The tween and teen years are hard. Even at forty years old, I can recall the continual self-doubt, the mirror peeking, the obsession over performance, and the conflicting emotions of those transitional years. It’s hard all over again as the parent of a tween to see my daughter struggle through this stage.
Visit my latest post at Heart of the Matter – What Your Middle Schooler Wants You to Know– to see the seven things your middle schooler wants to say to mom and dad.
Melody says
This article and the list in it made me cry. In a good way, though! Sometimes life gets so busy I forget what it was like to be my son’s age. He’s 13, and he’s already taller than I am, and sometimes seems so mature, and then other times can’t remember where his shoes are. One minute we’re having a discussion about antimatter or the economy, and the next he’s playing with action figures and nerf guns. I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy these years because they will be gone sooner than I realize. Thank you so much for this post!
Alexandra says
What a funny coincidence! We’ve been reading the same articles. I look forward to seeing more here. I’ve got a twelve year old turning thirteen this month, so we are shifting our focus as well. I’m learning about boys’ Christian adolescence and their needs, but I’ve got a daughter as well, so I look forward to reading what you discover along the journey. : )
Nadene says
Books make a wonderful bridge between parent and the changing ‘tween’. I have read “Beautiful Girlhood” to my middle school daughters and it is wonderful to share and talk about those new thoughts, feelings and changes with a 3rd party. This book inspires and encourages a young lady to choose wisely in these important years. (I’m sure there are wonderful books for boys as well.)
WordGirl says
I can’t tell you how much I needed to read this. Thank you so much for writing it and for your kind tone. I had waited a while to follow the link through because I wanted to have time to absorb what you were going to say AND because I was a bit scared to read it. Instead, I read it and thought, “I can do those things. I just need to remember to do them.” I’m about to share it with my husband so that we can both work on keeping these things in mind. Thank you!