Livin' the tween life...

Between the ages of eight and thirteen, girls undergo a mysterious transformation called the tween years. Once outspoken, self-confident seven- and eight-year olds can shrivel overnight into an insecure spiral of emotions. Giggles can turn to rage and/or despair and then at warp speed, they are giggling again. These mood swings apparently are not related to hormones (says my research), but rather an awareness of girls becoming something different than they once were… an individual, if you will.

With the individualism comes a price. Little girls that aimed to always please their mothers are now sassy, "know-it-all" and "come on mom" (insert eye roll) girls. It also seems that homework takes longer… not because there is more of it, but because they can't sit still. Somehow, magically, they disappear if you leave the room for 2.3 seconds. 

Along with this new personality comes the desire for more freedom and the dreaded, "but mom, so-and-so gets to go…". 

So, what do you do when little sis still wants to share a room? Or hug? Or play school? How do we balance the mood swings and insecurities?

Since my tween likes to write, I've set up a journaling corner in the guest bedroom for her to write. She has a diary, a feelings journal and a few of her books to read. That way, big sis can still have her alone time and then go back to her room or the playroom to hang out with little sis.

As far as mood swings… well, until I can get mine under control, I'm not sure how to handle hers. One day I'll be able to offer her a glass of wine, but until then, I guess deep breaths will have to do.