I love it when they suddenly open up and want to make that connection. I'm glad you were in a place where you could hit PAUSE and take the time to hear him. So many parents are too busy, or would think that the tv show was more important than a kid that should be in bed.
I am floored that he's loving middle school. I've been having some serious discussions with my 13 yo about how middle school (7&8 here) is probably the absolute suckiest time in anyone's life. He was upset because he heard older people taking about being a teenager as 'the best time in their lives' and he was miserable so if this was the best, why bother with more? Once I assured him that everyone is miserable in middle school, that the social dynamic is so tense and hormone riddled that it's almost a physical impossibility that it go well, he was a lot happier. Being in 8th grade and just months from high school (where, we have learned, no one gives a crap if you are not in their social clique) helped a lot too. I hope Ethan can continue to navigate middle school with such a positive attitude!
Yeah, I remember starting high school we watched this video called "The best years of your life. . .so far." which actually had a more realistic take on teen years. The most developmental years, yes. Memorable? Sure. Best? I wouldn't repeat them for the world, and I had a pretty ok teenhood.
I am floored that he's loving middle school. I've been having some serious discussions with my 13 yo about how middle school (7&8 here) is probably the absolute suckiest time in anyone's life. He was upset because he heard older people taking about being a teenager as 'the best time in their lives' and he was miserable so if this was the best, why bother with more? Once I assured him that everyone is miserable in middle school, that the social dynamic is so tense and hormone riddled that it's almost a physical impossibility that it go well, he was a lot happier. Being in 8th grade and just months from high school (where, we have learned, no one gives a crap if you are not in their social clique) helped a lot too. I hope Ethan can continue to navigate middle school with such a positive attitude!
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Yeah, I remember starting high school we watched this video called "The best years of your life. . .so far." which actually had a more realistic take on teen years. The most developmental years, yes. Memorable? Sure. Best? I wouldn't repeat them for the world, and I had a pretty ok teenhood.
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