Everything seems to begin earlier these days. What happened to being a kid? The 'kid' years are getting shorter and turning into the 'teen' years. I guess that is where the 'tween' term came from. But isn't there supposed to be a difference in the 'tween' and the 'teen'? Isn't that the reason for the new term? I am finding now as I maneuver through these tween years that it is just a fancy term for 'our kids are becoming teenagers much faster than we did'.
At 12 years old I never would have thought about wearing the clothes they do now. Yes, it was the 80's and it was all about fluorescent belts and Cyndi Lauper skirts, but there was no obvious cleavage showing. And cleavage, why is it that kids are getting boobs so much earlier now? Is it in their food?
The interaction between boys and girls amazes me these days. In sixth grade it was all about which boy we 'liked' and giggling as they walked by. Never in a million years would I have had the courage to seriously interact with them. Now things are way different. My son texts just as many girls as he does boys. I don't know if it is just easier for them to start their interaction because of the digital interface of texting or if they just don't have that nervousness factor anymore. Gone is the slumber party most 12 year olds had for their birthday. Now it is about hanging out at the local bowling alley with both the boys and girls to celebrate.
Why is this? Is it the role models on T.V.? Is it that kids are hitting puberty sooner? Is it technology? What do you think?
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9 opinions:
The whole teenaged angst janx started for our family when the girls were in middle school. I had "butt checks" and "boob checks" every morning before school. The low-riding jeans & low-scooped blouses that are still popular today don't help much, do they?
Yes, I definitely think that the teenage years are starting earlier. A part of it maybe because of the media culture; information is just so available. Kids get to know too much, too soon.
I hope they're not starting earlier. My daughter is almost 5 and I'm counting on seven to ten more years of blissful kid sweetness. Wish in one hand....
You know for some kids it is starting earlier, but for others not so much. My daughter and son didn't start expressing interest in the opposite sex until 8th-9th grade. But I do know one of my daughter's friends was allowed to go on a date in the fifth grade! (Yikes!)
As parents, we have to decide what we'll allow? Will we let our under-age-13 child watch PG-13 movies? Or R-rated movies? Do we let our elementary school age girls wear high heels?
I really think part of the whole growing up fast thing is coming from the top(parenting) down. Just my humble opinion.
The early development thing - I'm convinced it's hormones in the milk. Convinced.
Yes! Its up to us as parents to keep our kids kids for as long as possible.
from mbc
www.hackingthesuburbs.com
Somehow I think they can say things by text that they would never say to someone's face. Or at least I never would have at that age! I think they say it as a layer of protection. Heck, if I wanted to call a boy when I was a teen, I had to call his house and do the silent prayer that he would answer and not his parents! Yes, we actually had to speak to parents! It does seem to be starting at an earlier age.
***Ally
I meant "see" it as a layer of protection! I hate when I realize a typo AFTER I hit publish!
I have no idea why that is. Make ya think huh?
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