The Surprising Similarities Between Your Middle-Schooler and a Newborn

I recall chatting with parents of older kids when my own were just babies, expressing my overwhelm. They would chuckle and say, “Just wait! It gets worse!” At the time, I thought, How challenging can it be to raise a gigantic teenager who can actually fend for themselves? Turns out, very challenging.

Here are a few ways your middle-schooler resembles a newborn:

You’re Back to Being a Hawk.

When your child is a baby, you’re constantly on high alert, making sure they don’t discover electrical outlets or tumble down the stairs. Those days of vigilance eventually fade, but just when you think you can relax, middle school hits, and you’re back to being a watchful eye. Now, instead of worrying about falls, you’re concerned about their screen time and what they’re up to on social media. Homework looms, deodorant becomes a necessity, and their room looks like a tornado hit it.

Early Mornings Are Back.

As a new parent, you’re probably familiar with the nighttime struggle and bleary-eyed mornings that start at the crack of dawn. You yearn for the day when your little one sleeps through the night and you can reclaim your evenings. Those blissful preschool years allow for a civilized wake time, but suddenly, middle school demands a 6:30 a.m. start! You thought you escaped the early wake-ups after those baby days, but here we are again. You might as well set your alarm for the next decade.

Your Grocery Bill Will Soar.

Remember the days of carefully budgeting for formula? Those were the good ol’ days. Now, your teenagers can polish off two bacon cheeseburgers as a snack and still ask what’s for dinner. Keeping these kids satisfied is a financial black hole. Fruits and veggies? They might as well be invisible to them! I dream of the days when one scoop of formula would keep them quiet for hours.

Dinner Time Is a Struggle Again.

In the early years, I was on a mission to cultivate my children’s tastes, sneaking healthy foods into their meals. But middle school seems to have erased all that effort. The cafeteria menu has morphed from veggie wraps to french toast sticks and nachos. I’ve now resorted to serving chicken nuggets and waffles daily because, honestly, I’ve given up trying to make them a gourmet lunch.

You’re Not Sure What You’re Doing.

In elementary school, homework was a breeze. Now, it’s an endless mountain of assignments. Just last week, my son asked for help with his math homework. My attempt was quickly overridden by my husband, a former high school math teacher, who declared my assistance “all wrong.” This minor dispute ended with our son bringing home an F. Welcome to the chaos of middle school—three more years of confusion await!

So, is parenting a baby or a middle-schooler more challenging? The differences are stark, but the exhaustion, confusion, and stress feel the same. For those of you with little ones, brace yourselves! The end of the tunnel might just be a long way off.

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In summary, whether you’re navigating the sleepless nights of infancy or the tumultuous years of middle school, parenting is a never-ending adventure filled with challenges and surprises.