Parenting A Soon to be Teen Son

Last year. This year though, I have to deal with an "on-the-verge-of-teenhood," "somewhat-full-of-angst, "almost-12" boy. So there's more conflict, wrestle for control than peace and quiet.

I'm swept by the turbulence if it all, trying to find my center more often than not. I'm realizing this sway of swirling emotions must be a reflection of  what's going on in the head of my not-so-little boy at this stage he is in now.

I'm just grateful that after our shouting match (oh yes we do. Sigh), he shows every indication of understanding the points I've raised and obeys. It takes 10 minutes of quarreling why he had to study first before wifi-ing and why he had to wash the dishes too before he does the tasks anyway and so well afterwards.

Grateful as well that after all the drama, we would continue to talk and connect like before. Conscious parenting, or at least, the ever attempt at it, sure is helping though. I'm ill at ease with being not calm and at peace but I'm also acknowledging that this is all part of the process. The rythm sure is making my head spin. But we're making progress day by day #motheringateengeson #thispartofthejourneynow #uneasybutstillatpeace

So Here We are Now

So I think, last night we finally found our equilibrium hehehe Kuya Rod and I end up sleeping late talking about books, etc. like before. We started with K. Hosseini's "And the Mountains Echoed" and it's mini-story at the beginning. When I told him it made me cry, he said he only found it sad and snorted when he said it did not make him cry.

He then asked me about all the other books I read and I told him there's far too many to remember every single one of them. Then I recounted being pregnant with him and reading Dumbledor die and crying the whole night after (hormones talking). That's when he doubled-down laughing and said it made him laugh instead. I was shocked! Such an unfeeling human I am raising! (exaggeration here).

I think we're in that phase now where he's saying things to shock me and to gauge my reaction, testing the waters. That and trying to appear less emotional over something. Either that or it is already testosterone coming into play. Sans a mother for two years, he's lost touch of being atuned to his feelings (Again an exagge. Of course, it is never about me. It is his own journey)

My son is indeed well on his way to being a teen. We'll be marking another milestone soon like we did when he turned 7. I'm just grateful to be a part of it again. £raisingason £conurturingateenageson £motherhood £beinghome £beingthere £bliss