Eleven and a Half

Twenhofel Middle SchoolEleven and a half is such a strange age.  He seems like a giant, adult-like person from a distance, and then I get closer (sometimes only when he’s sleeping), and he seems like such a little child, albeit in a body that is almost as tall as mine.

And his actions and emotions are equally dichotomous – sometimes very mature and sober, and others toddler-like and silly.  I’m sure I have a wistful, “Where did my baby go?” face, because he catches me looking at him and puts on his, “Mom, you’re looking at me weird” face.

The specter of Middle School is hitting me, because I am going to attempt to register him today.

Am I ready for this?  Is he?  It doesn’t matter because it’s happening whether we want it to or not.  He wants it to, and I…  I just want him to be happy and productive.  How many middle schoolers does that describe?  How many people want to re-live the good old days of middle school?  Very few.  I have a bit of experience with it after having taught there for almost half my life, and it is a struggle (at least in some fashion) for the great majority of the population.

I worry.  And I miss my baby.  And change is hard.  But he and I are strong people, and together with The Man, we’ll get through it.  Somehow.

2 thoughts on “Eleven and a Half

  1. We are going through the same change. Jeffery is leaving the school he has been going to for the past 5 years and moving on to middle school. It would be so easy if it were possible to leave him where he is and know he is safe. But change is part of life and we know that a change of scenery will inevitably be good for him as he meets new children and teachers and learns to adapt. That doesn’t mean we will worry less…probably more…but we have met his teacher and we think she will be good for Jeffery….We will probably be more apprehensive than he will be…But then…We usually are. 🙂

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