Ten Year Old

My oldest is 10 and half. She fits into the category created by advertising companies as 'tween'. Kiley is a very petite girl, but suddenly seems so very tall to me. Her front teeth, which at age 8 seemed enormous, are starting to look normal. Kiley has grown much over the summer and I can already see the young woman she is turning into. I seem to frustrate her more than usual these days yet I find her clinging to me at bed time. "Mama, just come lay with me for a few minutes," Kiley will say after a day of going round and round over how much computer time is acceptable.

It is so much fun watching her develop,answering her questions about life, God, and being famous. She loves to go bike riding with me, do yard work with me, and cook on her own. Kiley keeps asking when she can get her own cell phone (ha!) and if I believe she can be famous.

I remember when I was ten and the world seemed to be stretched just out of my reach. I longed for so many things - to be 'grown-up'; to be a famous writer; to be on a stage performing 'Annie'. Simultaneously I was terrified of leaving my parents, my bedroom that I loved, and the unseen future. What an exciting time in a young person's life!

Raising a ten-year old brings back the ache of that age, and while my fearful side wants to protect her, my God-given instinct tell me I need to help her embrace growing up. I know she still has a lot of childhood left but I can also taste the teenage years headed our way.

What changes have you been noticing in your kids?