As a mom, I am always striving to do my best in each stage of my kids life. But I also know as a parent I am gonna mess up too and that is all part of the learning process. My twelve year old is a tween and very close to being a teen. I went through this stage with my step daughter and it was challenging. But I feel I learned from my experience and strive now to create as much as an accepting space in our relationship as possible, for my 12 year old and I.
Does my daughter run to me and tell me every exciting new thing that happens to her? Probably not but I am so so happy she tells me lots of stuff that maybe I would not have told my mom. I always have strived to be a parent first and role model first, but also someone she can trust with secrets, feelings and accept whatever she is feeling no matter what.
Am I scared about her entering high school and the teen years? Yes, yes, yes. But I am proud of her for coming to me and talking to me, even if I do not like what she is telling me. And boys, am I ready for all the crushes happening? Not really but I love that she can talk to me and tell me stuff cause communication and trust is so important and I pray this continues into her teenage years. I do know I love my 12 year old with all my heart and am so proud of who she is, her musical talents and how good of a friend she is to her friends. Nine more months and she is thirteen- an official teenager!!
