{"id":84374,"date":"2024-09-09T20:59:23","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T20:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/09\/10-things-i-love-about-parenting-preteens-teens\/"},"modified":"2024-09-09T20:59:23","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T20:59:23","slug":"10-things-i-love-about-parenting-preteens-teens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/09\/10-things-i-love-about-parenting-preteens-teens\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things I Love About Parenting Preteens\/Teens"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

My friend just texted me a photo of her daughter walking into first grade and said, \u2018She\u2019s growing up, sobbbbb.\u201d Oh my gosh, I remember those heart pangs! But, for anyone who needs it, I would like to act as your friendly older cousin\/big sis\/Internet bff and reassure you that parenthood doesn\u2019t end after toddlerhood or kindergarten or elementary school. Your kids never stop needing you \u2014 plus, in many ways, I\u2019ve found that it only gets more fun.<\/p>\n

On that note, here are 10 things I\u2019m LOVING about preteens and teens\u2026<\/p>\n

1. You\u2019ll watch TV shows together that you actually\u2026enjoy?!!<\/strong> Instead of slogging through Bubble Guppies and Rescue Bots, we\u2019re now binging Friends<\/a> and Brooklyn Nine-Nine<\/a>. (What shows and movies do you like watching with older kids? Always love recs.)<\/p>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

2. Texting with your child can be hilarious. The other day, Anton slept at a friend\u2019s house, and at midnight, he texted, \u201cNight Ma.\u201d Another time, I texted Toby, \u201cI love you so much; you and Anton are the great joys of my life,\u201d and he replied, simply, \u201ck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"boys<\/p>\n

3. They\u2019ll finally carry stuff. After years of your shlepping them around<\/a>, your kids will bring in the pizza and groceries. (Reminds me of this funny reel<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

\"boys\"<\/p>\n

4. You can do \u201cself care\u201d together. Toby and Anton have gotten into face wash and moisturizers and even beg to use my ice roller<\/a>. Best of all, they\u2019re ALWAYS up for a Sephora trip to smell colognes. (They\u2019re never not wearing Dior Sauvage lol).<\/p>\n

\"hand<\/p>\n

5. After years of teaching them about consent<\/a>, you\u2019ll see them respecting children, friends and adults and even employing the Keanu Reeves hand hover<\/a>. My heart!<\/p>\n

\"anton\"<\/p>\n

6. Your kids\u2019 deep thinking can bring you to your knees. At bedtime, Anton used to chat about cowboy boots<\/a> and skateboards<\/a> and ask questions like, \u201cWhat are hours<\/em>?\u201d<\/a> Nowadays, he wants to get my thoughts on politics and culture and what happens when we die<\/a>. So amazing to see your kids minds grow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7. Now they\u2019re actually good<\/em> at games and give you a run for your money.<\/p>\n

\"anton\"<\/p>\n

8. They\u2019ll rub your feet while watching a movie AND CHARGE ONLY $1 PER MINUTE!!!!!!!<\/p>\n

\"toby\"<\/p>\n

9. You\u2019ll witness them growing up. It makes me teary to watch Toby babysit toddlers (he caps his sessions at one hour because \u201comg it\u2019s exhausting<\/em>\u201c) and ask older neighborhood ladies how their mornings are treating them. And you can see how any difficulties they\u2019ve had through the years are helping them become resilient and empathetic. <\/p>\n

\"anton<\/p>\n

10. But, no matter how old they get, they\u2019ll always be your babies. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo<\/p>\n

How old are the kids in your life? Parents of preteens\/teens, what would you add?<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. 21 completely subjective rules for raising teenage girls<\/a> and teenage boys<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

42<\/span> COMMENTS<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section><\/div>\n