it feels like Easter is being lost to the consumeristic powers-that-be. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
When I’m seeking out that Easter feeling with my loved ones, I always think of my Greek grandmother’s table. A place where Easter meant church, family, and Jesus. We ate lamb, and every few years, when celebrating with my Greek Orthodox family, we colored eggs and said “Christos Anesti!” The lamb on the table represented Christ’s sacrifice, and the stories we told were about the cross and the empty tomb. Intentional traditions that brought us back to what mattered. A legacy of faith I carry now. And a reminder that when I was but a sinner, Christ laid down his life for me (1 John 4:19). Our efforts—Easter and otherwise—are made perfect, not through our works but in His love.
For more context and nuance, check out our Roundtable podcast on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. In the meantime, here are three questions to help you continue the conversation with your teens:
- How do you think our Easter traditions could point to Jesus more clearly?
- Does Jesus’ resurrection feel personal to you, or more like a story you’ve heard a lot?
- How do your friends celebrate Easter?
Parenting together,
Irene Tucker and the Axis Team
In Other News…
- If you thought the popularity of KPop Demon Hunters wouldn’t survive into 2026, look no further than your local McDonald’s, which has Huntr/x and Saja Boys themed meals (and a Derpy the Tiger McFlurry).
- With the Artemis II mission, NASA is sending astronauts to the moon for the first time since the Apollo missions (over 50 years ago!). The four astronauts won’t land on Luna, just journey around it, but it’s an exciting moment, as the prep, launch, and journey are all livestreamed and accessible for those curious.
- An AI fruit-themed take on reality shows like Love Island has surged in popularity in the last few weeks, with videos getting tens of millions of views on TikTok.
- Teens are “mallmaxxing” as young people are driving an in-person shopping comeback, including, yes, malls.
- YouTube is rolling out a survey asking users if what they watched felt like “AI slop.” It could be a way for YouTube to enforce its own AI policy, or, as some have hypothesized, it could be a way for Google to train its own AI video models for free.
PS: Know someone who could use our conversation starters with their teens? Share the CT with a friend!