10 Truths About Tweens
I have a tween. Thank you for your condolences.
My son, Boy Wonder will be turning 10 years old next week, that is if he survives his attitude long enough to make it. What happened to my sweet boy who once thought my loving arms could solve anything? What happened to that little boy who wanted to grow up and marry me in a castle? I guess I blinked and he grew up.
Someone wiser than me once said that parenting wasn’t for the faint of heart. Damn straight it’s not. It’s also not for the sensitive types.
I tell you this because I’ve spent the last year taking Boy Wonder’s tween behavior personally. While my head knows my good son has been temporarily inhabited by the age-appropriate demons of tweendom, my heart is having a hard time watching it happen.
Take a look at the tween truths learned the hard way over the last year – after the jump!
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They're still kids
Consider tweendom to be an awful lot like Middle Earth. Caught between child and full-fledged teen, our tweens are struggling with navigating more mature territory while still a child. Rock, meet hard place.
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They're embarrassed by you
If your tween no longer wants to be seen within a 10 foot radius of you, don’t take it personally. The minute the tween crowd thinks you’re cool, it’s time to reevaluate.
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They don't want your advice
Here’s the thing, as much as your solid parental advice will help your tween, they just don’t want to hear it. Sparse advice and abundant listening is our best defense against tween angst.
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They have a hard time asking for help
As our tweens take on more complex challenges, they often find themselves struggling to find answers. When you sense your tween struggling, just be there. Be there when they choose to talk and be there when they don’t. Your constant presence signifies your willingness and desire to help.
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They love you. No, really.
While they might have a funny way of showing it (especially in mixed company), your tween loves you as much as they always have. Find a way to express your love for your tween daily.
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They judge you
Your decisions, your clothing, your taste in music – it’s all up for debate. Just remember: You did the same thing to your parents.
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They think you're stupid
Yes, your tween knows you were young once upon a time but that was an entire century ago. Parents, it’s OK for your kid to think you’re stupid, soon enough they’ll realize they were wrong.
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They need you
They’ll never admit it, but your tween needs you now more than ever before. Be there to offer support and a soft place to land when they fall.
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They're mad
It’s a young person’s job to be angry about everything and nothing. Time and maturity will eventually offer the perspective they need to smooth out that chip on their shoulder.
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Their world ends daily
Lemme guess, your tween is freaking out about the dumbest stuff. Yep, and it only gets worse into the teen years.
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Have a tween and a tween truth to add?
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Um, my daughter is 8 and I think I could vouch for most of these already. Yikes!
Cmg, I so hear you. My son started exhibiting all of this tween behavior at 8.
My daughter will be 8 next month and her world almost ended today. And for so many silly reasons. Drama queen. She is so like I was its funny.