Melissa Jeffcott

There is no doubt that there are some things about having a 12 year old that absolutely drive me crazy.  The iDevice addiction; the complete and overwhelming sense of injustice when they are not allowed to do something they want to; the inability to EVER hang a towel up after they have used it.  But, I have to say, there are plenty of reasons why having a 12 year old in the house is pretty ace as well. Here are my twelve reasons why I think 12 year olds rock:

1. Music tastes are evolving.  While I enjoy Uptown Funk as much as the next person, lets face it there are some pretty abysmal lyrics lurking in Top 40 pop music.  But what I am loving at the moment, is when my son excitedly tells me, “Mum, you have to hear this great song, you will love it!”  He presses play and ‘Take me out’ by Franz Ferdinand or ‘Smells like teen spirit’ by Nirvana comes booming loudly through the speakers.  I am loving how he is finding and discovering the music I have loved throughout my life without me helping him to discover it (thanks Spotify!)

2. The holiday period between finishing Primary school and starting High school is quite a magical time.  Free from the constraints of your childhood education, and yet to be hit with the expectations of secondary school.  It is a time, in the heat of Summer in Australia, to swim, play, and find a bit of independence without the looming school year bearing down on you.

3. At the age of 12, children are starting to move a little bit out of their ego, and are often keen to better understand the world we live in.  Although it can be hard to explain why bad things happen in the world (it’s not like I have all the answers), it’s also great to explore and share the amazing things that human beings do every single day on this amazing planet of ours (YouTube can be used for good not evil in this regard).

4. On a selfish note, we live very close to a shopping strip, and my son loves to go down the street by himself.  This means if I have a sudden urge for sushi, I have my own personal ordering and delivery service.  Not sure how long it will last (probably not too long I suspect) but I am sure as hell making the most of it while I can!

5. Cuddles on their terms when you least expect it.  Ask my son for a cuddle?  Forget about it. Lie on the couch watching the tennis, and allow him to snuggle up to you? Priceless.

6. With two younger sisters, my boy has his work cut out for him on occasion.  I’ve no doubt watching your sisters sing ‘Let It Go’ for the fifty gazillionth time can wear pretty thin (in fact I know it can!) However, on occasion I see him participating in a game that I know is not really his thing, but he does it to make his sisters happy, and that makes me happy, until it all usually escalates into some form of an argument (reality bites!)

7. Relationships are deepening.  NO, I am not talking about the opposite sex, we are not there yet- thank goodness! Over the past few months I have enjoyed watching the relationship between my husband and son is develop into a true mateship with mutual respect.  They cycle together regularly, and recently went camping for a couple of nights in the High country, after which my son commented that it was the experience of a lifetime.  These are the sort of memories he will keep for ever, and will hopefully help him to be a good father one day in the future.

8. You can watch more interesting movies.  Now I liked Frozen, but if I ever see another Barbie movie in my lifetime, God help me.  There are some fantastic movies that I had forgotten all about that are perfect for this age. The Princess Bride; Stand By Me; The Goonies; Ferris Bueller; The Three Amigos. It’s great revisiting an old favourite with a fresh set of eyes on the couch next to you laughing their head off.

9. He can walk the dog by himself. Good for him, good for me, good for Otto, the crazy bane of my life!

10. The energy- so, so much energy. Although it can be exhausting at time, it can also be infectious to see such joie de vivre (although I could do without the heart stopping tree climbing addiction!)

11. No longer a child, not yet a teenager.  I know it is just around the corner, but as of yet the ‘delights’ of puberty are yet to hit our household.  I am enjoying this sweet time while I can, before the air becomes clogged with the fetid stink of teenage boy!

12. I am starting to see glimpses of the adult my child will one day become.  I know we have a long way to go, and I am sure there will be some challenging times ahead.  But I also know within my heart, that my son will turn out ok. I hope and believe he will be a kind, caring and compassionate man with a great sense of fun and some awesome dance moves, and lets face it it, the world needs more men like that!

Do you or have you had a 12 year old in your house?  Or can you remember what life was like when you were 12? Let me know your thoughts in the comments…