I'm the Parent of a Middle Schooler

Even though I can't pick him up anymore, I still think of my 11-year-old son Mr. O as being like this:
Well, that cuddly baby graduated from fifth grade yesterday. Nowadays he really he looks like this:
He's  soooo handsome in his suit. His little brother, Mr. T. cleans up nicely, too. And nope, they're not babies anymore.

We've read a bunch of books and had plenty of level-headed discussions about puberty over the past year but in August when O starts sixth grade I want to staple a sign to his forehead. It'll read, "Dear Girls: My mother said you have to ignore me so I can focus on my schoolwork."

His going to middle school also amps up all my anxieties about what happens to boys of color in America as they get older--when folks stop saying they're adorable and start being afraid of them. Sigh. 

Also, telling people I'm the mom of a sixth grader makes me sound old as heck. All the worrying--and vanity--aside, I'm just grateful I've been blessed with such a wonderful son. Grateful to get to love him and raise him to make a difference in the world. I really can't wait to see what comes next for him.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Take him to comic con and the chances of girls distracting him will all but vanish.
Anonymous said…
Both the boys are beauts.
I won't forget the first time I saw a girl flirt with my son, when he was about the age of Mr. O. Quite a shock, and a portent of things to come.
Good luck!
Jenny
Liz Dwyer said…
Shok,
It is pretty awesome! ;)

Anonymous,
Heh, he would looove that. We are already up in Golden Apple comics at least once a week. It's not helping.

Jenny,
Thanks for saying they're beautiful. I should get them in suits more often! Yeah, I think I'm in for some real surprises and changes over the next year. I'll need that good luck! ;)
Doodling said…
For what it's worth, when I was going into middle school, my mom was 45. :D And I didn't find her old then, either!
"His going to middle school also amps up all my anxieties about what happens to boys of color in America as they get older--when folks stop saying they're adorable and start being afraid of them. Sigh."

Well said...heart in my throat for my beautiful boys ages 9 and 7.
Liz Dwyer said…
Doodling,
I don't remember thinking my mom was old at that age either. The problem is our ageist society. Folks look at you differently when you tell them you have older kids. I should just start telling folks I got pregnant in high school! ;)

Caroline,
Yep, I know you know EXACTLY what I mean. Hang in there, mama.

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