In case you are new to this blog, I’ll tell you that I have three young daughters ages 10, 8, and 6.  You can do a little math and understand that I am on the cusp of some really rockin’ years of child development.  I remember being a girl at that age and how my sister and I went through it together.  I may go on an eight year vacation at that point, but I digress…

Anyway, I’ve recently had conversations with my oldest about “circles of drama” since she is of that age where it really starts to swirl.  I’ve just begun to dip my toes into this world of tween drama (since my own time around that block), so I’ll give you a few of my least favorite gestures and/or phrases so far.  PLEASE feel free to add yours at the end. There’s plenty of truth and humor in each of these, so enjoy.

1. I don’t care. And not even in a defiant sort of way, more of a snarky auto-pilot response when she doesn’t quite like what I say.  I have a feeling I’ll be hearing that one a lot from all three of them the next decade.
2. I didn’t mean to. Of course she meant to. It probably worked out fine except that I saw it or it was reported to me and a consequence and/or discussion will follow.
3. Well, she…. The classic deflection.  My first response is to usually say this is about you, not fill-in-the-blank-sister’s-name.  And I’ll take the privilege of asking her side of the story as well. Oh no I didn’t…
4. Whatever. Dismissive and provocative at the same time.  Usually elicits a slowly spoken calculated response by me in a remember-who-gave-birth-to-you kind of tone.
5. Ugh!/eye roll/stomping feet. If I could only do this and get away with it!  The ultimate expression of frustration and oppression.

You know, I’m a little envious at the liberties of free expression these tweens take on with little regard for the consequences.  While it’s supremely annoying and bound to give me multiple wrinkles and gray hairs, I kind of secretly wish I could communicate with such abandon yet still have people take me seriously.

Oh well, aren’t we always still working on growing up?  Like, totally.

photo credit: ansik

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From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (May 6, 2010)

From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (May 6, 2010)

    Last reviewed: 5 May 2010