It’s a day late but at the rate I’m going this year, I’m early.
The Silders’ oldest kid is becoming a teenager. I think high school is next year. I know it is with my nephews Nick and maybe Hunter, Landon is already in the thick of it.
As for his mother, it could be worse…TJ could’ve been a girl, giving Helen and Paul more to panic about.
I wish TJ the best now that he has what I consider the entry-level age for Western Empire’s creation (namely America) known at teenagerism (or is it a -hood). It’s a fantastic transition period, you just don’t realize it when it’s happening to you! Numerous cool things come to your attention or gain a better focus:
- The opposite sex, or same, I’m cool with either. I think Paul (his dad) would freak out.
- Music. This may have lessened thanks to the Internet. It used to be a tribal identity thing when I was growing up. Kids still start up bands at least.
- Friends. They become a stronger group to confide in because your parents and other adults are often “dumb, clueless and/or uncool.”
- Movies. Hollywood spends the budgets of small nations catering to the 12-34 male demographic. How do you think Adam Sandler got a career?
- Misc. Some teens go further with fashion, take up smoking/chewing, sports, books, D&D, etc. The strengthening of an individual identity. I remember seeing former classmates from eighth grade already on the path to White Trashdom a year later. Being separated from them is probably what gave me the judgmental perception.
I hope it’s a wondrous, happy time for him and unlike mine, he’ll get to enjoy in real time, not in hindsight.
It is getting used to the voice that is as deep as Paul’s that is freaking me out more than anything! That and the fact that he is so much taller than I am now!