She is growing up and I am not sure I am ready, will I ever be?
Part of me is truly loving watching her grow, seeing friendships develop, and watching her embracing independence. But I have always been number one in her life, (of course she is super close to her dad, they have an awesome bond), but when she is sad, or scared, it was my arms and words that always brought her comfort. And truth be told she still turns to me when she is most worried. But lately I feel her heading more towards her friends, suddenly my opinion on clothing really doesn’t matter because clearly as if a mum could have any sense of style, what was I thinking???!!!
The way she acts now when her friends are around is different, the little touches of ‘coolness‘ are appearing and having mum around is just not really that cool. Her voice changes too, it isn’t rude, it is just different. She is only 13, but her feet are now bigger than mine, and she is almost as tall, many of her friends are now taller than me. I know I am not very tall, but I’m five foot 4 inches so I am not exactly tiny, what do kids eat these days? Gosh I sound old now!
Like I said there is real beauty in witnessing my daughter become her own person (although right now it is more like watching every girl try and be the same as each other, matching shoes, matching brand obsession, matching bracelets), but it is all part of being accepted and feeling like you fit in I guess, whilst trying to discover who you are. Confusing times! Am I sacred?? Oh YES I am terrified, sometimes I barely recognise my little girl who used to know all the words to the Little Mermaid! But she is there, I see glimpses, and I truly hope I always will.
Do you have a tween or teen? How are you coping? Any tips?
It is now time for the Living Fearlessly Authentic Round Up!
Firstly I have to make mention of this gorgeous photograph, and wish Meme a happy 7th birthday! This beautiful image was shared by her very proud mummy Natalie @memeandharri.
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These gorgeous photos were shared by;
@sandyhair.saltykisses. @lucyathomeblog.
@lifewiththebuxtons. @momyandrory.
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11 comments
I’m not there yet as M is just going to be 2 this November but yes I can imagine what you must be feeling. It’s a bittersweet feeling, I imagine. But you know what, a mom will always be a mom and she will need you just as much. Friends may come and go but moms, well, they are the support no one else can be 🙂
Hmmm . . .I’m not sure I have any real “tips” for you, even though I’ve weathered the journey through four rounds of tweens and live in a house with my “baby” fifteen year old. I’ve never gotten used to the way they grow up so fast, and all the changes seem to come at once. I guess my most encouraging thought along these lines is that I love the men my sons have become and are becoming. If I met them somewhere as strangers, I would like them even if they were not my own sweet boys.
I can only imagine how hard it is to deal with tweens. When I look back at myself at that age, I just want to go give my mum a hug for putting up with me and my rebellious nature! {sorry, that wasn’t much help, huh?}
I can feel the cool factor kicking in with my tween and even my 8’year old doesn’t want to hand hold or kiss in public. Finding the equilibrium is hard as I want them to have the confidence and independence to grow and leave and the strength of support and love to come back when needed. Thank you for hosting #mg
Oh dear, I’m sure it’s hard. I remember my Mom always asking me , ‘Why did you grow up?’ I know I gave her a hard time in my teens. I’m sure you’ll ‘weather’ this well, Mac. ♥
Hi Mac,
You clearly have a wonderful bond with your daughter. Of course, that will evolve over time, but rest assured that you will always be there for her and she will always turn to you for different things, for different bits of advice as you both get older.
I am now in my late thirties and I still turn to my mum for that advice, support, a friendly ear when I am lonely.
I probably don’t turn to her for fashion advice, but I do know that if I asked her whether an outfit looked nice she would definitely be honest.
Loads of Love.
Pen x
I have a nineteen year old and a nine year old-both girls Mac, so technically one is a teen stepping into adulthood and one is already a tween.
I don’t want to scare you but this is just the tip of the iceberg. But you see its always very hard for us as parents to see them transit from loving, cuddly, amicable, obedient children to eye rolling, mind-of-their-own, “cooler than the coolest”, independent, kids who suddenly behave like they know it all.
Just be patient Mac, and hold tight. Easier said than done, but that’s what will do you all good. They need us to be very calm around them, because if we aren’t they tend to rebel.
I’ve gone through the motions once, and bracing myself up for the second one, though at the moment she is like God’s sweetest angel.
Sending you big hugs, and yes do read Khalil Gibran’s “Prophet”. There is a chapter, just a paragraph or two on Children.
Here’s a little line from it: “They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.”
Lots of love and light to you and your lovely family.
Mac, as is usually the case, I hear from you in every syllable! It’s such a bitter sweet and exciting time isn’t it? At least that’s what I tell myself… Thanks for hosting #mg and it’s great to be linking up again.
This is exactly why I like to read your blog – I find reflection of my thoughts here. This is exactly what’s happening with my son, although he’s just 11. He isn’t rude but I feel, in the company of his friends he becomes some other person – someone grown up and stand offish. I do understand of course what he’s going through but I cannot make up my mind whether I really like it.
My girls are only little and the thought of this inevitably becoming our reality makes my heart squeeze. It’s so hard – as parents, our job is to bring them up so that they can be independent and make their own decisions, but at the same time, we want to keep them close to us as our little children. #mg
It certainly sounds scary having to step back a little to give our children wings so they can fly. #mg
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