October 20, 2009
Life is “epic”
Yesterday I was out shopping at a local outdoor mall, all by myself.
I know that for those of you who are toddler toting everyday, the idea of solo shopping seems as blissful as a 90% off sale at Prada.
And it was delightful.
But just as I was heading to my car my heart cracked a little. I saw a young mom carrying her little blonde baby in her arms, guiding a little girl (with the same hair) into a cafe to have lunch. “Awwwwwww” was all I could hear in my head. I miss that.
I miss having a little buddy along to chat with and discover “new” things with everyday. I didn’t even eat lunch yesterday because I basically forgot amidst the errands and work I needed to get done before 3;15. When you have a little one around, you can’t just forget about lunch.
Anyway, I felt sorry for myself for a few minutes, replayed the “maybe I should have another baby” dialogue again in my head for the 487th time, and then went about my day as usual.
When my newly turned 12 year old came strolling in from school, all DC skater hat and cell phone clad, I was reminded of how cool this older kid thing is too.
So today, I’m listing the top five things I really love about my tween…and you probably love about yours, if you have one.
1. I love their language.
I find it most amusing how my kid is trying to create and embrace the “cool” words in his world.
Everything right now is either “sick”, “epic”, or “bootleg”. These all mean “cool” by the way. He may have made up the last one, which I find simply awesome.
2. I LOVE to go shopping with him.
My boy happens to have a sure sense of style. His favorite store is PacSun,which I find way more fun to browse around then Baby Gap, not to mention I buy stuff for myself there too on occasion. He’s all about the skater look these days, which I used to find a little sloppy and odd, but now think is adorable. Funny how that happens when you actually know the kid in the clothes.
3. I now have my own personal search engine.
Between what he’s learning in tech. at school, his undying determination to figure out everything his itouch can possibly do, and his young uncluttered brain, my tween can work the web.
Thankfully he’s still frightened of the “bad stuff” on-line, and we’re a bit over-protective when it comes to internet access, so it’ all good. He has on more than one occasion hooked me up with some of the best music and videos and information on the internet.
4. He’s cheap and easy… in the babysitting department that is.
Now that my boy is twelve I never again have to shlep he and my 7 year old out to the grocery store because I forgot milk, or call a sitter so that I can attend an evening Parent/Teacher conference. For short, close to home outings, I’m all covered. And he never asks to be paid. (He knows where his next skater- boy sweat shirt is coming from.)
5. He’s really funny. My eldest has always had a really good sense of humor, but we certainly went through the silly/obnoxious/ I think I’m hilarious but no one else is laughing phase somewhere between 7-10. But along with his new-found sense of style and a slight rise in maturity levels, comes a truly funny and sweetly sarcastic young man. Now instead of laughing cause he’s so “cute”, I find myself chuckling at his dry wit. There are even times I think ” that’s so funny, I wish I’d have said it”.
So if there are any other out-of-diapers moms out there who are still getting side-kicked with maternal angst when you see a toddler at the park, I find it helpful to take a second to stop and take a look at a few of the perks of pre-teens.
I’d love to know some of the stuff you love about the “sick” kids living in YOUR house.
Enjoy the day girls!
I confess. Your post today made me weepy! While I have two younger ones at 3 and 5, your post got to me today thinking of what the years ahead have in store for me.
And as much as I want them to stay this age because it is going by WAY.TOO.FAST…I must admit a small part of me is looking forward to those tween years.
My 5 year old now is the coolest kid on the planet in my world. He already has a fashion sense. A sense that allows him to go into any store and pick out the strangest combinations but I swear he puts it together and it oozes “cool” and he wants to wear it and show everyone. He doesn’t care. And if someone says he looks silly — he just walks away to the next person! He loves Kiss, Michael Jackson (and does a pretty mean moonwalk) and the Beatles. He is constantly singing around the house and making up songs and says you will hear him on the radio someday….or the drawings…the many many many drawings that adorn our fridge on any given day will be works of art in a museum he says….and he’s really really funny. He makes my heart swell at 5…I can’t imagine what it will be like at 12.
And my 3 year old. Nothing like him making me pizza and ice cream in his kitchen every morning and then giving me a million….(I kid you not) kisses in a day and saying “MOMMMMMYYYYY” 2 million times a day.
So…your post today made me weepy because I already think I have it pretty darn good…..and you gave me a little glimpse into the future and it looks pretty amazing!
Aawww… I love this post. As a mother of 4 ranging in age from 2 to 15 – I’m living all stages. It’s sure easy to get sucked into the hassles of each age, but for the most part I am just knocked over by the overwhelming joy these little beings offer. My teen boy is DC and cell-phone clad like yours and he’s truly one of my favorite people to be around. And I do find bliss in heading to the grocery store alone – but I’d enjoy it just the same if he were along for the ride. I would enjoy bringing the two 2 year-old’s if I could charge for the show. Great post!
Hey Kristen…thanks so much for sharing all the cool stuff you love about your kids!
I think all too often we tell our girlfriends stuff our kids do that drives us nutty and don’t feel like we can brag on them from time to time too!
LOVED your stories of them:)
Howdy Liesel!
Don’t you agree it’s important to “be mindful” (my husband’s new phrase), of the unique stuff our kids bring to the table at every age?
Sometimes I get way to nostalgic for the days when they were tiny.
Loved your comment about wanting to “charge for the show” your two year olds put on at the grocery store…funny stuff girl:)
Thanks for sharing this Meredith. The thought of my little girls turning into tweens makes my heart ache. I love where we are… I love every speech impediment, question, and “nuggle” as Maggie calls it. However, I appreciate your perspective and it gives me peace to know that this isn’t as good as it gets. That life is a journey and with each phase I have an opportunity to get to know my children on a different level. Also, we are entering the silly 6/7 stage and knowing that there is light (and good humor) at the end of the tunnel makes me happy! Aren’t we lucky that God has given us such treasures in our children and that each stage is truly epic!
Hi Miss Mindy!
I clearly remember when Max was a toddler thinking “what in heavens name will I do with a teenager?”
The good thing, is that it comes on gradually. And at every turn there are unique challenges and bumps in the road, but at the end of the day your kids inner core remains the same. It is something to behold. So have no fear…all that hard work you are putting in now, will be so apparent as they turn into young adults:)
PS: I think we live in an age of it not being cool to actually enjoy your kids…it’s much funnier to complain and talk about the craziness of kids and the trials and tribulations all the time. I think you can still tell it like it is but also acknowledge all the stuff you love about them too.
enjoy your girls today!