When you first embark on this parenting malarkey you have absolutely no idea what you're doing, you're terrified you'll break the little baby in your arms and you question everything you do. It's a scary time. But once that little baby grows and starts to answer back or argue when you ask them to do something you wonder what you were worried about all those years ago. This new stage of parenting while testing (so much!) is also a wonderful time for so many reasons - here's why I think it's awesome being a mum to teens/tweens.
How old?
LP is 9, officially a tween. Over the last few months we've seen glimpses of the teen he may become with bouts of answering back or arguing about things he disagrees with. He is not afraid to voice his opinion and is happy to tell me he thinks I am wrong. But he is also caring, friendly, and outgoing. He likes to stay active, taking bike rides with his dad on a daily basis, and he likes to discuss all kinds of topics. He loves to learn.
BP is a teen, just - 13 years old (14 in August). He's quieter than LP, he'll keep his opinions to himself until they burst out of him in an almighty strop. He's a thinker, and he lets his feelings fester. He won't talk about something if it's bothering him. BP is also a wonderfully creative person, he loves writing and his stories amaze me. He feels things deeply and is loving.
Discussions
We can talk about all sorts of different topics with our boys, and they're both interested in different parts of the topics which makes for a more interesting conversation. We learn about their opinions, they ask questions and they can give their own answers by explaining their thoughts. While they are both still children our conversations with them get more and more interesting the older they get.
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
E. E. Cummings
Fun time
When the boys were young we had limited choices for fun, they couldn't go on roller-coasters at theme parks because they were too small. We couldn't play board games because they didn't understand. And we certainly couldn't take them to the cinema - it would've ruined it for others. But now they're older we can take days out, go bowling and more!
Theme parks, cinema, mini-golf, to name just a few things we've enjoyed in the last year. We get to have fun, talk about new topics while having fun, and even play more interesting board games. And so long as there are no tantrums (yes, even as teens there are still tantrums) we all have a great day.
Reading
With LP's reading age at 11+ and BP reading more interesting things for school it's always lovely to see them expanding the types of books they read. BP has just finished reading An Inspector Calls - a book both the Hubby and I have read and enjoyed and one that BP will be studying next year for his GCSEs. LP has just finished The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and is currently reading Around the World in 80 Days.
Entertaining themselves
I don't have to entertain them all of the time, which means I get time to myself! Whether watching movies, playing games, or going out with friends they can find ways to entertain themselves. They can be relied upon to give me some space when I need it - which is brilliant.
There's so many devices to choose from how can they get bored?
Up early
By giving them an alarm clock to use they can get themselves out of bed (some of the time) and get ready for school without too much trouble - giving you a chance for a lie-in. Of course this hasn't quite worked out for me just yet, BP has a terrible knack of ignoring his alarm and going back to sleep so we haven't perfected this one, but we're getting there.
Feeding time
This is a new one for me and I'm not quite ready to give up the reigns. BP has started to do his own breakfast, toast or cereal, and he's cooking in school. He can make sandwiches for himself and his toast is fine, but he needs more practise. I still make a family meal every day so we do eat properly but seeing the progress into wanting to make his own food is a good thing - I think!
Adolescents are not monsters. They are just people trying to learn how to make it among the adults in the world, who are probably not so sure themselves.
Virginia Satir
Board games
As you know board games are a family favourite here and being able to try out more interesting games is great. We've gone from really simple ones, and having LP on a "team" to playing Scrabble and Ticket to Ride. It's so much fun for us all and we've got a growing collection of games.
Catan, another great game to play with your older children.
While it's stressful being a parent to a teen and a tween there are good sides to it. Navigating the emotional waves and tantrums is much easier when you can look forward to things. We look forward to our board games and our discussions and I can see my boys growing up day by day. It's a wonderful thing.
What do you enjoy about being a parent to a tween/teen?
Enjoy more time to yourself by getting your teens to do chores too! Grab your free downloadable chores list here.

It will be a while before my kids reach that age. But even though it is bittersweet for me when I think about my babies growing up and not being small babies, this post highlights great things to look forward to. #bigpinklink
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely. Yes, although there are times when I want to pull my hair out there are also times when it's wonderful. xx
DeleteLovely post Morgan. I remember when they were little and you had to do everything for them but that time soon went by. It is lovely as they get older. My Daughter is at this kind of age where she is finding her voice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at Creative Mondays :) Hope you can join us tomorrow.
