So the teen started 8th grade a couple of weeks ago (they are on a weird schedule) and thankfully, it has gone well. What I have learned through this year is that every day is an opportunity to bite my tongue and squeeze my fingers so they don't accidentally flick the smirk off his face. Ha!!!
People always say that the time flies by quickly but you don't realize that truly until you have to buy man size shoes for person that came out of your belly.
I'm so proud of the quirky young man he has become though even with the teen hormones raging and the attitude in full swing, he is making life work in his way, on his terms, no matter what anyone says. There are days where we clash like the Titans and days that we communicate so well, as if it were me and my Mom chatting over a salad.
There are days where he takes care of his needs and those around him with a helpful hand and not being asked.... Then there are days where he questions EVERYTHING, annoys EVERYONE, rolls eyes, slams doors, and gives a great big "duh" until you just want to flick him on the noggin. But all days are perfectly him as he finds his way in this world and makes his mark.
Recently he got a state recognition medal for his score on the ACT's and then yesterday he got these test results from Spring. To the adults in our lives who claimed he wasn't eating enough "meat" for brain development and the teachers that said he wouldn't do well on tests or in this new school, I think he is doing JUST Fine, thank you very much!
Middle School is a challenge! I won't lie and say everyday is full of glorious moments. But as adults we face challenges, lord knows we aren't perfect in everything we do, so I think it is a shame that we expect our kids to be.
As this school year marches on and he begins to tower over me in size, my hope is that the desire to flick him on the forehead becomes less and less necessary since I won't be able to reach anyway.
Signed,
Vegmom of a Teen
(send reinforcements)