Tween-age Angst!

23 Aug 2016 59 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , , , , , ,

It feels like only a short few months ago, I was using you, my Peeps as a sounding board, for my frustrations with Lil Princess, with her terrible behaviour, awful sleep patterns, and eating issues.

I would hate myself for thinking it, but I felt like, for the first time in my life as a mother, I had a favourite. I would much rather spend time with Lil Man, and leave Lil Princess to stew. I was a BAD MUM!

But over the last few weeks, there has been a true shift in dynamics.

Lil Man is 11, and has definitely hit that Tween-age time.

He has started to push his boundaries BIG TIME!

I knew it was going to happen.  He is due to start Secondary School in less than 2 weeks! Eeeek!

It started with him requesting a mobile phone. He actually does have a handset, an old one of ours, without a SIM card, to use as a mini-tablet on WiFi. But he wanted a SIM as some of his friends had phones, and they were using WhatsApp, to keep in touch with each other.

We will get him a SIM for the phone.  Actually, I already have one, but not giving it to him just yet. I know I would feel happier if he had a phone, so I know he got to school ok, of that he got home safely. And if need be, he could call or message to say whether any after school activities had been cancelled. But he needs to earn it.

But over the holidays, he has become so cocky, so full of attitude, and downright mean to his sister, I wonder what happened to that darling boy of mine? Someone has transplanted his personality into Lil Princess, and hers into him!

Ok, so he is still eating perfectly well, and she is still terrible, and he sleeps fine, whereas she can still visit us at around 3am, but it’s the behaviour!

Lil Princess can still be annoying, and downright naughty ( caught her calling her brother a ‘f***ing brother!’ the other day! Where did she learn that!?!) but she has calmed down so much, and seems to have transferred that angst to her Tween-age brother!

I find myself constantly telling him that various things will be taken away from him, or that he can’t go here or there, as he winds me up so much!

The lip on him! I can’t believe that he mutters under his breath at me! And he’s not good at hiding it too, so I know exactly what he said… he’s getting frustrated too, so his limited vocabulary of swear words is getting a good airing!

And to be honest, it hurts even more since we have broken our backs the last 2 weeks to give them their own spaces, their own bedrooms.  It feels like we are not appreciated at all, and everything that we do is taken for granted.

I know it is all part of growing up.

At various ages and stages, there are new boundaries that children will try to push. But Jeez, is it frustrating!!!!! And to think… we’ll have to go through it all again soon with Lil Princess!

Anyway, thanks for listening Peeps! I know we just have to deal with it, and I am prepared for many more battles… but still, GRRRRRRRR!!!!!

59 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Don Royster
    Aug 28, 2016 @ 18:31:11

    They’re siblings. And that is pretty much what to expect. That’s the bad news. The good news is they would fight tooth and nail if anybody out of the fam went after one of them.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Helen Jones
    Aug 25, 2016 @ 19:55:04

    Oh, I feel for you! My girl is nine, and she is starting to display some attitude – I think it’s the transition, seemingly overnight, from sweet loving child to cocky tween that is most jarring. Fingers crossed they both calm down for you when they go back to school!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Judy Martin
    Aug 25, 2016 @ 18:14:45

    Oh, I do feel for you Sis. We are having many problems with Miss Hap, her behaviour and attitude at the moment.
    It is pretty hard work and very challenging, o I know what you are going through. Keep your chin up Sis and battle on! We are here when you need to vent 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. kritsayvonne
    Aug 24, 2016 @ 16:54:45

    Good job none of us were ever a worry to our parents! 😇 X

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Erika Kind
    Aug 24, 2016 @ 07:31:37

    Hmm…. what can I say….. hang in… one day it is over. What I experienced with my girl and my older boy is that she was more the rebel and he became arrogant and a smart-ass. He still loves to tell his brother how stupid he is compared to him! Don’t already freak out, sis…. Save your energy for the really “interesting” times ahead! 😘

    Liked by 2 people

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  6. Lisa A.
    Aug 24, 2016 @ 05:20:16

    Uh oh! I take away my son’s stuff (especially his tablet) when he acts up and it usually works. If he had a phone, I would take it away. The longest I’ve taken something away from him that he really likes is about three days (one time a week). He’s going to be 11 in December. He hasn’t really asked me for a phone. He’s not getting one anytime soon. I would take away your son’s favorite things (like the phone) if he continues to be disrespectful to you and your daughter. I would do it for at least a day or two. My son gets moody sometimes too. Ha, no wonder we’re getting gray hair!

    Liked by 2 people

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  7. syl65
    Aug 24, 2016 @ 04:23:37

    Hang tough Sister!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Jim
    Aug 24, 2016 @ 01:55:40

    and the next thing you know the years have gone by and they’re out of the house. then you can run around the house in your undies if you want. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Julz.......artist, blogger, photographer, graphic designer
    Aug 24, 2016 @ 00:08:26

    hang in there, count to 10, beleive it or not it will all be over way too quickly and they will be adults

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Southern by Design
    Aug 23, 2016 @ 23:46:15

    I SO very much understand! Hang in there 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. willowdot21
    Aug 23, 2016 @ 23:27:07

    Things will get better, nothing lasts forever!

    Liked by 1 person

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