Single Mom Diaries | Is It Just Me, or is Eleven a Weird Age?

My son and I have a great relationship. Since he was born, it's been just him and I -- the two of us against the world. When he was just a tiny human, he used to sneak into my bed in the dead of night; after school, he would prance to the car with a backpack bursting with treasures he couldn't wait to share, absolutely thrilled to see me. But lo and behold, the times they are a-changin'! My little dude is now eleven years old, and these days I'm catching fewer glimpses of that adorable kiddo and more of a brooding adolescent. Is it just me?

Eleven is a bittersweet age, in my opinion. It's like the age when you're stuck in the middle of childhood and adulthood, a.k.a. the old age of childhood. Too cool for kiddie stuff, but not quite ready for the grown-up world. And guess what? My son's totally feeling the struggle, poor dude. It's not just me noticing the winds of change blowing in. At 11, he's still a child, but every now and then, I catch him peeking over the fence, daydreaming about the wild lands of adolescence. Hang in there, buddy!

Like every kid at every age, he can't wait to be bigger and it frustrates him that he isn't. I have to honestly say, age eleven isn't a terrible age. To me, it's basically like being stuck in the awkward phase where you're not quite a kid anymore, but not fully a teenager either. It's like being in a weird limbo, where you're not sure whether to ask for a juice box or a fancy coffee. So, you know that amazing 10-year-old you used to have? Well, buckle up because eleven is like a light switch that goes from "awesome" to "no bueno" real quick! And guess what? Turns out I'm not alone in feeling this way. It seems like some of my mom pals are nodding in agreement on this one.

Today, my son and I had a little argument, but we're all good now. It just hit me that he's growing up and pushing the limits. Bless him, he's so determined and stubborn. Like mother, like son, right? The past few months, I've noticed this in him -- he all of a sudden knows everything. EVERY. THING. When everything goes off the rails, with all the yelling and door slamming, and the sarcasm is off the charts, I just try to take a few deep breaths to stop myself from shouting back, even though that's all I really want to do. So, after we both lost it, I just sat on the edge of his bed and I asked, "You still mad?" I said sorry for getting all worked up. He let me give him a hug, and then he admitted he was sorry too. We didn't really fix anything, but at least he felt better, and we made it through like we always do.

These chill moments really come in handy when things get rough, you know? It's a good reminder that it's okay to have those tough times when he's upset, slams the door, stays in his room, or needs space. I just gotta give him that space, and we'll both get through it.

He is still a child, even just for a little bit longer, but I do think that it is time to start preparing for the teenage eye rolls and angst. Am I ready for this? Let's face it, eleven IS a weird age. Thankfully, my kid is a total rockstar, so obviously, I adore him. But seriously, bring on 12 already!

~smy