Is your little one starting to show signs of becoming a tween? If you’re not quite sure, take a look at this handy checklist to find out! If you answer yes to fewer than eight of the items, breathe easy—you’re still in the realm of young childhood. However, if you find yourself saying yes to more than half, you might want to prepare for what’s on the horizon!
Here are some indicators you might have a tween on your hands:
- Your child now insists on ordering from the regular menu, deeming kids’ meals way too childish. They still crave the same nuggets and mac and cheese, just the fancier versions, of course, and a cookie or ice cream for dessert is a must.
- New favorites like Sam, Max, Lila, and Jake become their best pals, and they spend countless hours checking in on their latest adventures.
- The Tooth Fairy has been replaced by frequent trips to the orthodontist, which, let’s face it, is far costlier than any tooth left under a pillow.
- Animated films? Forget it! They’ve outgrown those, especially the ones you were excited to watch together.
- You’ll notice they stop calling broccoli “trees” or identifying raisins on celery as “ants on a log.” In fact, they refuse to eat both altogether.
- Toys become significantly pricier. You thought that giant Lego set was a splurge? Just wait until you’re shopping for that family data plan.
- “Mommy” morphs into a simple “Mom.”
- Suddenly, you’re not in the know anymore. Once the keeper of all wisdom, your advice gets met with resistance. Trying to outsmart them by suggesting the opposite of what you want may work sometimes—though, tweens can be a tricky bunch!
- Their shopping habits shift to stores where prices exceed what you’ve spent on yourself in an entire year.
- Their bedroom door is now mostly closed. It swings open only a few times daily—when they need food, a charger, or when you’re not around. On the bright side, you can avoid the sight of that week’s worth of laundry piled up!
- Any comment you make now gets met with eye rolls accompanied by a casual “whatever.” Just pretend you didn’t notice and retreat to your favorite corner of the living room. Repeat this mantra: “This is just a phase.”
- Sneakers seem to vanish from their feet faster than you can afford to replace them.
- The classic “It’s bedtime! Let’s see how fast you can get upstairs!” is met with a blank expression. Timing them for pajamas or chores? Forget it!
- And perhaps the hardest pill to swallow: they no longer hold your hand. It’s tough, but take heart—hugs are still acceptable (as long as they’re not in public).
So, how did you do? If you found yourself nodding along to more than half of these signs, congratulations! Take a moment for yourself, brew a cup of tea, and perhaps indulge in a marathon of your favorite shows—after all, it’s all part of the journey.
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Summary:
Recognizing the signs of your child’s transition into tweenhood can help you prepare for the changes ahead. From their evolving tastes and preferences to their shifting social circles, these indicators signal the onset of a new chapter in parenting.