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30 Things to Love About Being the Mom of a Tween

By Michele Ranard

1. Barney has left the building!

2. Fewer temper tantrums at Target.

3. In-house experts for all things cyber.

4. Naughty chairs and time-outs? History.

5. Not expected to help with math homework!

6. You and your child survived the seventh grade.

7. When you sleep in, you’re still up before the kids.

8. No more diaper rash, nighttime feedings, or teething.

9. No one expects you to look young, unlined, or happy.

10. Still a hero every time you bake chocolate chip cookies.

11. Time for conversations with adults and leisurely dinners.

12. Impossible to not be aware of what is cool, hip, and trendy.

13. Freshman baseball games slightly more engaging than tee-ball.

14. Ability to shave TWO legs, as opposed to one half, in the shower.  

15. Bidding au revoir to space eating excersaucer, swing, and highchair.

16. Kids have probably outgrown ear infections and maybe even asthma.

17. Re-connecting with your inner adolescent may spell personal growth.

18. Will not have to rinse another dang sippy cup until the grandkids visit.

19. Less humiliation in restaurants, at pediatrician, and during the sermon.

20. Pocketing the cash shelled out to babysitters to now blow on pedicures. 

21. More uninterrupted minutes to read House Beautiful or Curious Parents.

22. Car seats and neon orange goldfish cracker crumbs disappear from SUV.

23. Do not require a vacation when you return home from a family vacation.

24. You have always wanted to take a course to learn how called “Tweens 101.”

25. Sharing your favorite 80s DVDs like a The Breakfast Club or Say Anything.  

26. 30-minute lunch with a friend won’t entail 30-minute packing of diaper bag.   

27. Stitches or shots may not require straight jacket or your upper body strength. 

28. No more settling for JUST lipstick or JUST mascara before heading out the door.

29. Built-in help for driving to the store for milk, cooking meals, and figuring out the remote.  

30. Living room reads slightly more chic after losing jewel-toned molded plastic playhouse. 

Michele Ranard desperately needs reminding there are things to love about parenting teens. She is the mom of two sons, a professional counselor, a math tutor, and a freelance writer.