How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

The Pre-Teen Monster

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She has traded play mobile for karaoke.

Picks Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Hedley over Crazy Frog or The Wheels on the Bus.

Prefers Glee to the Wiggles.

Squeals over a Bench sweatshirt…down with Barbie?

T-shirts require bras. Good grief.

Sometimes she will still hold my hand in the mall, but I know those days are numbered.

Friends have become gossipy and fickle. Social status has become important…peer groups have morphed into peer pressure.

I thought when my babies got a little older, life would be easier. The joke is on me. Somehow it gets more difficult, more intense and complicated at every turn. You worry more then ever, watch each and everyday as your daughter, caught in that awkward place between girl and teen, struggles with the challenges puberty and life throw at her.

As this sweet girl is rushing to become a teenager, she continues to be my daily challenge.

A confident, defiant, expressive, whirlwind in one moment; a stumbling, eager, quiet thinker the next.

Bright and brilliant. Beautiful and creative.

On this incredible journey of parenthood, I will do my best to lead…she will try to make her own mark on the world. As a Mama, you do the best you can and hope it is enough. I will make sure she knows we are proud, she is loved.

I thank God for her each and every night.

Today my baby turns 12. This year I wish her health, strength, confidence, good friends, adventure, and true joy. I hope that all her dreams come true, and then she dreams some more!

You have changed my life forever…..

Happy Birthday my BlueEyed baby.

    • Comments

    8. Babe. You can’t be old enough to have a 12 year old. Did you have her at 14? That’s the only way you could be 26 and a mother to a 12 year old. Wink Wink.
      A beautiful ode. Thanks for a lovely read. Mwah.

    10. I hear you…my twelve year old will be thirteen in March and she has grown up SO MUCH in the last year. She looks 16 or 17…and boy does she have the attitude. But, she still knows right from wrong and talks to me (sometimes). Which makes me happy.

      Enjoy your 12 year old girl.

    12. happy birthday to your daughter! i know from friends with daughters, that it can be a tricky time.
      i have a 13 year old boy and like you say, you do the best you can and hope they come out on top.

    13. Happy, happy birthday to your darling girl! Pre-teen years *are* tough – for them and you. But being the super mom I know you are I think you will both come through with flying colors.

      What the hell is a Bench sweatshirt? I’m out of the loop a lot just having a boy.