This summer will forever be etched in my mind as the time I officially became the parent of a tween boy. One moment, my son was cuddling a mountain of stuffed animals, and the next, he was sprawled out on his bed, earbuds in, glued to a YouTube Minecraft tutorial. Gone were the days of plush companions—don’t worry, beloved Mr. Snuggles is still around, just hidden away. The transition happened in a blink! With his 11th birthday, my son has mastered the art of eye rolls and snarky remarks, raising the bar on teenage attitude. Brace yourself; the teen train is approaching, and I can hear its whistle—and, oh boy, it’s got some sass.
But let’s focus on the bright side of having a tween son. This phase isn’t all doom and gloom; in fact, there are plenty of things that make tween boys pretty fantastic:
- Shared Respect for Privacy
While I still struggle with any semblance of personal space (I mean, when will I ever pee alone?), my tween understands the horror of accidental nudity. He’s taken to covering his eyes with a dramatic yelp if he stumbles upon me in less than flattering attire. And honestly, hallelujah for that! - Logical Sleep Patterns
Unlike the toddler years where bedtime battles were the norm, my tween now embraces sleeping in and staying up late with a good book. Finally, it all makes sense! - Self-Sufficient Skills
Diapers are a thing of the past! He can wash his own hair (most days), prepare a meal, and even manage the microwave. He can also find and wear his own clothes—now if only he could coordinate his outfits properly, we’d be golden! - A Quieter Presence
Sure, he still throws in a few dramatic sighs and moody glares, but overall, he’s quieter than before. Most of the time, you’ll find him in a corner with his earbuds in, and I’m not complaining about the peace and quiet! - Wit and Humor
His sense of humor has blossomed! He has an uncanny ability to make me laugh with his clever insights. Just the other day, he smirked while watching his brothers rush to the kiddie pool and said, “Wonder if they know why it’s warm?” Priceless! - Reliable Helper
I can now count on him to carry things like baby gear, suitcases, and grocery bags. It’s like having an extra pair of hands—if those hands occasionally complain about being a “servant.” - Musical Taste
When it comes to music, he’s on my side! I can finally listen to Imagine Dragons and Maroon 5 instead of enduring the millionth showing of some animated film. Victory! - Bladder Control
Enough said. - Sweet, Rare Moments
Every so often, he surprises me with heartfelt sentiments. When I dropped him off at camp, he hugged me tightly and said, “I’m going to miss you,” before telling his little sister not to grow up too fast. Cue the tears! - Adventurous Palate
He surprises me with his willingness to try new foods, even ordering salads with his meals. While he still has a list of dislikes longer than I’d prefer, there’s hope he won’t just take future dates to fast food joints.
I recognize that this is a fleeting stage in our relationship. My son is no longer an unreasonable little kid, but he’s not quite a full-blown teenager yet. He’s at that perfect sweet spot where I can enjoy his company while he still needs me. I’m cherishing this time, despite the impending teenage attitude that’s sure to come. It’s a phase I never imagined from those baby days, and I’m grateful for it, even if it’s a blink in time.
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Summary
Tween boys bring a unique blend of humor, independence, and moments of sweetness that make this stage of parenting enjoyable. From shared respect for privacy to newfound self-sufficiency, these boys are growing into amazing companions.