“Raising a preteen can sneak up on you. Best friends can turn into crushes?or bullies?overnight, and suddenly everything you do is soembarrassing. Connecting with someone who not so long ago was your baby and now only responds in shrugs and eye-rolls is difficult, but open, respectful communication is exactly what a preteen needs.”
Oh, I don’t want these days to come…..I know it is around the corner with an almost 12 year old and almost 10 year old twins. I also know I have to be prepared to talk about all these topics with my children. By reading Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore, I feel so much better prepared.
Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore, is divided into three sections: expected, but still surprising conversations, modern family talk, and everything in between. For me the expected, but still surprising conversations are the difficult topics. It covers “have you ever smoked marijuana, I got my period in learning lab, you and Dad do that and many more topics. Oh boy. Sue Sanders, author of Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore, handles all these topics (and more) with such a level head and great advice. She also provides all sorts of examples having gone through these events with her own daughter.
“In Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore, Sue Sanders guides by example, in 25 conversations and moments she has shared with her daughter, Lizzie. Everything is fair game:??Tell me about your mean girl.???You and Dad do that????When can I get Facebook????Do you believe in God????I got a 3 on my essay.???You wouldn’t understand?”
I think the most important thing I learned from reading Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore, is even though the conversations will mostly be awkward, keep an open mind and be honest. Being honest all the time is so important. A sense of humor may come in handy too!
Author of Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore, Sue Sanders has had her essays appear or are forthcoming in the New York Times, the Oregonian, Real Simple, Brain, Child, Parents, Family Circle, and on Salon, The Rumpus, The Morning News, and Babble, among others.
She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Jeff, and daughter, Lizzie.
Connect: You can connect with Sue online at her website.
Buy It: You can purchase Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore, online at Amazon for $14.95 ($9.99 Kindle version).
