I’m A Tween Mom
When does “tween” age start anyway? Is it nine? Declan turned nine in September, and along with it, I am pretty sure he became a tween.
He rolls his eyes at us.
He tells fart jokes.
He has watched Star Wars Episode I.
Or IV depending on your perspective.
The one with Jar Jar Binks.
But something else has happened.
He’s becoming himself.
Not just an extension of us.
Someone once told me that happens around age nine, and I finally understand what they mean. He is pushing for independence in different ways. And we are letting go, because he is showing an incredible level of maturity about his decisions.
Oh, sure. His room is a mess and I can’t get him to comb his hair to save my life.
But that seems like a sign of growing up too, right?
Recently, we were invited to go spend the night out, and as I tossed the options around my brain, my go-to reaction was, per usual, “should we get a babysitter and make it an adult night?”
Not that I didn’t enjoy my son when he was younger. Not that I didn’t want to hang out with him. Not that I didn’t love him more than anything in the whole world.
But I clamored for time alone with Bryan. For special moments away from the kid.
As I thought more about our evening-away invitation, I realized it would be MORE fun to have Declan with us. That the three of us would have a blast together. Not kid fun, not adult fun, but that somewhere-in-between place we had been creating for the past year. The tween place.
When Declan joins our conversations, with his own opinions, and adds input that totally makes sense.
When Declan cracks jokes that are seriously funny, and completely independent of his dork of a father.
When we have special time, just the three of us.
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That’s such a great age, in away. I love to see kids really start to form their own ideas and values and be able to express them. Plus, you really do have one great kid 🙂
Thanks sweetie. 🙂
Nine is definitely a pivotal age. It’s when my oldest started acting differently, and with Lindsay, it’s the same. With her, the attitude changes almost happened overnight on her birthday.
My oldest’s preteen years have been super rough on us, but Lindsay is going to give him a run for his money. (The attitude, OMG THE ATTITUDE.) I told my husband I’m tempted to give him the kids and run away to Fiji until they are all 18.
You guys are soo cute. – m
Love hearing about him growing up!
I love this and cannot wait until my only gets to that age!
My oldest just turned 10, so I’m right there with you. In a way, I wish my tween was a boy. Girls make you want to run for the hills, then jump from them, Wile E. Coyote-style.
This is completely awesome. I love the sound of this age, I love that you are getting to revel in it, and I am SO looking forward to feeling this way. (Not that I’m wishing away the next six years or anything. Most days.)
Having spent time with the 3 of you together (albeit not enough – must fix that!), I have to say it — you might just have the best tween in the world. His amazing parents have a lot to do with that. It is beautiful watching the three of you together.
Jim just said the same thing about Hawkins tonight!
Welcome to my world! Although it won’t be that much longer until PunditGirl “graduates” from the world of ‘tweens to an actual teen!
= :0