Shut the Front Door.

There was a programme on C4 this week 'Born Naughty' looking if two children had something 'wrong' with them, to explain their behaviour, or if it was just because the parents were a bit useless?  I've often wondered this over the years, especially when I either of mine were kicking off about something or other!  However, after careful observation of some of the children I have seen since birth to now, I don't think we are born anything, but develop traits as they grow, (how and why is the big question).  One such boy has always been a thorn in my son's side since infants and was particular vile with the verbal’s this week at school that left my son in furious tears.  So much so I flipped my lid and told his mother when I thought via Facebook.  Not big, clever or wise, and my husband flicked off the Wi-Fi to stop any more. It was just years of not ever physical bullying or even banter, just mean and nasty verbal’s on and off.  The kind of sick and twisted stuff that made me think a mix of WFT / are you kidding me?  I'd just had enough of the ‘take the moral high ground/ignore them/talk it over/he's the one with the problem not you’ - blah blah blah.  But this time a line needed to be drawn.  My son was touched that I fought his corner from my corner and quite frankly gave this mother and her child what for.  My son needs to know and witness that I am there for him, no matter what, and learn more importantly some kids (and grown-ups) just need to be told to stop and shut the fuck up once in a while.  And said child has not said a peep to him since.

It's official; I I now have a teenager.

So, I've had a teenager for a few days now and now the excitement of cake, balloons and gifts has dispersed I can take it all in.  Lots has been said of the 'dreaded teenage' years already and I intend not to slip into a deluge of stereotypical cliches.  My plan is to see what happens and take it from there.  My overiding feeling is one of feeling warmth, proudness (I've decided that is a word) and quite astonished that I have this boy with size 9 feet, who has opinions about big worldy stuff and wants to go dive right into to life in general with gusto.  The same boy who still gets delight from a new packet of Wagon Wheels, who ensures his younger brother is always close and safe when out and about and who has been deeply saddened by his missing cat Jasper (4 weeks & couunting).  I love being a Mum for many reasons, some bits so far have quite frankly pissed me right off over the years and have been very tedious, but in the main I've enjoyed it and can't wait to see what the teenage years add to the mix.