Haha I hear you Claire, BP is just the same. ;)
DeleteDefinitely a post I needed to read today after a two week long battle of wills with my teenager. It is so easy to get bogged down with the negatives of parentinf teens and tweens so it is so good to have a reminder of the positives
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Nikki, I hope things haven't been too bad for you. It is certainly a challenge parenting teenagers isn't it? Especially when they think everything you say and do is wrong! But like I said, I try to focus on the positives as much as I can! 😉
DeleteI am right here too and I love the independence Olivia has now. She is able and willing to do (a lot) of things for herself and we can have proper discussions about things and I know if I tell her something she understands what I mean. Yes, this stage is so hard but also currently my favourite stage too #fortheloveofblog
ReplyDeleteAlso popping back from #pocolo too x
DeleteTotally! xx
DeleteOh yes I love the discussions and more independence But we haven’t reached the making things for ourselves point yet. I do like getting them to clean their own rooms now though!!! Thank you for hosting %Popping back to say thank you for linking up to #POCOLO
ReplyDeleteIt certainly saves you time doesn't it? Now all they need to do is learn to cook meals! 😉
DeleteLove seeing how they emerge more and more at this time into the people they will be going forwards. Love how mine love to talk, are so focused and mainly how caring and sensitive they are. Still got to persuade them about helping with chores though! #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteHaha I hear you Kate. I still have to try to get mine to do the chores! 😂
DeleteMy girls are 10 & 15 and I love them at these ages. They are funny, nearly independent and are mostly a pleasure to be around. #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteSo you're a year ahead of me Kim! Haha, yes, "mostly" a pleasure to be around. 😂
DeleteI would imagine it is a very different phase. I like the idea of being off cooking duty! #pocolo
ReplyDeleteHaha, it's not quite happened yet but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
DeleteYes to this, I can't wait to play the mature board games X #pocolo
ReplyDeleteIt's so much fun hun! 😉
DeleteAs long as you don't get too competitive in the board games like we used to haha!
ReplyDeletehttps://lizziedailyblog.blogspot.co.uk/
#pocolo
😂 It does get competitive at times! 🙈
DeleteMy daughter is 12 (13 in July) and I love learning about the person she is becoming. We can talk about so many things and we both enjoy similar books and movies now, It is lovely to share these with her.
ReplyDelete#FamilyFun
Aw that sounds lovely Ali, it really is great learning about our children isn't it? 😊
Deleteall 4 of my boys had different responses to being a teen and their thoughts on their rights on how I parented. Child 2 was resonant towards me as I'm actually step mum until he reached 24 and we now have a fairly equal relationship, child 3 was more of a mummy's boy up until the age of 11, but now at 26 and him living in Australia we have a very good, if infrequent relationship. Child 4 has been my mate since he was 15, he is now 23 and the one that remains the closest. Child 5 and I haven't had a mother/son relationship since he was 7 and went to boarding school, however over the past 12 months we have a very good relationship now. All my boys come to me for help and advice and we have a lot of fun times together #pocolo
ReplyDeleteThat's so great Suzanne! I love that you have a good relationship with all your children. I hope that I will eventually too. 😊
DeleteMy oldest is 9 and it amazes me how much he can suddenly do himself and how independent he is becoming. We also have great discussions and love playing board games, Ticket To Ride is a firm favourite with us too. Unfortunately the youngest is only 3 (nearly 4) so we still have the same problems we've always had when it comes to the type of outings we can go on and how much work there is just to get out the door on a morning. As much as I dread them getting older (because I want to keep them my babies forever) I'm also really excited about the future and seeing them develop into teenagers and young adults.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the #FamilyFunLinky x
Ah Alana, enjoy these times when they're still little. It goes so fast (although I know it doesn't feel like it sometimes) and before you know it they're teens. My youngest is 9 and is already talking about me not walking him to school anymore! 😱
DeleteThanks for sharing this, I think that whatever age your child is there is always things about parenting that we love and dislike. I’m just about to embark on the baby days again, and I can wait for it but at the same time I’m dreading it. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
ReplyDeleteHaha I get that Claire. I'm not sure I could do the baby days again, it's been a long time since I had a baby with my youngest at 9 years old. However, I do love to see the newborns of friends and think it's so lovely to see them all dressed up in their cute outfits. Enjoy it lovely. xx
DeleteOne thing I find fascinating about this is the board games. My youngest - five - loves them but I kid of imagine teens wouldn't play them with family. There's hop yet! Thanks for giving me an insight into how my future might be.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by John! Yes there's hope - I think if you play board games consistently then your teen (when they get there!) will continue to enjoy them even through their hormone influx! 😉
DeleteGreat post Morgan - it's true parenting just takes a slightly different direction as they grow, but it's all about preparing them for the world isn't it? #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteThanks! It really is Steph, and no matter what making sure they're safe and healthy. xxx
DeleteOh yes there are loads of positives about parenting teens and teens and it's a shame that we tend to only see the negatives written about. Thanks so much for sharing such a lovely positive post at #TweensTeensBeyond
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon, I think it's important to remember they're not all bad! xx
DeleteI love this post Morgan. It's full of all the good bits and they are there for sure. It's a really interesting period in the parenting calendar and one that despite the inevitable challenges that come with teens reaching for independence and pushing the boundaries makes parenting really worthwhile. #TweensTeensBeyond
ReplyDeleteYou're totally right Jo, it's certainly an interesting period as a parent. xx
DeleteYou are so right to highlight the positives. I'm loving seeing my three grow. Yes, they can infuriate me at times, but all the other moments more than make up for it. I feel inspired to get a few board games out today. #TweensTeensBeyond
ReplyDeleteCool! Board games are awesome. Of course it can cause one or two arguments occasionally! 😉
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